How to Be Casual

Co-authored by Ashley Kahn

Last Updated: October 29, 2022 References

Being casual can mean a lot of things depending on whether you’re referring to having a casual physical appearance, attitude, or dating style. If you’re casual in appearance, you may dress more comfortably and wear t-shirts, leggings, and/or denim. Those with a casual attitude may have a carefree, relaxed, laid-back attitude and approach to most situations. Casual dating typically involves easy-going, fun interactions without the pressure of commitment or emotional investment. To be more casual overall, try to dress, act and think, and/or date more casually.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Dressing Casual

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Take advantage of Casual Friday at work. Friday at the office can be a great opportunity to hone your casual dressing skills if, of course, your company declares Fridays a casual day for dress. Men can try wearing dark jeans with a wool blazer and loafers. Women can take advantage of Casual Friday by wearing dark denim jeans or a skirt and a nice blouse.^{[1]
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- If it's really nice out, you could wear a nice pair of shorts. There are a lot of varieties you can try, from Bermuda and jean shorts to leather and 5 in (13 cm) shorts.^{[2]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Ashley Kahn
  Wardrobe Stylist
  Expert Interview. 30 September 2020.}
2
Try out a “smart casual look” at the office. The key to dressing smart casual is a chic ensemble that looks put together. Women can try a skirt and jacket over a brightly colored blouse accessorized with unique jewelry and a pair of closed toe pumps. Men can pair dressy slacks with brightly colored or patterned shirts and ties, topping off the look with a sports coat or jacket and a pair of monk-strapped shoes or loafers.^{[3]
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- Go for a layered look that doesn't show too much skin, like a blazer paired with jeans or slacks.^{[4]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Erin Micklow
  Professional Stylist
  Expert Interview. 23 April 2019.}
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3
Wear a “business casual” outfit to work. Men can rock the “business casual” look by wearing shirts and sweater in a variety of patterns and colors paired with slacks or corduroy pants and elegant, yet relaxed shoes. Women can try fashionable combinations of skirts, tops, vests, and slacks with closed or even open toe shoes.^{[5]
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4
Look casual yet put together on the weekends. Dressing casually on the weekends doesn’t have to mean sweatpants and an old t-shirt. Women can dress casually on the weekends and still look put together by pairing distressed denim skirts or jeans with more refined pieces such as a nice handbag and coat. Men can try wearing nice jeans and a V-neck shirt topped with a sweater or sports coat.
- For a more dressy casual look, pair some skinny or straight jeans with some heels, a cami, an oversized blazer, and some statement earrings or a statement necklace.^{[6]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Ashley Kahn
  Wardrobe Stylist
  Expert Interview. 30 September 2020.}
- Wear plenty of layers if the weather is inconsistent. For instance, you could pair a shirt with blue jeans and layer a lightweight cardigan over top.^{[7]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Ashley Kahn
  Wardrobe Stylist
  Expert Interview. 30 September 2020.}
5
Try out an athleisure look. It is becoming increasingly acceptable to don your athletic wear on a regular basis as long as you’re not wearing it to work. Make sure you keep up with seasonal trends and accessorize appropriately. For example, you can try wearing leggings with a long sweater and a scarf.^{[8]
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- If you are a student, be sure to consult your school’s dress code before wearing certain athleisure items to class.
6
Wear comfortable fabrics. The key here is opting for fabrics that move with you, such as denim that contains spandex. This is a way to stay comfortable while looking great - you can be casual and comfortable while still looking put together. Try wearing stretchy jeans with your favorite comfy sweater and then accessorizing with a nice pair of earrings. You’ll come off as cool and casual while still feeling good in your clothes.
- Always buy a size down when you're shopping for stretchy pants. It's easy to stretch out materials like lycra, spandex, and elastane to a point where they don't fit you anymore.^{[9]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Ashley Kahn
  Wardrobe Stylist
  Expert Interview. 30 September 2020.}

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Having a Casual Attitude

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Don’t take yourself too seriously. If you want to develop a casual attitude it’s important to not take yourself too seriously. Keep your sense of humor when unexpected things happen in your life and remember that you are a tiny fish in a big ocean. Your problems today will likely seem less important tomorrow.
2
Go with the flow. This is especially important in group settings. If you want to have a casual attitude around friends, family, and even your co-workers, it’s important to go with the flow of the group. For example, if you are going to the movies with friends and everyone but you wants to see a certain flick, don’t push the issue. See the movie your friends want to see this time.
- Be careful to not be a pushover. Being casual doesn’t mean that you have to always agree with others. It’s okay to rock the boat and politely disagree when necessary.
3
Try to relax. Part of having a casual attitude is learning how to slow down and relax. Instead of treating every minor mishap as a life-altering event, try to look at things in a broader perspective. Try breathing deeply when something unwanted occurs in your life instead of letting it ruin your day.
- Feeling internally grounded and relaxed can help you develop a casual attitude. Practices like meditation can teach you to be mindful, peaceful, and take on challenges with greater ease.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Being Casual about Dating

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Be clear about your intentions. If you’re interested in dating someone casually as opposed to committing to a monogamous relationship, be sure you are clear about these intentions with the man or woman you are dating. Try saying, “Mark, I really enjoy spending time with you but I am not in a place for a serious, committed relationship. Can we keep it casual?”
2
Make sure you are both on the same page. It’s key that everyone’s on the same page about being in a casual relationship. Once you’ve made your intentions clear, talk with the other person about what is and what is not permissible in your casual relationship. You can try sitting down with them and making a list – paper or mental – of dos and don’ts such as sleeping with other people.^{[10]
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3
Refrain from meeting each other’s friends and family. If you are involved in a casual relationship you shouldn’t be making the emotional investment of spending time with the important people in each other’s lives. Meeting and hanging out with someone’s best friends or parents should be reserved for a serious, committed relationship.
4
Always practice safe sex. You should always practice safe sex and this is especially important if you are involved in a casual relationship where one or both of the partners may be having sex with other people. A sexually transmitted disease or unwanted pregnancy are the last things most casual daters want to deal with. Make sure you and your partners are using protection each and every time you have sex, which includes oral sex.^{[11]
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