How to Dress Casual Chic

Co-authored by Nejla Renee

Last Updated: September 15, 2021

Casual chic is not so much a style as an attitude towards fashion. It allows you to look stylish and laid-back without looking too "done-up." It is great for getting together with friends, going out on errands, and casual parties. Wear casual chic anywhere you want to look good, but still save yourself hours of effort (or bundles of cash).

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Choosing Tops

1
Think about wearing layers, not individual pieces. Layering is a key tip in pulling off street-style. Carefully chosen basics are powerful fashion staples because you can combine them in many different ways. A nice t-shirt or tank top may not be much on its own, but throw on a nice blazer or cardigan and you'll be getting somewhere. Remember: casual chic is about being relaxed but still stylish, and layering allows you to feel comfortable but still mix and match unique styles.
- 1-2 nice, light jackets can allow you to wear your t-shirts out to many occasions and still look good.
2
Aim for neutral colors. Blacks, grays, whites, and tans are your friends here – they can be easily mixed and matched with other colors and accessories. Casual chic isn't so much about making an eye-popping statement as it is about looking relaxed and comfortable with your style. Using muted or neutral colors as your base opens you up for bigger splashes of color down the road.

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3
Get a few nice t-shirts. While you don't want to wear your old lacrosse warm-up shirt, a few nice graphic tees are essential to casual chic. Make sure they don't have any stains, that they fit you well, and that they haven't become discolored with age. Tees can be easily mixed and matched with other pieces, and the logos or designs can be tailored to fit your interests.
- You can also learn to dress up your t-shirts in interesting ways that show off even more of your personality.
4
Invest in some jackets, sweaters, and overlayers. Not only does this allow you to look casual chic all year, it gives you the chance to personalize and "upgrade" your tees and tanks quickly and easily.
- A sweater, usually bigger or baggier is better.
- A denim shirt/jacket
- A flannel shirt
- A form-fitting blazer in white or gray.
- 2-3 cardigans in various colors.
5
Try out some button-up shirts. Button ups are great because they look dressed-up, but can still be worn completely casually. Try to find one that fits your well and open up the top 1-2 buttons. You can leave it untucked with a nice pair of jeans and touch it up with an accessory or two for effortless casual chic.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Choosing Bottoms

1
Invest in a good, well-fitting pair of jeans. Jeans are at the top of the list when it comes to essential casual chic clothing. A good pair of jeans is comfortable and hugs your hips and backside, but searching for the perfect pair isn't always easy. Everyone is a different body shape, so when you're trying on jeans from different companies, you should consider trying on a pair a size up and a size down from the one you normally where.
- Once you've got your pair of nice denim jeans, look into dark-wash or black jeans. You can use these to slightly "dress up" your casual chic.
2
Find 2-3 skirts that you love. Pair them with leggings or simply wear them alone for a simple and comfortable look. As with tops, you should aim for mostly neutral colors, though a few popping patterns can be paired wonderfully with a neutral top and/or a nice baggy sweater.
3
Think about leggings. Both comfortable and versatile, leggings go great with a long, flowing shirt or even a shorter dress. Having the leggings not only makes the outfit more comfortable, it downplays some of the "showy" aspects of the dress to make it seem more casual.
4
Try out distressed pants. Light wear and tear will definitely get across the idea of casual, opening you up to wear a nice top to bring in the "chic." A lot of casual chic is about mixing and matching "classy" clothes with a more laid-back, comfortable piece, and distressed pants and shorts (like white/beige cutoffs) are a great place to start
5
Wear shorts in nice weather. Jean shorts, cutoffs, and even the occasional pair of nice running shorts can all look good when the weather is getting toasty. Again, aim for pieces that are easy to mix and match: beige, white, tan, denim, and black all pair well with a variety of tops.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Shoes and Accessories

1
Aim to wear more flats. You can still wear heels for casual chic, but flats are a more comfortable option that can still boast a lot of style. Some shoes to try include:
- A pair of black-heeled pumps.
- A pair of beige ankle booties
- A pair of strappy sandals in a color of your choice
- A pair of brown leather or suede boots.
- A pair of nice sneakers or Converse high-tops.
2
Make the outfit pop with 1-2 accessories. Casual chic enables you to combine the most comfortable clothes from your wardrobe and do a little mix-and-match with accessories. The best accessories include simple everyday items such as sunglasses, hats, scarves, belts, and purses/bags/totes. Some suggestions include:
- Layered gold necklaces.^{[1]
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  Expert Source
  
  Nejla Renee
  Fashion Stylist & Image Consultant
  Expert Interview. 18 May 2020.}
- Simple gold studs or tiny hug earrings.^{[2]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Nejla Renee
  Fashion Stylist & Image Consultant
  Expert Interview. 18 May 2020.}
- 1-2 scarfs in semi neutrals, i.e. blue,burgundy.
- A oversized black leather handbag
- A cream envelope clutch
- A pair of golden framed mirrored aviator sunglasses, or a pair of regular large black sunglasses.
3
Get a little bling in your life. You can also take jewelry, even basic rings, bracelets, and necklaces, and use them to give subtle accents to your outfit. Casual chic doesn't need to look expensive, so don't worry about getting a $350 necklace to look good.
4
Care for your hair. The beauty of casual chic is that you don't have to put hours of work into a hairstyle. Take care of your hair with daily conditioner and regular washing – this should be enough. Try putting your hair in a sleek ponytail, half up, in a loose bun – or just leave it down. You can keep it straight, curly, or wavy, but make sure that it isn't frizzy.
5
Wear the right style of makeup. If you are going to look casual, your makeup needs to be casual as well. Use tinted moisturizer or light coverage foundation to make your skin look dewy/glowing. Apply light foundation, a little bit of powder (if you need it), bronzer, white shimmer (to put in the corner of your eyes and to highlight the brow bone), and a touch of mascara.
- Again, you don't need to go overboard. Simply touch up your facial skin and elongate your eyelashes a bit to look casual but put-together.

Community Q&A

Question

How does a 68-year-old dress casual chic?

Community Answer

Some ideas are a neutral tee, colored jeans, booties or knee-high boots. Same as a young person, just don't be too showy.

Warnings

Don't overdo it and go too slobbish. Tracksuit bottoms, trainers and a tank isn't chic, it's too casual. Neither is mini skirt, halter top, strappy heels, which is more of a clubbing outfit more often than not.

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