Formal vs Casual Wear: What’s the Difference Between The Two?

Formal vs Casual Wear: What’s the Difference Between The Two?

Casual wear is used for regular wear, and formal wear is worn for formal events like weddings, state dinners and official occasions. The key difference between casual and formal wear is that casual wear accentuates comfort and informality while formal wear emphasises style and convention.

If you are considering what is so unique between these dress styles, this article is for you. Today we will talk all about formal wear vs casual wear.

Let's get going!

1. Let's talk about Casual Wear

Casual style includes t-shirts (polo shirts, turtlenecks, and so on), pants, coats, khakis, hoodies, summer dresses, skirts, tennis shoes, loafers and shoes. Did you know that sportswear garments worn for physical work also fall under casual wear? Casual fashion style has a large variety of clothing and styles. It gives an individual the expression of comfort over convention and congruity.

Casual style is usually worn when you're going on trips, shopping, brunch parties with friends, and so on. This style is mostly worn by secondary school and college students. Casual clothing items are made of materials like cotton, shirt, denim, polyester and wool. Avoid wearing this style at stylized occasions, gatherings, weddings and other proper occasions, conferences, or to work.

2. What all falls under the casual wear slot? 

Casual wear includes a wide variety of dresses, footwear and jewellery things. From summer dresses to skirts, pants to khakis, coats to hoodies, tee-shirts to polo shirts, shoes to loafers all go under the classification of casual wear. T-shirts, as a matter of fact, are the most famous casual dressing item in the whole world. The material of clothing that falls under casual wear are as follows:

  • Cotton
  • Flannel
  • Denim
  • Jersey
  • Polyester

3. What is formal wear?

Formal wear refers to apparel appropriate for formal occasions like ceremonial occasions, weddings, balls, formal dinners and lunches, workplaces, and so on.  It is the attire you wear to the fanciest event in your life. Formal clothing should always be neat, crisp, pressed and never wrinkled. Uniforms, for example, formal military outfits, law court dress, and scholastic & graduate dresses, are also viewed as formal wear.

Although most people choose to wear a dark tie with formal wear, the satirically proper dress code for formal wear is a white tie for the night and a morning dress for daytime. Women wear ball outfits or formal night (floor length) outfits. To nail a formal look, dress up for the occasions and the venue. For example, if you are attending a white-tie wedding, a ball gown or a tuxedo would help you fit in the crowd.

4. What all falls under the formal wear slot?

Up to only a few years ago, the formal attire consisted of a suit, shirt, tie, pocket square, and smart shoes for men and gowns for women. However, formal wear has changed with time men's formal wear consists of trousers, a dress shirt (and maybe a waistcoat or vest), a suit or a tuxedo jacket, some form of neckwear suit accessory, and dress shoes. On the other hand, women’s formal wear clothing consists of shirts, blazers, trousers, dresses and skirts.

 5. Difference between casual & formal wear

FORMAL WEAR

CASUAL WEAR

Types

Types

There is a wide range of formal shirts to browse - with some being more formal than others. For dark tie occasions, there are tuxedo shirts, while for less dressy events, you have classic designs, for example, the cutaway or pin collar shirt. Formal wear also includes dress shirts, trousers, long evening gowns, coats, ties, etc.

Men's relaxed shirts also come in a wide array. There are lightweight linen shirts, chambray shirts, grandad neckline shirts, and the timeless button-down Oxford. The sort of shirt you pick will rely upon where you're going to wear it. Casual wear includes skirts, summer dresses, jeans, T-shirts,  hoodies, etc.

 

 

When To Wear It

When To Wear It

A proper shirt is a must-have clothing item in every closet, particularly if you want to look savvy. We recommend wearing yours to weddings, interviews, and formal gatherings. On the other hand, you can wear it at the end of the week - if you're going to an extravagant party or wish to up the formality of a smart-casual look.

You'll want to wear casual shirts when the event requires something uber-cool, yet not excessively so; this could be for lunch at your favourite café or to visit friends during the weekends. They're also a great decision for your vacation - especially those made from linen. They will keep you cool and guarantee a presentable look.

 

 

Suitable shoes

Suitable shoes

High-quality shoes are paired with formal attire.

Casual wear can be paired with Sneakers, loafers, slippers, and sandals.

 

 

Materials

Materials

Formal wear is made from materials such as satin, velvet, silk, brocade, etc.

Causal clothing, on the other hand, uses materials such as cotton, jersey, denim, polyester and flannel.

 

 

Feel of the outfit

Feel of the outfit

Casual wear will make you feel more confined and isn’t very comfortable.

Wearing casual wear will make you feel relaxed and comfortable.

 

Wrapping it up!

The competition between the two can go on and on, but there isn't going to be a winner. Both the apparel carry their fashion for different events. But, if you’re someone who lacks knowledge of fashion and dressing up, or maybe you don’t shop because of time. This checklist will sure be your buddy for the next shopping spree.

The discussion on casual wear Vs formal wear is continuous. Casual wear offers definitive comfort and brings you through informal environments, while formal wear is worn when you want to establish a long-term impression. What better is that you can mix and match several Harbour 9’s casual and formal wear to create a semi-formal look. So get your hands on the things from casual men's fashion tips; read our blog by picking from 10+ different casual outfits today!
Back to blog