The Art of Looking Casually Elegant (2024)

Have you ever made a dinner reservation where the dress code said, ‘casual elegant’ and you were totally lost on what to wear? Don’t worry, we’ve all been there! The concept of dressing casually elegant is actually much simpler than it may seem, and it might be even your normal day-to-day wear! Today, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about dressing for casual elegance and the styles you’ll want to have in your closet to achieve that!

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What is casual elegance?

As the name states, casual elegance is somewhere between casual clothing and formal attire. Typically, you’ll see a casual elegance dress code at upscale restaurants, country clubs, and some parties or celebrations. Casual elegance is similar to business casual attire in the sense that it’s put together but not to the level of a ball gown or suit.

While the exact details of casual elegance are fully up for interpretation, it really depends on where you’re going! If you’re attending a nicer party or an upscale restaurant, you’ll want to opt for a black dress, nice trousers, crisp blouses, and beautiful accessories. If you’re on vacation and are heading to a more relaxed dinner or event, casual elegance could mean a flowy dress or a stylish tunic with dressier leggings and great shoes. Vince happens to offer great casual elegant shoes that work for many occasions.

When it comes to colors, many people recommend opting for lighter shades in the daytime and darker colors during the night. With this being said, nowadays, dress codes are usually more relaxed for most events so don’t feel like you’re not able to wear a certain color or pattern just because it’s a specific time of day! If you’re thinking of wearing a dress, the best lengths are right above or below the knee for a classy, yet more casual look. Lastly, shoes are definitely something to consider when dressing casually elegant. Ballet flats, heels, and nice sandals can all be considered casually elegant.

The best part about casual elegance is that many of us dress in this style on a daily basis whether it be for work, social events, or other activities. At least this was the case before the pandemic and we are heading this way once again, now that we are gradually recovering from it! Most casually elegant garments can be worn many different ways and can even be transformed to more formal or casual attire based on accessories and layering options.

Styles to add to your casually elegant wardrobe

At Stella Carakasi, we pride ourselves on crafting clothing that makes getting dressed in the morning a lot easier. Most of our designs can be worn in many different settings whether it be casual, business, or casual elegance! We’re going to share some of our top casually elegant styles that you can add to your collection to wear to work, a date night, or to your next party!

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Printed Tunic

Who said casual elegance had to be boring? Our Illusion Tunic features a bold printed pattern with subtle color accents to take any outfit up a notch. When dressing casually elegant, we love wearing this top with the Slimming Ankle Pants, our Go To Cardigan, and a statement necklace to finish it off! The best part? Our Illusion Top was designed to flatter many body shapes and it is made from recycled polyester georgette! Plastic bottles that could have ended up in landfill or further polluting our environment have been turned into a great fabric. Better to throw on than to throw out!

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Cardigan

Speaking of cardigans, you can never go wrong with a classic cardigan (and look how nicely it works over our Illusion Tunic!) The Stella Carakasi Go To Cardigan can be worn on any occasion and can be dressed up or down based on the dress code. What makes the Go To Cardigan special is that it features a classy accordion-style design around the hem which makes it more dressy and fashionable than a traditional knit cardigan.

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Ankle Pants

Our Slimming Ankle Pants are like no other—and we mean that! We designed the Slimming Ankle Pants to be insanely flattering and comfortable for most body types because they are made from a stretchy Tencel® blended Ponte knit. On top of that, these pants look elegant but feel like you’re wearing leggings. Try wearing the Slimming Ankle Pants with any tunic top, cardigan, or button-up shirt for a perfect casually elegant look!

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Lounge Dress Pants

As the name already suggests our Lounge Dress Pants were created to blend comfort and style. This is a pant that will take you anywhere from running errands, to the office, yoga class and a date night out. There is no need to give up the comfort of your beloved sweats just to look nice. You’re going to love our Lounge Dress Pants that literally work 24/7. They’re made of a stretchy, blended Tencel® Ponte knit to provide ultra-comfort, while looking like a pair of classic tailored pants. Talk about a win-win!

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Flowy Dress

If you’re more of a dress person, we’ve got you covered! Our Day After Day Dress is a great addition to any casual elegance collection because it’s the perfect length and the pleated front and back design offers style and ease! What’s great about our Day After Day Dress is that while it looks sophisticated, it feels super soft and comfortable so you can dance your night away without wanting to change! Throw a cardigan on over this dress and pair it with some heeled sandals and you’re ready to go.

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Small Shoulder Bag

Bags can be a difficult choice when dressing casually elegant because you want something that is functional to hold your belongings but also looks put together. If you’re struggling to decide on a style of bag, a small shoulder or crossbody bag is always a great option. Shoulder bags are convenient, functional, and can go with any outfit or event! We’re currently loving some of Kate Spade white crossbody bags to wear during any occasion whether it be a nice dinner or date night!

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Finishing Touch

When it comes to jewelry, you can choose pieces that are understated or bold to complement your outfit and your style. One of our favorite jewelry collections is Stella & Dot because they offer a huge variety of styles, satisfying a wide spectrum of tastes. We love pairing any outfit (whether it be a dress or a blouse and pants) with a necklace in either gold or silver but don’t be shy adding earrings, bracelets and rings.

Be Yourself

While dressing casually elegant may seem like an intimidating or daunting task, it’s important to think of the event you’re attending and don’t forget to incorporate your own personal style! What you wear is a reflection of you and your personality, so always remember to have fun and feel confident in the outfit you’re rocking!

Still not sure what to wear?

For more inspiration we invite you to check out our Looks We Love Page where you will find many looks that fit the casual dress code category and where we show you how to create many different looks with only a handful of styles.

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The post The Art of Looking Casually Elegant appeared first on Stella Carakasi.

The Art of Looking Casually Elegant (2024)

FAQs

What is considered casual elegant? ›

Elegant casual is also known as “ casual elegance” and is typically similar to something you would wear to a country club or upscale restaurant. A step above resort evening, with this dress code, men are expected to wear a long-sleeve dress shirt with slacks and dress shoes—no shorts, t-shirts, or sandals.

How do you dress casual but classy? ›

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. Examples of a nice dress shirt include collared button-up shirts, crewnecks, ruffled blouses, cashmere sweaters, and vests.

What is casual elegant decor? ›

The look of Casual Elegance is one of my favorite styles – sophisticated and beautiful, yet comfortable and approachable; refined and chic, yet simple and relaxed. It truly is a mix between Formal and Informal but to create it, you need to use the right mix of pieces in the right way.

What does upscale casual mean? ›

Upscale casual is a semi-formal look, mixing upscale pieces with comfortable, more casual pieces, such as jeans with a V-neck shirt and blazer for men or skinny-leg khakis, heels and a nice blouse for ladies. Upscale casual requires avoiding certain articles of clothing as much as it incorporates others.

Can you wear jeans for casual elegant? ›

The Casual Elegant dress code, is NOT “casual sport” which could include jeans and sandals, the word “elegant” should be taken as it is, because although this kind of elegance requires being natural and comfortable -casual-, the combination of fabrics and shapes will be the key at the time of achieving an accurate ...

How do you dress effortlessly elegant? ›

When it comes to looking effortlessly stylish, one of the best things you can do is stick to a neutral color palette. Some great neutral colors to consider are gray, navy, camel, and blush. These colors can be easily mixed and matched with each other, so you'll always have something new to wear.

Can casual wear be luxurious? ›

Casual luxe is mixing comfortable casual fashion pieces like cotton t-shirts, tanks, button down shirts and lightweight knits with luxe fabrics including satin, silks, sequins, lace, leather, chiffon and other fabrics that are appropriate for evening wear.

How can I look elegant and classy everyday? ›

14 Ways to Always Dress Classy
  1. Use neutral colors as your foundation. ...
  2. Choose solid colors. ...
  3. Wear classic patterns. ...
  4. Try out a monochrome look. ...
  5. Don't wear more than three colors. ...
  6. Mix and match textures. ...
  7. Wear a high neck and high waist. ...
  8. Follow the rule of thirds.
Apr 17, 2022

What is chic elegance? ›

Chic Elegant Style is a sophisticated fashion aesthetic that features sleek silhouettes, understated elegance and high-quality, well-tailored pieces.

What is more dressy than smart casual? ›

Business and Informal attire is more sophisticated than Smart Casual, often signaling the need for suits, ties and dresses. For Him: Wear a business suit with tie. You may also opt for nice slacks with a sports jacket and tie. For Her: Wear a business suit or business style dress with heels (high or low).

What is less dressy than business casual? ›

Smart casual is a less formal extension to business casual. While business casual is great for the office and meetings, smart casual is for everything outside of work.

What is smart casual dress code? ›

What does it mean and what is the Smart Casual Dress Code? It is a style somewhere between formal and casual. Not a smart look with a jacket and tie then, but also not an overly sporty outfit with trainers, t-shirt and jeans. Smart Casual means 'simple, yet elegant'.

What clothes to wear to look elegant? ›

If you're trying to be elegant, start by wearing classic styles of clothing, like knee-length skirts and tailored button-down shirts, and choosing clothes made from high-quality fabrics, like silk and satin. Never too baggy, never too tight; the clothing of an elegant woman looks like it was made to fit just her.

How do you make a simple outfit look elegant? ›

HOW TO DRESS SIMPLE BUT STYLISH – 12 EASY TO FOLLOW STEPS:
  1. Invest in quality over quantity. ...
  2. Choose staples over trends. ...
  3. Stay away from having too many colors in one outfit. ...
  4. Wear clothes that fit and compliment your figure. ...
  5. Play with accessories. ...
  6. Don't be afraid of layering. ...
  7. Sunglasses are your best friend.
May 19, 2022

What happens to a woman's body at 70? ›

Your Bones, Joints, and Muscles

Your muscles get weaker, and the tendons -- which connect muscles to your skeleton -- get stiffer. This will decrease your strength and flexibility. In your 70s, you might lose an inch or two off your height as disks in your back flatten.

Can a 70 year old woman wear leggings? ›

Leggings are one of the most disputed items of clothing for older women. Some of us over 50 swear by their leggings, while others are appalled by the fact that older women still wear leggings. I say, to each her own. There is no right or wrong answer to wearing leggings after 50.

What makes a 70 year old look younger? ›

In addition to sleeping on Blissy silk pillowcases, taking good care of your health can help you look and feel younger as you age. This involves eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, drinking plenty of water, and making sure to get enough sleep.

How do you dress casually and comfortably? ›

What You Need To Know About Dressing Casually
  1. You should choose clothing that fits well and looks good on you.
  2. Dress up your outfit with accessories. A nice bracelet or a light jacket can add polish without making the outfit too formal.
  3. Wearing too many trends at once is not a good idea. ...
  4. Don't stray from classic styles.
Aug 12, 2022

How to dress classy but cheap? ›

  1. 12 Tips for Looking Stylish on a Budget. Want to look like a million bucks but don't have the bucks? ...
  2. Good grooming. A stylish look always starts with good grooming. ...
  3. Choose neutral colours. ...
  4. Shop versatile. ...
  5. Pay attention to shape. ...
  6. Find a good tailor. ...
  7. Accept hand-me-downs. ...
  8. Take advantage of accessorising.

What to wear to look expensive? ›

How to Look Expensive in 25 Simple Ways
  1. Opt for Timeless Classic Cuts.
  2. Get Your Clothing Tailored.
  3. Change the Buttons.
  4. Stick to Neutral Tones.
  5. Wear Well-Fitting Underwear.
  6. Iron or Steam Your Clothes.
  7. Invest in a Classic Black Structured Handbag.
  8. Wear Stylish Dark Sunglasses.

What is the 3 color rule in fashion? ›

The premise of the 3-color rule is not combine more than three colors in your outfit at any one time. The exceptions are black and white — they don't count, as they aren't technically colors, so they can be intermixed without actually adding a color to your outfit.

What is the three word method style? ›

What is the three-word method? The three-word method is as simple as it sounds: identifying your personal style with three adjectives. Maybe your style is cool, elevated, and comfortable, or maybe it's colorful, classic, and bold.

What colors make a house look elegant? ›

Choose a color palette.

Traditionally, rooms that go for an elegant look are painted beige or light gray. Cozier rooms opt for darker shades, such as browns or grays leaning towards the darker side of the spectrum. Modern looks are more often than not made of brighter colors.

What decorating style is timeless? ›

Timeless design is quietly understated, simple and sophisticated. This style is one that is designed to be highly functional, yet not bland and boring. Your timeless style is subtle, adaptable and outlasts. It's a style that belongs to both its space and its environment.

How to have an elegant personality? ›

Things You Should Know
  1. Be kind and respectful to others. Really listen when they speak to you and try to put yourself in their shoes.
  2. Stay calm and collected in all situations. ...
  3. Wear classic outfits that look sophisticated and stylish. ...
  4. Apply natural-looking makeup and style your hair so it looks sleek and polished.

What is bohemian chic? ›

Boho-chic is a style of fashion drawing on various bohemian and hippie influences, which, at its height in late 2005 was associated particularly with actress Sienna Miller, model Kate Moss in the United Kingdom and actress/businesswoman Mary-Kate Olsen in the United States.

What is timeless chic? ›

Timeless style is an elevated classic fashion style that ceases to go out out of style or look dated. It consists of elevated basics, sophisticated centerpieces and streamlined outfits that avoid being identified by a particular fashion trend or fashion decade.

What is casual dressy for a woman? ›

"This is where you're thinking more light colors and casual materials," she says, versus fancier fare like satin and sparkles. You can wear things that are a little more flowy, and even bold prints are acceptable. "That really cute sundress or maxi dress is a great example of dressy casual,” Swann says.

What is the highest dress code? ›

Also known as “full evening dress”, white tie attire is considered the most formal of all dress codes. The white tie dress code indicates that guests are high-caliber, royal, or have high social standing.

Why do people dress casually in everyday life but dress formally at work? ›

Casual outfits are simply more comfortable. Wearing a business suit can weigh heavily after a long day, especially considering that most office jobs are largely sedentary. Swapping formal wear out for more comfortable options will mean a more relaxed and comfortable workforce during long days.

What is one step down from business casual? ›

A casual dress code is generally considered less formal than business casual. Employees may wear more relaxed, informal clothing but not necessarily what they wear on the street or lounging at home.

What kind of shoes do you wear for business casual? ›

Look for shoes made of quality materials, such as leather or suede. Regardless of the style of shoe, a leather shoe will almost always be the best choice for a business casual office.

What is smart casual attire for a woman? ›

For women, this means that items such as a classic two-piece suit or corporate dresses can be avoided. To nail the smart casual look, choose items such as: Tops: Neutral or colourful and/or print blouses and shirts, smart cardigans in dressy fabrics such as crepe knit, silk button up shirts or collared shirts.

What should you avoid in smart casual dress code? ›

Avoid cotton T-shirts or tops with large-printed graphics or slogans. Bottoms: Pants like chinos, silk pants, or dress pants are a great choice for a smart casual look. Dark-wash denim jeans are acceptable, but they should be tailored and distress-free.

What is an example of smart casual? ›

Smart casual includes items like blazers, sports jackets, dresses, sweaters, trousers, khakis, skirts, blouses, button-down shirts, polos, dress shoes, boots, heels, flats, scarves and jewelry.

What is considered elegant? ›

Elegance is defined as 'the quality of being graceful and stylish in appearance and manner. ' Therefore an elegant woman can be defined as someone who carries herself with poise in a sophisticated and fashionable way.

What is chic elegant dress code? ›

It typically features neutral colors, classic pieces such as tailored blazers, little black dresses, and elevated basics. Chic elegant style is different from other fashion styles in that it emphasizes simplicity and quality, rather than bold and flashy trends.

What makes a woman elegant? ›

A woman who is elegant knows how to hold her head high with poise and confidence. This is especially important when walking around people who are strangers. By maintaining good posture and making eye contact, you show others that you are confident in yourself and your abilities.

How can you tell if someone is elegant? ›

How to Tell if Someone is Classy – Signs of a Graceful Woman
  1. They have impeccable etiquette. ...
  2. They carry themselves with grace and poise (very stylish) ...
  3. They dress in a sophisticated manner. ...
  4. They are polite and respectful to others. ...
  5. They are generous with their time and money. ...
  6. They are well-educated and well-spoken.
Jan 25, 2023

How do you know if you're elegant? ›

For the few external signs of being an elegant person, there are plenty of internal ones that come through practice and perseverance.
  • Knowing your worth. Classy people are self-aware. ...
  • Dressing well. ...
  • Having a sense of social etiquette. ...
  • Eloquence. ...
  • Listening. ...
  • Privacy. ...
  • Owning your success. ...
  • Using rationale.
Jan 28, 2023

How do you look chic and elegant on a budget? ›

  1. 12 Tips for Looking Stylish on a Budget. Want to look like a million bucks but don't have the bucks? ...
  2. Good grooming. A stylish look always starts with good grooming. ...
  3. Choose neutral colours. ...
  4. Shop versatile. ...
  5. Pay attention to shape. ...
  6. Find a good tailor. ...
  7. Accept hand-me-downs. ...
  8. Take advantage of accessorising.

How do you dress elegant and expensive? ›

How to Look Expensive: Clothing Tips
  1. Opt for Timeless Classic Cuts. Let's kick things off with clothing. ...
  2. Get Your Clothing Tailored. ...
  3. Change the Buttons. ...
  4. Stick to Neutral Tones. ...
  5. Wear Well-Fitting Underwear. ...
  6. Iron or Steam Your Clothes. ...
  7. Invest in a Classic Black Structured Handbag. ...
  8. Wear Stylish Dark Sunglasses.

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