A beautiful Yucca in bloom in our neighborhood.
We are invited to visit a friend who lives in a city on the east coast. Several special events are planned, so I asked what the dress code was.
The reply was “casual.”
I understand what California casual is — and Arizona casual. And I’ll admit it’s very different than Manhattan or Boston casual.
Casual to me means shorts, a polo shirt or t-shirt and flip flops. I often wear sundresses that I consider to be casual.
We were told that my husband should wear sports coats and ties. And I could pack a few dresses and slacks. That does NOT sound casual to me.
I realized that I don’t have a single pair of slacks. I have denim jeans in white and blue, cords and assorted shorts. I also have my ASICS and flip flops but no appropriate shoes to wear with the slacks or dresses. That’s because of an uncomfortable bump on my left foot. Normal “casual” shoes hurt!
What type of clothes do you consider casual dress?
Do you live in city where people dress up or are you in an area like me that’s very casual?
I think the definition of ‘casual’ changes with the place and occasion.
Yes. I wish I had more information.
Very true. It would make you more comfortable.
That’s it!
😍😍
😊
It depends on what the event is and who’s throwing it. I always wear a black dress, or black slacks and black top. I have different levels of these clothes, and I change the feeling by throwing on a jacket, of which I own many, a scarf or jewelry. But I always go with basic black
Interesting and so different than how I dress. We have a whole different casual, and I’m going to need to shop.
I’m all about casual, so I can’t help you here. Do you know anyone else in the area you could ask? Or maybe run a Google search for “casual attire” plus the city or type of event to see if anyone online has posted? Good luck!
Good idea! Yes, I’m all about casual too. Funny how different parts of the country have different standards.
Casual is defined by region and often specific places within that region based on history, culture and even ethnicity of the population. You know the PNW which I feel is mostly the epitome of outdoor casual. When you said east coast casual I immediately thought back to Martha Stewart and her linen palazzo pants and off-white flowing tops with a lightweight sweater tied over her shoulders and her gold toned flats. I feel like that image was burned into my brain back when she was so popular and doing her gardening show years ago. Who gardens dressed like that… only Martha!
I too have nothing that would be appropriate to wear and would likely opt not to go because of the fact that I can’t afford a whole new wardrobe just for a trip and then never wear the clothing again. Maybe you can rent clothes? I know there are places in Seattle that have really varied styles that people rent. Maybe AZ has that?
How funny thinking about Martha Stewart. Yes, her casual was much different than mine. I remember after moving to Palm Springs, I went back to Seattle and everyone seemed so dressed up to me. But that was years ago. Now when I visit, it’s the same sort of casual but warmer clothes. I tried renting a dress for a black tie event where they ship it to you a few years ago. Nothing fit. I’m going to look at Nordstrom rack for a pair of slacks and I have dresses already.
I know- the Martha example is sort of silly but it has stuck with me for years obviously 😉 That’s a great plan- go with what you have and toss in a simple extra item or two 🙂
Martha always looked so put together. Yes, I need to go through my closet and see what I have before I go shopping.
I consider casual in our area on the East Coast a polo shirt/blouse and jeans. When “Casual Fridays” started in the workplace here, that’s pretty much what everyone wore and continues to wear at work. At bars and restaurants, casual attire means the jeans are often “replaced” by shorts, leggings, etc. Casual can certainly have different meanings to different people, and especially in different parts of the country and world.😃
That so true that different parts of our country have different dress codes. I remember when my daughter and her friends were being recruited for swimming, one of her friends took a recruit trip to SMU. She found they got very dressed up all the time, including wearing nylons! Other schools were jeans and shorts.
That sounds more like “business” casual. LOL, I wouldn’t have anything to wear anymore. I’ve gotten super casual.
To me it sounds somewhat dressy! I’m with you. I’m so casual, I am wearing shorts and my daughter’s old swim t-shirts every day.
Time to dust off the “fancy clothes!”
I’m sure the do have dust on them!
I follow the LA school of thought – big surprise – about wearing black! I love my summer black dresses and just swap out the shoes depending on what’s up — casual or dressy – but gosh, doesn’t it seem that most things are casual these days? I find myself wearing my converse hi-tops with so much. I like a little quirkiness – just for fun! 🥰
My daughter wore Converse high tops with dresses in high school. I forgot about that! I went shoe shopping and found a pair of low black pumps and mules that I could wear comfortably in spite of my arthritis bump. Yay!
Terrific! You should be all set! 🥰
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I’m with you about West Coast casual. We take “casual” to a whole new level! 🙂
Yes, we do!
Casual is always hard. I think I’m going to be dealing with this in our upcoming trip trying to figure out appropriate “casual” wear if I’m invited to any of the official social gatherings
It is difficult to figure out. It’s not until a month a way, so I have time.
Lancaster, PA is pretty casual. My idea of casual is t-shirt, shorts or pants depending upon the season, and sneakers.
That sounds similar to West coast casual.
You know, years ago, we went into the Ritz-Carlton in San Francisco and we were wearing ultra-casual wear. We were treated with utmost respect, differentially. It turns out that in the Bay Area, the ultra-rich can be seen wearing ultra-casual wear regularly, and so, they never know anymore 🙃
On a more serious note, it’s safer to overdress than underdress. And look up photos of events from the venues you’re going to, that’ll clue you as to what’s expected for the right time of day, too…
Yes, California is casual. I lived in Palm Springs for 30 years and because of the heat, we were more casual than a lot of towns. My kids live in the Berkeley and said they dress a little warmer, but still casual. I did look up venue photos. Thanks for the idea!
Jeans and a shirt or sweater. Shorts if it’s hot. Any kind of footwear.
Agreed!
Excellent questions. I imagine the answers are a reflection of region and income.
What type of clothes do you consider casual dress? I consider things like jeans with cotton, maybe linen, blouses or a polished t-shirt to be casual. OR sometimes yoga pants with a hoodie. I wear Birks or leather flats/boots or tennis shoes.
Do you live in city where people dress up or are you in an area like me that’s very casual? I live in a city, as in the region, where I fit in wearing those clothes, BUT I live in a suburb where people dress more sloppy or more into athletic clothes.
I agree that people living and working in cities tend to wear more formal than the suburbs.
Khakis, something simple in black, some old fashioned lace, a pretty skirt, sandals, sneakers.
That sound dressier than my casual, but still casual but nicer.
Your Yucca is gorgeous, Elizabeth! And it’s obvious that ‘casual’ has many meanings, but mine would be in line with yours. We’re going to a wedding next month and the dress is formal attire. At this point in our lives, we don’t dress formally. I have dresses, but they’re more casual, and my husband doesn’t own a suit anymore. So, we’re spending money on clothes that will probably never be worn again. 🙂
My husband had to buy a sports coat, because it’s been so many years since he’s worn one and they don’t fit well. Yes, formal or this friend’s idea means some shopping. Maybe I’ll have to throw a party so we can wear the clothes again 😅
Good idea! 😁
That’s a beautiful photo! I’m not a super social person so I don’t really know what casual dress would be. If I had to guess, I’d say a sundress would be just fine. Slacks and a button-up without a tie for your husband. That would be my guess, but I’m always in a dress and never really care.
Our hostess we are visiting said casual and followed it with a couple ties and blazers for my husband! That’s not my idea of casual.