How to Dress Up a Casual Dress Code
We all have the same struggle currently. We don’t have anywhere to go, and no one is coming over for festivities as indoor social gatherings currently aren’t permitted in the city of Edmonton. So, what’s the point? No one wants to be all dressed up with nowhere to go. BUT! With the hope that we will be in a place with the pandemic where we at least might be able to have our nearest and dearest come by, we are here offering some tips on how to dress up without being too dressed up. How to dress up a (very) casual dress code if you will. If nothing else, you might be able to use these tips for your next Zoom social hour.
Tip no. 1
The Blazer-Sweater Combination
It is no secret that we here at Su Misura Bespoke are huge fans of the tailoring-knitwear combo. While this tip is specifically about pairing a blazer with a sweater, you could easily do dress pants and a sweater instead. The softness of the knitwear and the sharp lines of good tailored pants or jackets both work great as a dressed up/casual look. With the weather being fairly chilly in Edmonton for the majority of the winter months, we love an excuse to be warm and stylish. The best part about this tip is that no ironing is required. Knitwear looks the best when soft and wearable. We especially love pairing a chunky fisherman sweater with a blazer, a look we’ve written about before here. For the ultimate casual wear, pair the outfit with sneakers instead of dress shoes. Because, let’s be honest, there’s no need for fancy shoes right now.
Tip no. 2
The Button down-Jeans Combination
Bear with us here, we know that we aren’t exactly inventing anything new. But, there is no way to go wrong with pairing a good pair of jeans (with a good fit, mind you) with an expertly fitted dress shirt. If you’re braving the cold, maybe even throw your Su Misura Bespoke blazer on top for added warmth? In all seriousness, to modernize this look, go for a boldly patterned shirt and a dark or black denim. We’ve all seen the white button down and blue jeans to death, and while this look remains a classic, we’ve loved making tons of boldly patterned dress shirts this year with different colors and styles of collars. Maybe try colors you wouldn’t normally wear or go for? Or how about a new, bolder pattern? The possibilities are endless, and the good news is that if you hate the look, only a select few people are legally allowed to see you in it!
Tip no. 3
The Dress Shoes
Okay so remember when we just wrote that there is no need for dress shoes right now? Well, scratch that. There is ALWAYS a need for dress shoes. We especially think that luxury leather goods are the perfect Christmas or holiday gift for someone you love. And, if you have somewhere to go where footwear isn’t optional, then you should consider pairing a beautiful pair of handcrafted leather shoes with any look of your choosing. Are you doing jeans and t-shirts plain and simple? Is there a theme or a festive sweater making its annual appearance? No matter the rest of your look, good shoes elevate the entire thing. And the best part about this tip? You get to take them off around other people while still being safe and able to get cozy with the people you love.
To learn more, book an appointment with us for your own design consultation here.