Casual events are a great time to let loose and have fun. There’s no need to dress up in your best clothes or spend hours getting ready for a casual event. This doesn’t mean that you can wear just anything, however. It’s still important that your clothes fit the occasion so you don’t come off as disrespectful or inappropriate.
Here are some tips for men on how to dress for a casual event.
Make Sure You Are Comfortable
At a casual event, you should feel comfortable in the clothes you are wearing and they should be easy to move around in. The most basic rule of fashion is: if it doesn’t feel good on your skin or makes you break out, don’t wear it. A loose-fitting cotton T-shirt and cargo shorts can look just as chic as an expensive designer shirt paired with tailored pants.
The Trending Man notes that you can easily wear casual attire while still looking put together by wearing a dress shirt without any ties or clip-ons. You’ll want to tuck it in and roll up your sleeves, but what’s underneath will remain hidden from view. Pair this with some nice jeans and a leather belt, and accessorize with your favorite watch.
Avoid Anything That’s Too Tight or Too Short
Casual fashion should be a little less formal than business attire. Avoid anything too tight, too short, or too bright. This way, other people will feel comfortable interacting with you. If your shirt is too tight, it can be distracting to those around you. Similarly, if your pants are too tight, it’s going to be difficult for you to move around freely.
Finally, anything that is too short will show off a little more skin than what may be appropriate in a casual setting. Some great casual looks include dark jeans with a T-shirt or button-down shirt. Another option is to pair khakis with a dress shirt. You can even wear shorts without looking like you’re going to the beach, if paired with the right shirt and shoes.
Avoid Wearing Anything With Logos or Text
If you’re going to a casual event, don’t wear anything that shouts the logo of the company you work for or anything else that is emblazoned across it. Similarly, avoid anything with large brand logos or text. This is not the time to wear your favorite graphic T-shirt with the fun, quirky phrase. It can be a little distracting, and it doesn’t really fit in with a more casual setting. If there are any logos on your clothes, try to avoid them being visible from both the front and the back.
Instead, go with a simple pattern like stripes. Stripes are perfect to wear when you want to go casual because they look sharp and professional, but still feel relaxed and comfortable.
Go for Earth Tones
A good rule of thumb for dressing for a casual event is to wear earth tones. Earth tones are the colors that you see on the ground. Think browns, greys, navy blue, and khaki green. These are all flattering colors to wear when you’re trying to dress casually. You can also mix these colors with other earth tones like dark greenish browns or light beige browns.
Natural fibers are great for going natural too. Clothes made of cotton will be easy to wear and stay comfortable at any temperature.
Keep Your Clothing Neat and Tidy
If you don’t want to look overdressed during a casual occasion, you should ensure your clothes are tidy and neat. This includes tucking in your shirt, wearing shoes that match the event’s dress code, keeping your hair brushed off of your face and neckline so you don’t look like you just woke up, and even making sure to wear matching socks if they’re showing.
Choose Between Sneakers or Leather Loafers
Sneakers or leather loafers are appropriate for casual occasions, and most men own at least one of each. The first question to ask is whether you are required to dress up for the occasion (such as a wedding). If so, then it’s probably best to go with leather loafers because they’re typically considered more formal and can be worn with either pants or slacks.
If not, then it’s up to personal preference. There are many occasions where a more dressy shoe is not required, such as meeting your significant other for lunch or an early dinner date. Sneakers are also great for walking in the park on Saturday morning before brunch with friends, and shopping trips.
Get Your Casual Look Together
Dressing casual is easy, but it can take some time to get the look right. The outfit has a few key parts: jeans, chinos or khakis, paired with a dress/button-down shirt or T-shirt, and casual shoes. From there, you just need a jacket or blazer and potentially a sweater if it’s chilly. If you are not sure, always ask what others plan to wear to determine what will be appropriate.
