How to Be Stylish While Being Casual

Co-authored by Sheila A. Anderson

Last Updated: August 20, 2024 References

Whether it’s for school, work, or a family function, many people prefer the comfort of casual clothes over more formal wear. The good news is you don’t have to sacrifice style for comfort! With a little creativity and the right eye for materials and colors, you can easily make yourself look sharp with casual wear, even if you can’t afford those high-end $99 jeans!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Looking Sharp in Casual Wear

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Know which casual items can double as “stylish.” Remember: some casual clothes, like cargo shorts, always come across as just that--casual--no matter what other fancy items you might wear with them. Learn which items are safe to choose from. Clothes that are safe to pick from include:^{[1]
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- Men: blazers; button-down shirts; t-shirts; nice jeans; chinos; tailored shorts; casual sneakers; boat shoes; loafers, brogues; boots; dress shoes.
- Women: wrap dresses; summer dresses; nice jeans; linen pants; tank tops; fitted tops; sneakers; flats; boots; low heels; sandals.^{[2]
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Develop a discerning eye. Aim to strike the perfect balance between casual and stylish. Imagine two extremes: a fancy ‘60s cocktail party and a rough-and-tumble day at the beach. When picking items to wear, imagine wearing them to both occasions. Aim for an outfit that would look slightly too relaxed and casual to fit in with the cast of Mad Men, but too nice to risk scuffing up outdoors.
- When in doubt, err on the side of fitting in more with the cocktail party folks than the beach bums.^{[3]
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Choose the right material. Avoid clothes made from fabrics that wrinkle easily, like cotton, rayon, and silk. Remember: you want to look casual but stylish, so you still want to look sharp, and varying the fabric textures adds interest to your outfits.^{[4]
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Sheila A. Anderson
Certified Image Consultant & International Branding Icon

Expert Interview. 19 July 2021} So unless you’re able to change outfits throughout the day, stick to fabrics like:^{[5]
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- Cashmere
- Denim^{[6]
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- Knit
- Leather
- Lyocell
- Polyester
- Wool
EXPERT TIP

Alena Le Blanc
Personal Stylist
Alena Le Blanc is the Personal Stylist and the Founder of Le Blanc Label. Based in San Francisco, California, Le Blanc Label is the leading personal stylist brand for sustainable style transformations. Alena and her team specialize in seasonal wardrobe refreshes, closet edits, styling for special events, travel, photoshoots, and general personal needs. Alena has been featured in podcasts including EMPOWERED BY WMN, I Am Fearless, and Mind Power Meets Mystic. Alena received her BFA in Fashion and Apparel Design from the Academy of Art University.

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Invest in well-made garments. Choose clothes made of high-quality fabrics like wool, silk, and cashmere. They last longer and exude luxury. Look for clean stitching, smooth seams, and a well-tailored fit. Focusing on clothes of this quality will help you build a personal style that conveys understated elegance.
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Wear more than one layer.^{[7]
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Sheila A. Anderson
Certified Image Consultant & International Branding Icon

Expert Interview. 19 July 2021} Rest assured: you don’t need a whole collection of individually stunning garments to impress people visually. Instead, create a more interesting look by simply layering the clothes you do have. Make them work as a team for a “sum-is-greater-than-its-parts” effect. For instance, you can layer:
- A vest or sweater over dress shirts.
- A blazer or light jacket over a t-shirt.
- Tasteful bras and bralettes under any tops or dresses that offer a glimpse underneath.^{[8]
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- Stockings, tights, or leggings under skirts and dresses.
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Use contrast to make your outfit pop. Catch people’s attention by avoiding a totally uniform appearance. Vary your look by adding one or two touches that will either stand out from the rest or juxtapose other elements. For example:
- If, say, you dress all in black, wear a pair of white shoes (or a belt, or a tie, or all three).
- Pair a skinny pair of pants with a loose-fitting top.
- Wear a tighter top or jacket with a billowy skirt or dress.^{[9]
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- Pair dark bottoms with light tops, and/or dark tops with light bottoms.^{[10]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Matching Colors

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Fill your closet with neutrals.^{[11]
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Sheila A. Anderson
Certified Image Consultant & International Branding Icon

Expert Interview. 19 July 2021} Make things easy for yourself when you’re trying to pair one piece of clothing with another. Buy lots of clothing in neutral colors so just about everything you own will match each other.^{[12]
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- Perfectly neutral colors include white, black, and gray. They are always appropriate and have an understated elegance to them.^{[13]
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- More earthy tones include camel, cream, brown, gold, navy blue, olive, and silver.
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Use accents. If you have a favorite color that you want to be known for, buy several articles in different shades. Or, if you’re less picky, buy a variety of bolder colors. Then perk your otherwise neutral outfits up with one of these articles, like wearing a bold red shirt with navy blue jeans and a black leather jacket. In addition to clothes, you can also accent your outfits with accessories like:^{[14]
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- Ties
- Belts
- Jewelry
- Suspenders
- Purses and bags
If you find neutrals too boring, go ahead and dress in something bolder. Just make sure one element of your outfit doesn’t clash with another. Be aware that even though you personally like two different colors, people are hardwired to look for harmony in colors. When you assemble an outfit, start with one article as your base color and pair other items that match.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Shopping on a Budget

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Stick to simple garments. If you need to make your clothes last, check out their construction before you buy them. Keep in mind that any extra little add-on (like unnecessary buttons, sequins, or silkscreens) is just one more thing that might fall off or fall apart. Don’t get stuck with, say, a t-shirt that looked stylish on the rack but now looks like a hand-me-down because the silkscreen flaked off! Put it back on the rack and pick out a simpler item instead.^{[15]
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- ”Simple” doesn’t have to mean “plain.” Remember: a pair of black-and-white striped pants isn’t constructed any differently than a pair of solid black pants! If you want a little more jazz in your clothes, look for items made with different prints and materials.
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Avoid clothes that need to be dry-cleaned. If budget is an issue, check the care label for each item while shopping. Only buy clothes that say, “Machine Wash.” If the care label tells you that the item needs to be dry-cleaned, put it back. Bear in mind that dry-cleaning is often pricey, so get the most wear out of your purchases by sticking to items that you can afford to wash regularly.^{[16]
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- Give your machine-wash clothes a longer life by only using cold water to wash them. Then dry them in a machine with low heat, or simply let them air-dry.
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Don’t rely on belts. There are exceptions to every rule, but beware: a cheap belt often looks cheap. Don’t spoil your casual-chic look by holding up those stunning pants with a dinky-looking belt! Only buy pants that stay up just fine on their own, even if you already have a good, quality belt at home (just in case it gets lost or ruined).^{[17]
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- If you do need a belt for pants, don’t worry about it. You’re aiming for stylish but casual, so keeping your shirt untucked is a perfect way to hide it.^{[18]
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- If you like to wear loose dresses and draw attention to your waist at the same time, wear a more form-fitting top or jacket instead of a belt.
Obviously, high heels are pretty chic, but if you are going for a more casual look, look for something else. Get more for your money with a pair of shoes that is perfectly stylish and a bit more versatile. Instead of high heels, shop for an eye-catching pair of flats, low heels, or sneakers.^{[19]
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Question

How can I look stylish and simple?

Sheila A. Anderson
Certified Image Consultant & International Branding Icon
Sheila A. Anderson is a Certified Image Consultant, International Branding Icon, and the Founder of Image Power Play, an impression management and personal branding company. With over three decades of experience, she specializes in empowering corporate professionals to raise their personal image to meet the value of their brand. Sheila is a Certified Image Consultant with The Image Resource Network and a Certified Universal Style Consultant with The Universal Style International. Sheila is a member of the C-Suite Network Advisors and the author of the book, I.C.U., The Comprehensive Guide to Breathing Life Back Into Your Personal Brand.

Sheila A. Anderson

Certified Image Consultant & International Branding Icon

Expert Answer

Keep your outfit monochromatic! Wearing the same color from head to toe automatically makes an outfit look more dressed up and stylish, even if you're in shorts and a T-shirt. Plus, you don't have to worry about any colors clashing.

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What can I wear to stand out?

Sheila A. Anderson
Certified Image Consultant & International Branding Icon
Sheila A. Anderson is a Certified Image Consultant, International Branding Icon, and the Founder of Image Power Play, an impression management and personal branding company. With over three decades of experience, she specializes in empowering corporate professionals to raise their personal image to meet the value of their brand. Sheila is a Certified Image Consultant with The Image Resource Network and a Certified Universal Style Consultant with The Universal Style International. Sheila is a member of the C-Suite Network Advisors and the author of the book, I.C.U., The Comprehensive Guide to Breathing Life Back Into Your Personal Brand.

Sheila A. Anderson

Certified Image Consultant & International Branding Icon

Expert Answer

Add extra interest with accessories. Think of them like the icing on the cake! Opt for a hat, a fun belt, or a piece of statement jewelry—it's this extra detail that will add interest to your outfit.

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What can make an outfit pop?

Sheila A. Anderson
Certified Image Consultant & International Branding Icon
Sheila A. Anderson is a Certified Image Consultant, International Branding Icon, and the Founder of Image Power Play, an impression management and personal branding company. With over three decades of experience, she specializes in empowering corporate professionals to raise their personal image to meet the value of their brand. Sheila is a Certified Image Consultant with The Image Resource Network and a Certified Universal Style Consultant with The Universal Style International. Sheila is a member of the C-Suite Network Advisors and the author of the book, I.C.U., The Comprehensive Guide to Breathing Life Back Into Your Personal Brand.

Sheila A. Anderson

Certified Image Consultant & International Branding Icon

Expert Answer

Playing around with fabric texture can really make an outfit pop. For instance, nubby fabrics tend to be more casual, while shiny materials are considered dressier. Try pairing a shiny top with jeans to instantly dress up your look!

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