How to Dress Classy but Casual

Co-authored by Susan Kim

Last Updated: October 21, 2021 References Approved

Dressing classy doesn’t mean that you have to wear formal clothing. You can incorporate classy elements into your everyday look. No matter what your personal style is, look for well-fitting, quality clothing. Mix dressy and casual styles to assemble a composed but laid-back look. The right accessories can tie together the outfit.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Choosing the Right Clothing

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Choose clothes that fit your body well. Well-fitting clothing will naturally make you look more stylish and put-together. Make sure that the clothing isn’t too tight or loose in certain areas of your body. Knowing your body type can help you pick styles and cuts that fit your body comfortably.^{[1]
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- If you have clothing that is too large or long in some areas, you can pay a tailor to take it in. Tailored clothing can make your outfit look like it was made for you.
- Always try clothes on before buying them. If you order your clothing online, make sure to try the outfit on before you wear it out.
2
Buy well-made and high-quality clothing. Well-made clothing will usually fit your body and appear more elegant than cheaply made styles. When you buy the clothing, check for any loose stitches or stains.^{[2]
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- Well-made clothing often costs more, but you can also shop at thrift stores, vintage stores, and online secondhand fashion sites to find less expensive quality clothing.
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Select pieces made out of high-quality fabrics. The tag on the clothing will tell you what it is made out of. Choose fabrics that are meant to last, such as cotton, wool, leather, linen, and silk. Avoid synthetic fabrics like polyester or rayon.^{[3]
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Look for timeless clothing that won’t fall out of fashion. Classy clothing tends to include styles that last for generations. While you can still wear trendy styles, make sure you have plenty of basics in your wardrobe as well. Some great, classic styles include:^{[4]
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- Slacks and skirts
- Collared shirts like polos, oxford shirts, and dress shirts
- A-line dresses
- Blazers
- Jeans
- Cardigans and pullover sweaters
- Prints like horizontal stripes, gingham, paisley, plaid, and argyle
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Choose neutral colors that you can mix and match. Neutrals are colors that go with just about anything. They include black, white, brown, khaki, and navy blue. Neutral colors can help your casual wardrobe appear polished and timeless. They will help you create many different outfits while still remaining laid-back and casual.
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Go for sweaters and cardigans instead of hoodies and sweatshirts. While hoodies and sweatshirts have their place, they are generally not as classy as a nice pullover or button-up sweater. A nice, well-fitting sweater can dress up any casual clothing.^{[5]
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- Cardigans are a great option to wear over a-line dresses, a shirt and tie, or a pair of khaki trousers.
- Pullover sweaters look very classy when worn over a collared shirt.
- Other classy options for outerwear include leather jackets, crewneck or V-neck sweaters, sweater vests, pea coats, and blazers.
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Choose dark washes of jeans over light washes. Faded or light wash jeans may appear more worn than dark wash jeans. You can get denim in dark blue, black, or other dark neutral shades.^{[6]
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Avoid ripped, deconstructed, or worn clothing. The trick to looking casual and classy is to make sure that your clothing appears clean, unwrinkled, and in good condition. While ripped or deconstructed styles may be trendy, they may not be the classiest option for casual wear.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Creating Classy and Casual Outfits

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Dress up a pair of jeans with a nice top. Jeans are versatile pieces of clothing. They can be casual or dressy depending on what you pair them with. Wearing a well-fitting pair of jeans with a button-up shirt or printed blouse is perfect for almost any occasion.^{[7]
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- Great casual shirts to wear with jeans include flannel button-ups, henley shirts, breton tops, and peasant shirts.
- You can look classy in a t-shirt and jeans as long as the shirt is well-fitting, clean, and unwrinkled. Look for t-shirts with simple designs instead of logos or brands.
2
Put on neutral slacks with a dress shirt for a business casual look. Business casual usually requires a relaxed professional outfit. The go-to outfit is typically a pair of slacks in a neutral color, such as khaki, navy blue, or black. This is worn with a nice dress shirt. If you want, add a cardigan or blazer on top.^{[8]
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- Examples of a nice dress shirt include collared button-up shirts, crewnecks, ruffled blouses, cashmere sweaters, and vests.
- Women can also wear skirts or modest dresses.
- Ties are typically optional for business casual, but they will help add an extra classy edge to your outfit.
- Alternatively you can try to dress up a shirt that is a little too much on the casual side.
3
Wear modest shorts and a t-shirt for a summer look. If it is hot outside, you can still rock the classy but casual look. Shorts should reach at least your mid-thigh. T-shirts or tank tops, on the other hand, should fit slightly loose without being too low-cut.^{[9]
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- Colorful shorts are a great way to add a bit of summer flair to your outfit. Try salmon, aqua blue, red, or olive green shorts.
- Classy shirts that go well with shorts include polos, linen shirts, and v-neck tees.
4
Layer a coat over a well-fitting sweater and shirt when it is cold. Layers keep you warm in the winter. Wear a thin undershirt or long-sleeved shirt. Pull a nice-looking sweater over it. When you go out, make sure you have a heavy coat on top.^{[10]
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- Nice sweaters to wear casually include crew neck sweaters, v-necks, zip necks, and cowl sweaters. These go well with long-sleeved shirts, flannels, turtlenecks, collared button-ups, or roll neck shirts.
- If you wear a dress or skirt out, layer a sweater or blazer on top. Wear tights underneath to keep warm. Wear a long coat, such as a trench coat or overcoat, on top.
- If you wear slacks or pants, choose a shorter coat, such as a peacoat, sports coat, or duffle coat.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Accessorizing Your Outfit

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Pick a nice pair of clean shoes to match the outfit. Shoes can help complete an outfit. Whether you wear sneakers, sandals, or flats, choose a pair that is clean and well-cared for. Some options for classy and casual shoes include canvas sneakers, leather loafers, leather hiking boots, ankle boots, or ballet flats.^{[11]
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- Generally, you want the color of your shoes to be the same color or a shade darker than your outfit.
- You can also use shoes to add a pop of color to your outfit. Bright red and yellow shoes work well when paired with neutral colors like navy or black.
- Brown, navy, black, and white shoes go with almost any outfit.
EXPERT TIP

"If you're going for a professional look and you don't want to wear flats or heels, try wearing booties or ankle boots with a low heel."

Susan Kim
Professional Stylist
Susan Kim is the owner of Sum+Style Co., a Seattle-based personal styling company focused on innovative and approachable fashion. She has over 5 years of experience in the fashion industry, and received her AA from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising.

Susan Kim
Professional Stylist
2
Use scarves, ties, and belts to add pops of color to your outfit. Look for bold prints and colors to spice up your neutral wardrobe. Match your accessories carefully to the outfit that you are wearing to make your classy casual look complete.^{[12]
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Wear one piece of statement jewelry at a time. Statement jewelry can appear classy, but too much may be flashy. If you decide to wear statement jewelry, try to only wear 1 piece at any time. For example, if you wear a bold cocktail ring, don’t pair it with a blingy necklace, heavy dangling earrings, or a flashy bracelet.^{[13]
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Carry a nice purse or satchel with you. A quality and well-constructed purse, briefcase, or satchel can help you carry your belongings while still looking nice. Check out designer bags for well-made, timeless pieces. You can also search online for secondhand designer bags or hunt around for cheaper but still quality pieces at malls.^{[14]
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Community Q&A

Question

Which dress is best for skinny people?

Lovedove898

Community Answer

i suggest a horizontal print type of dress and lighter colored dress would be the most suited type of dress for those skinny people.
Question

How should a big-chested woman dress to minimize her size?

Lovedove898

Community Answer

Wearing darker colored dresses and blouses will be helpful to minimize the size appearance of those big-chested women..
Question

Which dress is best for overweight people?

Community Answer

I would pick a dress that highlights your best feature, whether that is your chest or waist or legs or hips. Also, buy one that is in a color that makes your skin look beautiful and that you feel confident in. Sometimes flowy or fluttery sleeves make your arms and chest look less full. Also, if you wear a nice necklace or earrings it will draw more attention to your face. A small heel, even 1 to 2 inches, will slim out your figure.