Casual dress code for men is perhaps men’s best chance to express a true sense of personal style.
Whether you prefer something sleek or rugged, upscale or down-to-earth, men’s casual wear is an open invitation to dress in what feels most comfortable to you.
Rather than focusing on formalities, dressing casually is about finding the right balance between comfort, individuality, and style - think fashionable yet functional outfits.
For more, explore our guides to the capsule wardrobe for men, types of suits for men, and casual dress code for women.
Keeping it casual
The freedom and flexibility of the casual dress code can be a little overwhelming. Most men will thus tend to retreat into the default foolproof outfit: jeans, a t-shirt, and a cool pair of sneakers. But you will see later in this article that there are more subtleties to spice up your casual look.
We know, understanding all of the style nuances can seem daunting which is why we decoded some of the most common dress codes for men (goodbye sartorial nightmares!), starting with the most casual and working our way up to the most formal.
Where casual falls on the dress code ladder
Casual is the second rung of the men’s dress code ladder. Loungewear is one step below it and smart casual one step above. The rungs above that add polish until you reach black tie.
One step down, our guide to men’s loungewear covers what you can wear out of the house without getting changed. One step up, our smart casual dress code guide for men adds a collar, better trousers and the option of a blazer. Above that come business casual and business professional.
What is the Casual wear?
Not a specific dress code per se, Casual wear is loosely defined as “anything traditionally considered inappropriate for more formal occasions.”
Casual wear is relaxed, with the right amount of elegance and laid back and suited for everyday use. Casual clothes typically blend personal comfort and individuality – since you have to mix and match different garments to create your unique look.
Experiment and discover what works best for you. You can, quite literally, wear what you want (except maybe if you are thinking of running errands in your couch potato wear).
If there are no strict rules and few limits, there still are style guidelines for Casual clothes worn outside of the privacy of your home, however. Sweatpants, gym shorts, flip-flops and the T-shirt you sleep in read as clothes for the sofa. An invitation that says casual still expects you to have got dressed.
Casual isn’t smart casual either. Smart casual raises the floor with a collar, tailored trousers and leather shoes, and it often adds a blazer. Casual lets you keep the T-shirt and the sneakers.
Whether you choose to keep it simple or are feeling a little adventurous, Casual can be interpreted slightly differently depending on the situation and venue. This leaves you with the difficult task of figuring out what to wear to find the sweet spot between overdressed and underdressed.
One venue rewrites the rules outright. A hotel or a cruise line prints its own code and enforces it at the restaurant door, and the hoodie, the graphic tee and the gym sneaker that all pass as casual here fail there. Our guide to resort casual attire sets out exactly what gets through and what gets you turned away.
When in doubt, you should always subscribe to the golden rule that it’s always better to be overdressed than to be underdressed whatever the occasion may be.
Six casual outfits for men
Each look below is a complete outfit, photographed on a real man, with four pieces you can buy to put it together. Swap any of them for something you already own in the same color and cut, and the outfit still works.
Casual outfit for work
A relaxed office or a casual Friday wants one thing from you: proof that you could walk into a meeting without warning. A crisp white shirt does that on its own, and it’s the piece that keeps a casual work outfit from sliding toward the weekend.
Wear it open at the collar, and leave it untucked when the hem ends at mid-zip. Navy trousers in a linen and cotton blend keep the look relaxed without looking like jeans. Espresso suede loafers and a steel watch finish it, and none of the four pieces would look out of place under a blazer if the day changes.
Casual weekend outfit
The weekend is where the jeans and sneakers come out, and it’s where they need help. A grey half-zip sweater in cable-knit wool and cashmere does the work a hoodie can’t, because it keeps its shape all day and still looks soft.
Polo Ralph Lauren’s straight jeans in a mid blue wash sit under it without fuss. Add a clean white leather sneaker such as Amberjack’s The Court, and throw Alpha Industries’ MA-1 bomber over the top when the afternoon cools. The bomber’s sage nylon goes with the grey knit and the blue denim alike.
Casual dinner or date outfit
Dinner is where casual quietly smartens up. Keep the jeans and go dark. Black denim reads as evening, and Acne Studios cuts its 1996M regular through the leg, so it falls cleanly over a boot.
On top, a burgundy cashmere half-zip from Lisa Yang adds color without asking for attention. Koio’s Trento suede Chelsea boot and a reversible Tom Ford nubuck belt in caramel tie the browns together. It takes no more effort to put on than a hoodie and jeans.
Casual wedding or daytime event
A daytime wedding marked casual is a tricky invitation. You can’t wear a suit without looking overdressed, and you can’t wear jeans without looking like you forgot what day it was.
Light tailoring is the answer. An unstructured navy blazer has no stiff shoulder pads and only a half lining. It wears like a cardigan and still reads as a jacket in photos. Wear it with beige linen trousers from Brunello Cucinelli and a white or pale shirt open at the neck. Brunello Cucinelli’s brown suede penny loafers go without socks in summer, and Randolph’s Aviator handles the sun at the ceremony. If the invitation says smart casual rather than casual, that’s the moment to add a tie, and our smart casual guide shows you how.
Casual summer outfit
Heat is where plenty of men give up on casual and slide into gym clothes. A piqué polo and tailored linen shorts keep you cool without looking like you came from a run.
Frescobol Carioca’s Luca polo in ash green is cotton piqué, and its Felipe shorts in sand are linen. Depending on the occasion and climate, shorts can be appropriate, but they should be in high-quality fabrics and fit you well, finishing just above the knee. Quince’s leather fisherman sandal covers the feet without exposing your toes to the whole terrace, and a LIV GX-Diver’s 44mm in steel won’t mind the pool.
Casual winter outfit
Winter casual is a layering problem, and the fix is to build from the inside out. Start with a navy quarter-zip from Robert Graham over a T-shirt. It’s thin enough to wear under a coat and smart enough to keep on indoors.
Over it goes Alpha Industries’ N-3B parka, a hooded parka in the brand’s heritage line. Finish with M.Gemi’s Niccolo suede Chelsea boot and a navy Loro Piana cashmere beanie. Dark jeans or chinos underneath, and you’re dressed for anything from a market to a ski-town bar.
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Casual men wardrobe basics: the essentials to perfect your look
The Casual style is very much influenced by trends, from high street to high end. But if you want to future-proof your casual wardrobe, there are a few timeless pieces that every man should own.
Casual wear usually revolves around a set of basics and classic essentials that form the building blocks of your personal style.
From casual pants like well-fitted jeans or chinos to casual button-down shirts and sneakers, we’ve round-up here those essentials that you can mix and match to maximize the potential of your wardrobe staples. For a full build from scratch, our capsule wardrobe for men goes piece by piece.
Denim jeans
The backbone of the casual outfit since the 1950s, great-fitting jeans can easily be dressed up or toned down.
If you want to project a more polished appearance, opt for a quality pair of jeans in straight-leg styles and a dark wash.
For a more laid-back, off-duty look, go for cuts in lighter hues. Whatever style you choose, denim is always a failsafe go-to style that you can take in many different directions.
Casual T-shirts
Inherently casual, T-shirts are an essential part of any man’s basic wardrobe. The humble T-shirt is easy to wear, subtly stylish, and as versatile as it gets - it can be worn with anything, even dressed-up tailoring.
For your T-shirt, the rule is to keep it simple. Opt for classic crew-neck cotton T-shirts in plain colors. White, navy, black, and grey are good starting points.
You can spice up your casual outfit with some bold patterns, styles, and designs if you want. But always make sure to find the right fit for your body type. You want a T-shirt that hugs your body but doesn’t look like a second skin. There is nothing worse than unflattering cuts.
Polo shirts
One level of formality above the T-shirt, the Polo shirt is another essential in your wardrobe.
You can’t go wrong when dressing casually if you combine a premium pair of jeans with a polo shirt. You don’t need to spend a lot of money on a good polo shirt but you do need to make sure that it fits your body type.
That said, there are a few premium polo shirts that are absolutely beautiful with high-quality materials and cuts. So if you want to spend more on a luxury polo, you absolutely can.
Casual long- or short-sleeved shirts are essential when you want to look a little sharper. For a more relaxed look, you can unbutton and roll the cuffs. A white classic shirt is a foundation. Make sure that the collar looks good when left open to the third button but also when fully buttoned up.
Chinos
Chinos are an excellent style item to mix things up from time to time. The same upper outfit worn with chinos instead of your jeans will instantly change your overall appearance.
Invest in the right cut in classic colors such as khaki, navy, and beige which are easy to match. Comfortable and stylish, chinos also can help you achieve a smart casual look. Chinos are also perfect for occasions with ambiguous dress codes, especially the smart casual and business casual styles.
Casual knitwear
Casual knitwear is another perfect item to mix things up from time to time. Both stylish and easy to throw on, knitwear is a basic essential of any man’s casual wardrobe.
Wear your casual knitwear as an outer layer or underneath a lightweight jacket. Opt for a cut that works well both with your shirts and T-shirt to give you more combination options.
Casual jackets
A lightweight jacket is a fashionable finishing touch that can add plenty of individuality to a relaxed look. It’s one of the items in your wardrobe that will stay with you for years, so it’s worth investing in a high-quality model. We like jackets so much that we dedicated an entire guide to men bomber jackets.
Our advice is to stick to the classics that won’t go out of style after six months.
Casual footwear
It’s important to put your best foot forward even when dressing casually. Luckily, the luxury sneaker market has seen astounding growth over the past few years with new high-end sneakers being released every month. Check our in-depth guide to men’s sneakers to help you find the perfect pair.
For a ‘classic’ look, wear white sneakers that can be worn with virtually every style – go for leather if you want a more polished look.
Don’t limit yourself to sneakers only, however. There are many other casual footwear alternatives such as boat shoes, desert boots, and loafers for smarter looks.
Accessories and accents
Accessories are perfect to add a touch of personality to your casual outfit and enhance your overall look. You can stay consistent with accessories that will support your look or go completely in the opposite direction to create your own unique style. Think of a high-end watch with your most casual outfit or a dressed-down belt with your premium denim.
Seasonal swaps
The same casual outfit works all year if you swap three or four pieces with the weather. In summer, trade the oxford for a linen shirt and the cotton T-shirt for linen jersey. In winter, add a quilted jacket and swap sneakers for a suede desert boot.
What to wear and what to skip
A streetwear staple, the hoodie is a great layering piece to keep you warm or add an edgy attitude and athleisure vibe to your casual outfits. To avoid looking sloppy, go with premium fabric and finishing and pair your hoodie with sleek pants. The same thinking runs through the whole list below: the relaxed version of a piece is fine, the sloppy version isn’t.
Do
- Wear dark jeans when you're not sure how dressy the evening will be.
- Choose leather or suede sneakers over running shoes.
- Tuck a shirt in when its hem falls below your back pocket.
- Wear a watch, even with a T-shirt.
- Get your jeans and chinos hemmed so they break once or not at all.
Don't
- Wear gym clothes outside the gym. Choose joggers in a smart knit for the same comfort.
- Wear a slogan tee to anything with a host. Choose a plain tee in a heavier cotton.
- Wear ripped jeans to dinner. Choose a dark wash with no distressing.
- Wear flip-flops in town. Choose a leather sandal or an espadrille.
- Wear anything wrinkled or stained. Iron the shirt and check the knit before you leave.
| Swap this | For that |
|---|---|
| A hoodie | A knit polo or a fine crew-neck sweater |
| Running shoes | White leather sneakers |
| Athletic shorts | Tailored chino or linen shorts |
| A graphic tee | A plain heavyweight T-shirt |
| A fleece | A bomber or a field jacket |
| Flip-flops | Leather sandals or espadrilles |
| Ripped jeans | Dark, straight jeans |
7 Pro style tips and basic principles to rock the casual look
We’ve reached out to a panel of expert stylists and fashion advisers to ask for their recommendations on the casual dress style. Here are their tips to help you look great when dressing casually:
- Start with your goals. This will form the backbone of your style. Do you want to project an air of assurance? Do you want to show that you care about an occasion and dressed up accordingly? Or do you prefer to prioritize comfort first and foremost?
- Dress accordingly. Pick an outfit that will help you achieve your goals.
- A few timeless items are worth investing more in. Some items in your wardrobe won’t last for more than a season. You shouldn’t spend too much on those. But others will stay with you for years. That’s the case with a premium bomber jacket, high-end sneakers, or a luxury watch, for example. Decide which pieces you want to keep and invest in quality over quantity.
- Cover your bases. When starting to build up your wardrobe, begin first with neutral colors such as black, white, navy, tan, grey and brown for your outfit. Those are all easy to mix and match and will never go out of fashion.
- Elevate and personalize your look with one or two items. Once you have the foundations of your style in place, you can add your own personality to your outfit by playing with luxurious fabrics such as silk or cashmere and bolder colors. These should be reserved for your accessories such as your belt, watch strap, socks, etc.
- Consider the occasion before selecting your casual outfit. Whatever your own personal style is, you should always pay close attention to your environment and social context. Understand what is expected and then design your outfit according to your goals.
- Always look for the right fit. There is nothing more saddening than seeing a man pulling out the right style with the wrong fit. It will completely ruin your efforts if your clothes are overly tight and uncomfortable or too baggy and sloppy. If you invest time defining your style, make sure that the execution is right.
Casual brands to know
When shopping for new clothes, you should always decide first what you want and then look for the best items to complete your look. That said, a few brands never seem to disappoint our style editors. Polo Ralph Lauren is the quintessential premium American casual style brand, from its iconic polo shirts to its relaxed chinos. Tom Ford stands for the ultimate mix of bold design and refined fabrics. Check also our list of the most popular luxury brands for more inspiration.
Casual or smart casual?
If the invitation says casual, everything on this page is fair game. If it says smart casual, keep the dark jeans and the loafers, put the T-shirt away, and reach for a collar and a jacket. Our smart casual dress code guide for men takes it from there.
Casual dress code for men: Frequently asked questions
Are jeans OK for casual dress?
Are ripped jeans casual?
What's considered casual attire?
What is the 3-3-3 rule for men's clothing?
What is the difference between casual and smart casual?
What shoes count as casual for men?
What is comfortable casual attire?
What should men wear in the office?
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