What is casual chic?
The dress code, explained.

Casual chic is a dress code that sits between casual and smart: relaxed, comfortable pieces worn in a polished way. Think dark jeans or tailored trousers, a crisp shirt or fine knit, a blazer or a good coat, and clean leather shoes. It should look effortless, never sloppy.

The easiest way to understand it: take an outfit you would wear on a normal weekend, then upgrade every piece one level. The hoodie becomes a fine-knit jumper, the trainers become loafers or clean leather sneakers, the joggers become straight jeans or tailored trousers. Same comfort, more care.

Hosts use these words loosely, so treat the table as a guide, not a rulebook. When an invitation feels unclear, it is always fine to ask, and dressing a touch smarter beats being the most casual person in the room.

1. One polished piece per outfit. A blazer, a crisp shirt, tailored trousers or a structured bag lifts everything else.
2. Fit beats price. Trousers that break cleanly on the shoe and sleeves that end at the wrist look expensive on anything.
3. Better fabrics. Wool, cashmere, cotton poplin, linen, silk and good denim. Avoid shiny synthetics and athletic fabrics.
4. Clean shoes. Loafers, ballet flats, ankle boots, simple sandals or minimal leather trainers.
5. Keep it calm. Neutrals with one accent colour are the easiest route. Big logos read casual, not chic.
6. Skip the no-gos. Gym wear, ripped jeans, flip-flops, wrinkled shirts and anything you would wear to clean the house.

• Blazer and a dress: a simple midi or slip dress with an oversized blazer and flats or block heels.
• Wide trousers and silk: tailored wide-leg trousers, a silk camisole or blouse and a fine cardigan over the shoulders.
• Jeans, done properly: dark straight jeans, a crisp white shirt, loafers and a structured leather bag.
• Knit and skirt: a fine knit tucked into a midi skirt with leather ankle boots.
• The easy summer look: a striped shirt with tailored shorts or white jeans and leather sandals.

For men, casual chic and elevated casual mean the same thing in practice: no suit and no tie, but nothing that looks like weekend loungewear either.

• Knit and chinos: a fine merino or cashmere crewneck, chinos and suede loafers.
• Oxford and denim: an oxford shirt, dark jeans, a navy overshirt or unstructured blazer and leather boots.
• Polo upgrade: a knitted polo, tailored trousers and minimal leather trainers.
• Colder days: a wool overcoat over a crewneck, pleated trousers and loafers or Chelsea boots.

• Dinner or a restaurant: dark jeans or trousers, a silk top or fine knit, loafers. Men: shirt or knit, chinos, leather shoes.
• Wedding or garden party: a midi dress or tailored trousers with a silk top. Men: trousers, shirt, optional jacket, no tie.
• Birthday or drinks: a blazer over a simple top with straight jeans, or a slip skirt with a knit.
• Office party: what you would wear on your smartest office day, plus one fun piece like a statement earring or a good coat.
• Gallery, brunch or a first date: any of the outfits above. Casual chic is made for these.

If casual chic had a home city, it would be Stockholm. Neutral colours, relaxed tailoring and very few logos are exactly what the dress code asks for, and the Stockholm world in Style AA even has a "Casual Chic" vibe: tucked-in but never starched. Read the Stockholm style guide for the full wardrobe, outfit formulas and the Swedish brands behind the look.

Prefer a warmer, more classic take? The Old Money world is casual chic with a heritage accent. Compare the style worlds.

Try it on first. In Style AA you upload one photo and see any outfit on yourself in seconds, so you can check a casual chic look before the event, or before you buy the blazer. See how virtual try-on works.