What should I wear to a casual dinner with a friend? The answer is simple. Always dress in layers. The thinner you are the more comfortable you will be. The less you are weighed down by clothing, the more fun you will have.
Themes: Dresses can range from elegant to crazy and from casual to elegant. You want to look good and still be able to move comfortably. Keep in mind your body type as well. For example, a plus size woman would look good in sophisticated, yet informal cut-offs while a pear-shaped girl can layer in party dresses to look good in a longer length gown.
Color: If possible wear something light. Avoid wearing dark colors or anything black, because that’s pretty casual. You can wear a skirt and blouse over a dress pants paired with a blazer and some statement jewelry. This combination will work for most people.
Denim jackets, corduroys, chinos, skirts, dresses, etc. all work well for this occasion. Don’t forget your shoes! If you’re going to be out on the town then shoes are an absolute must. If you’re not sure what kind of shoes you should wear then ask fellow fashionistas for guidance.
Dressing for occasions like these doesn’t mean that you have to break the bank. Remember that it’s still important to look good and not have any special occasion to put on. When you’re dressing casually there are lots of options. Here are a few tips for dressing up with a casual dress code:
For men – The best option when it comes to dressing is probably going to be jeans and a t-shirt. Jeans don’t have to be boring white pair, they can be fun and funky and you’ll be able to find lots of great, funky, styles and colors. Don’t be afraid to mix and match colors or even make some bold statements with your jeans. The key is to be comfortable but still look smart and rock your casual outfit!
For women – Nothing works better than a cute and sexy skirt paired with a nice top. A white or tan skirt is always a safe choice, but if you’re going to hit the beach or something similar, you can get away with different colored skirts. A great tip for summer is to choose a skirt that compliments your body type. For instance, if you have a thin body frame consider wearing a mini skirt and if you have a bigger and plumper torso opt for a long skirt. Beach and garden wear will be the hottest this summer so finding a really cool and casual outfit for your date or day at the beach will be easy!
For women, you can add a bikini, tank top, or even a cardigan to your ensemble to accessorize your new style. Remember that a polo shirt is essential so that you have some element of comfort with your new outfit. Polo shirts are also a lot of fun so if you’re planning on wearing one with a dinner party, don’t be afraid to wear a light or bright color.
Men are in the house too! If you’re a guy (or girl! ), you can wear a dressy shirt or a dressy vest to the occasion. Remember that a solid colored dressy shirt is always a safe choice so you can always accessorize it with a nice blouse or a cardigan. A pair of good jeans is optional but makes a bold statement, so if you opt for jeans opt for something darker like dark indigo, black or navy blue.
Now for men, you can pair a white dress shirt with a tie. A tie is optional but if you do choose to wear a tie, make sure that it is the right color match. For instance, a gray tie might not be as attractive as a light blue or gray tie. Another thing to consider is whether you want to accessorize your outfit with a pocket square or not. Some people like to go all out and wear a big, bulky pocket square whereas others prefer to keep it simple.
If you’re not sure what to wear to a casual dinner with a friend, try this. Put on a pair of dress shoes and a dress shirt. Turn on your favorite pair of jazzy pants and a blazer (remember to put it on a formal occasion) and you’re all set. A great pair of shoes would also go nicely with dress shirts, a vest or even with a vest over a sweater.
Of course, there’s always the classic tie. But if you don’t feel comfortable wearing a tie, opt for a good denim shirt. A good denim shirt is made to last so you don’t have to worry about it showing off when you put it on. If you want to add a little class, you can always opt for a pocket square. It makes a bold fashion statement but is extremely practical and slimming.