Casual style – how to create a relaxed and stylish look?
- Casual style is a relaxed, informal look based on comfort, high-quality fabrics and muted colours.
- The staples of a casual wardrobe include T-shirts, jeans, linen trousers and light jumpers or sweatshirts.
- Casual differs from smart casual and business casual in terms of formality, the type of fabrics used, and the occasion for which a particular outfit is worn.
- The key to a successful casual look lies in the quality of the fabrics and, above all, a careful choice of cut.
- Hexeline offers casual styles made from cotton, linen and cellulose-based fabrics, such as Tencel and viscose.
Casual style is an informal way of dressing that combines comfort with style and a neat appearance, without the rigid rules of a dress code, but with plenty of freedom to mix and match items of clothing. In recent years, the popularity of casual outfits has been steadily growing, which is a direct result of changing lifestyles: the rise of hybrid working, a growing need for functionality, and a move away from excessive formality. Hexeline meets these needs with precisely tailored pieces made from high-quality woven and knitted fabrics, which work well in a variety of everyday outfits.
What is casual style and why is it taking the fashion world by storm?
Casual style is an everyday, informal way of dressing that prioritises comfort, functionality and a natural look over formal dress codes. It is based on simple, well-tailored garments in neutral colours: white, beige, grey and earth tones such as khaki or brown. Casual style is versatile, as it adapts to different occasions depending on the accessories and footwear chosen. Its popularity stems from the changing pace of life: women are increasingly looking for clothes that are comfortable to wear all day long, whilst still looking stylish. Casual outfits can be enhanced through layering and the careful selection of details, making them an excellent way to create a personal style. Hexeline’s smart casual range is the perfect starting point for women seeking a balance between everyday comfort and a polished look.
Women’s casual style – how to wear it every day?
Women’s casual style is best worn every day, building your look around a neutral base and gradually adding pieces with distinctive cuts or textures. The foundation of any casual look is a simple, well-tailored piece made from high-quality fabric. A beige V-neck T-shirt works well as the base for almost any casual outfit – whether paired with a skirt, jeans or wide-leg trousers. Blue balloon jeans are a classic staple of casual styling, featuring a modern, wide-leg cut that remains on-trend for many seasons. For cooler days, a natural addition to your outfit is a grey oversized hooded jacket made from linen and viscose – a lightweight piece that combines the freedom of a casual look with protection from the cold.
Hexeline casual wear – which styles work best for everyday outfits?
Hexeline’s casual clothing is made from cotton, linen and cellulose-based fabrics such as Tencel and viscose, ensuring all-day comfort and a stylish look without the need for complicated outfit combinations. Each of the options listed is designed with everyday outfits in mind, requiring only simple additions to create a cohesive look.
The following Hexeline pieces work particularly well in everyday outfits:
- Openwork kimono jumper – a lightweight kimono-style wrap with a distinctive open weave; perfect as a layered addition to autumn and spring outfits. In an ecru shade; the foundation of many casual outfits.
- Wide-leg denim trousers – classic denim in a modern wide-leg cut; combining the comfort of everyday wear with a contemporary silhouette.
- Barrel-cut linen trousers with pleats – a breathable style made from natural linen in
- Brown cotton T-shirt with silk – a premium style featuring a silk blend in a warm brown shade; the subtle sheen elevates the whole look.
- Beige oversized Tencel blouse with slits – a breathable Tencel design featuring decorative slits that lend the whole look a sense of lightness.
- Brown shirt dress with a belt and slits – a shirt dress with a belt that accentuates the waist; a classic cut for everyday wear and informal occasions.
- Plain ecru short-sleeved T-shirt – a minimalist design in a subtle, signature barrel cut; perfect for spring and summer.
The common thread running through these designs is the carefully selected fabrics, meticulous craftsmanship and styles designed to be worn for years to come.
Women’s casual style versus smart casual and business casual – how do they differ?
Casual, smart casual and business casual are three distinct dress codes, differing primarily in their level of formality, the type of fabrics used and the context in which they are worn. A Fango T-shirt with a pocket naturally straddles the line between casual and smart casual; a single-breasted ecru linen jacket with a shawl collar is a business casual option, whilst wide-leg ecru linen trousers with pleats combine the comfort of smart casual with the elegance suited to more polished outfits.
Style Comparison
| Aspect | Casual | Smart casual | Business casual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formality | Low – relaxed, informal. | Medium – polished, yet relaxed. | Higher – elegant, but does not always require a full suit. |
| Typical clothing | T-shirts, jeans, hoodies, sneakers. | Smart trousers, blouses, jackets. | Jackets, suit trousers, shirts. |
| Fabrics | Cotton, linen, denim, viscose. | Linen, viscose, tencel. | Linen, wool, satin, suit fabrics. |
| Occasions | Shopping, walks, everyday outings. | Work without a formal dress code. | Business meetings, office, conferences. |
Distinguishing between these styles allows you to build a capsule wardrobe, in which key pieces can be adapted to different contexts through the right choice of accessories and footwear.
How do you put together a casual look for every season?
A casual look works all year round, provided you choose fabrics and layers suited to the current temperature and season. To choose the right casual outfit for every season, it’s worth considering:
- Choosing outerwear – for spring and early autumn, light jackets and oversized blazers work well; an ecru jacket with a stand-up collar is a versatile piece for the in-between seasons, which works well with a wide range of casual outfits.
- Light dresses as the basis for summer outfits – in the warmer months, build a casual look around airy dresses made from natural fabrics; a dark grey linen dress with a V-neck combines the comfort of linen with a timeless aesthetic.
- A coat as part of a casual outfit – a well-tailored coat lends a touch of understated elegance to a relaxed ensemble without losing its casual feel; a loose-fitting double-breasted midi coat is ideal for the cooler months.
- Layering your outfit – adding layers in neutral colours allows you to adapt your look to changeable weather without compromising the cohesion of the whole outfit.
- Choosing fabrics suited to the season – linen and viscose in summer, cotton in spring and autumn, and wool and cashmere in winter – helps ensure your outfit is comfortable whatever the temperature.
A thoughtful choice of layers and fabrics is the simplest way to maintain a casual aesthetic all year round.
A T-shirt, jeans and trainers – is that enough for a successful casual look?
A T-shirt, jeans and trainers can be enough to create a successful casual look, provided the quality of the fabrics and the precision of the cut are up to standard. A casual style doesn’t require complicated combinations, but a thoughtful choice of pieces determines whether the look is aesthetically pleasing or merely haphazard. A linen T-shirt with a subtle sheen is an example of a basic option which, thanks to its natural fabric and subtle finish, elevates the whole outfit beyond the casual minimum. Brown wide-leg trousers with slits offer an interesting alternative to classic jeans – the wide legs and details give them a light, airy feel and a contemporary edge. For warmer days, a viscose jumpsuit with a botanical print is a great option, replacing a T-shirt and trousers with a single eye-catching piece.
Casual style. Summary
Casual style is one of the most versatile trends in fashion – it’s perfect for everyday wear, at work where there’s no formal dress code, and for social occasions. You’ll find the full range of Hexeline’s casual styles in the clothing category, whilst the latest collections and new arrivals are available in our shops and online as part of our current collections.
FAQ – Casual style – how to create a relaxed and stylish look
Casual style is an informal, relaxed everyday look that combines comfort with style and a neat appearance. It is based on simple cuts, fabrics such as cotton, linen and viscose, and a muted colour palette, making it ideal for everyday outings, shopping and informal social gatherings.
For women’s casual style, Hexeline offers T-shirts made from high-quality fabrics, wide-leg jeans, linen barrel trousers, oversized Tencel blouses and lightweight kimono jumpers. All styles are designed with comfort and a stylish look in mind, to be worn all day long.
‘Casual’ is less formal than ‘smart casual’: it is based on simple styles made from cotton and denim, whereas ‘smart casual’ requires more refined cuts, higher-quality fabrics and polished details. In practice, smart casual refers to casual outfits with a higher degree of elegance – a T-shirt is replaced by an elegant blouse, and jeans give way to viscose or linen trousers.