Casual Chic and Dressy Casual: What They Mean

What does casual chic mean?

Only one of the two names has an etiquette definition. The Emily Post Institute calls dressy casual 'a versatile balance between formal and casual', the 'ideal choice for networking (or socializing) after work, fundraisers, or dinner at a nice restaurant.' Its list for women runs from a dress to 'Nice jeans and dressy top'; for men, a seasonal sport coat or blazer with slacks and an optional tie. Casual chic appears on no Emily Post page, and Debrett's (2023) files codes that demand 'chic' under 'obscure diktats'. Houston's PaperCity filed 'Casual chic/dressy casual' as one code in 2017 ('Operative words here are chic and dressy'), while the Washingtonian (2015) and The Philippine Star (2002) grouped casual chic with smart casual. Read it as dressy casual unless the host says otherwise. One wrinkle: Emily Post's business casual guide also uses 'dressy casual' for the dressier office version of that code. The idea has an American ancestor. In 1942 Claire McCardell showed her 'Popover', a simple denim wrap dress that, the Museum at FIT says, moved 'from playful, casual cottons to fine silks for evening'. Time put McCardell on its cover on 2 May 1955.

Where casual chic sits on the ladder

Casual chic for women

1. 
   01

   Black straight-leg jeans, no rips

   'Nice jeans and dressy top' is on Emily Post's dressy casual list, and the Washingtonian's 2015 advice was to 'Swap sleek pants for jeans'. Black or dark denim with a clean hem is what keeps them 'nice'.

2. 
   02

   Rust silk tie-neck blouse

   This is the dressy half of 'Nice jeans and dressy top'. Silk in a saturated rust does the job the Washingtonian's 2015 advice gave to 'a beautiful blouse', and reads dinner rather than desk.

3. 
   03

   Black wide-leg dress trousers

   Dress pants with a casual top is one of the Posts' 2022 combinations for dressy casual. With a fine striped knit, they cover a restaurant dinner without a dress.

4. 
   04

   Dark denim wrap dress

   Claire McCardell's 1942 Popover was a denim wrap dress, and Emily Post's dressy casual list starts with 'Dress'. Dark denim in a wrap cut is dressy casual in a single piece.

5. 
   05

   Navy-and-cream striped fine knit top

   For the casual half of the Posts' 2022 'dress pants and a casual top'. A fine-gauge stripe reads deliberate, where a slogan tee, which Emily Post rules out even at casual, does not.

6. 
   06

   Gold drop earrings

   The Washingtonian's 2015 casual-chic formula ends with 'one statement piece, like a cocktail ring, drop earrings, or bold bangle'. One piece lifts jeans; three turns the outfit into a cocktail look.

7. 
   07

   Tan leather block-heel mules

   'The best part: any shoes,' says the Posts' 2022 rundown. A low block heel in tan leather works with the jeans and the wrap dress, and handles a restaurant's stairs.

Casual chic for men

1. 01

   Seasonal sport coat or blazer

   First on Emily Post's dressy casual list for men. PaperCity (2017) told men in slacks to check with the host about a jacket; wearing one settles the question.

2. 02

   Slacks or dark jeans

   Emily Post lists slacks; PaperCity's 2017 guide put men in 'jeans with a crisp white shirt and a snazzy blazer'. Pair jeans with the blazer to keep them on the dressy side.

3. 03

   Open-collar shirt or polo

   Emily Post: 'Dress shirt, casual button-down shirt, open-collar or polo shirt', with an 'Optional tie'. Nancy Mitchell of The Etiquette Advocate told CTW Features in 2016 that men at a dressy casual wedding need a collared shirt and a nice jacket.

4. 04

   Loafers or clean leather sneakers

   The Posts' 2022 rundown allows 'any shoes' at dressy casual. Leather keeps the outfit on the dressy side of the balance.

Casual chic in winter and summer

Winter. New York's December averages 7°C/45°F by day (NOAA). Jill Martin, author of Fashion for Dummies, told Creators Syndicate in 2015 that a holiday casual-chic party calls for 'seasonal colors and materials that give off a holiday vibe', and suggested a sweater or dress with sequins, beading or paillettes. A sequinned knit over dark jeans with ankle boots is that advice in one outfit.

Summer. New York's July averages 29°C/84°F by day (NOAA). Emily Post's dressy casual list has no shorts; they appear only on her casual list, 'depending on occasion and climate'. Choose a cotton or linen dress, or wide-leg trousers with a silk camisole, and sandals, since the Posts' 2022 rundown allows any shoes.

Reading the invitation

• “Casual chic” — No etiquette definition. PaperCity (2017) reads it as dressy casual, the Washingtonian (2015) as smart casual. Dress for dressy casual, and ask the host if it's a wedding.
• “Dressy casual” — Emily Post's code for after-work drinks, fundraisers and a nice restaurant: nice jeans or dress pants with a dressy top, and a blazer for men.
• “Smart casual” — The neighbour. The Philippine Star (2002) called casual chic, smart casual and relaxed chic 'three perplexing terms with basically the same meaning'.
• “Dressy casual, on a wedding invitation” — No jeans. Emily Post's informal wedding rung lists an afternoon dress or a dressy skirt or pants with a blouse, and a sports jacket or blazer for men. Nancy Mitchell's 2016 gloss: 'this is not a barbecue'.

A suggested look — rust silk tie-neck blouse, black straight-leg jeans, tan leather block-heel mules, small plain gold drop earrings.

What to avoid

• yoga pants and gym clothes — PaperCity's 2017 guide: 'Dolls, leave the yoga pants at home'
• a slogan T-shirt — Emily Post allows only a plain T-shirt, 'no slogans', even at casual, the rung below
• ripped or stained clothes — the Posts' 2022 rundown: 'Casual doesn't mean unkempt'
• jeans at a dressy casual wedding — Emily Post's least formal wedding rung lists dresses, skirts, pants and blouses, and no denim
• shorts — they sit on Emily Post's casual list, 'depending on occasion and climate', not on her dressy casual one