Casual for men: what to wear
Jeans or chinos + a tee or polo + sneakers.
Weekends, casual meet-ups, travel, picnics, informal events.
- When
- Any time
- Tie
- No
- Jeans
- Yes
- Sneakers
- Yes
Three outfit ideas
City day
Jeans, a grey tee, a denim or field jacket and sneakers.
Summer day
Knee-length chino shorts, a linen shirt and espadrilles.
Travel
Dark chinos, a merino sweater and minimalist sneakers.
What to wear
- Jeans, chinos, shorts
- Tees, polos, linen shirts
Shoes
Sneakers, moccasins, sandals.
Accessories
A cap, a backpack.
What to avoid
- Gym wear outside the gym
Colours
Anything.
In summer
In summer: shorts, linen, sandals.
In winter
In winter: knits, jeans, sneakers or boots.
Details that make the difference
- Tees and shirts should fit through the shoulders – oversized looks sloppy.
- Chinos and jeans should taper, with little or no break.
- In summer, wear loafers and sneakers with no-show socks.
- An unstructured blazer is the most versatile casual piece: it works with jeans and chinos alike.
About casual
Everyday comfortable clothes: jeans, tees, sneakers – clean and right for the place. Casual dress only became widely accepted in the second half of the 20th century, as jeans and T-shirts moved from workwear and underwear to everyday clothing.
Other codes for men
Frequently asked
01Casual: is a tie required?
No – a tie isn't needed and would often look too formal.
02Casual: are jeans OK?
Yes – dark, clean, unripped jeans fit this code.
03Casual: are sneakers OK?
Yes – clean, minimalist leather or suede sneakers work.
04Does 'casual' on an invitation mean sportswear is fine?
Not quite – relaxed but tidy: jeans and clean sneakers yes, a tracksuit no.