CWS Casual Chic: A Barnyard of Hip Chickies

by Becky Kénaan 

How naive I was back then... HA!! Did you know that when I first heard of the term "Casual Chic," I imagined that it was all about some chicken laying on some tropical beach relaxing and sipping on a margarita. The funny thing is, chickens actually do sunbath. So, the next time you are around the barn, just make sure that you tiptoe quietly around them so as not to disturb their readings of Vogue, Vanity Fair, or In Style Magazines. Don't ruffle any feathers!

Casual Chic Example: Remember lots of Layering, Ladies!

Seriously though, the casual chic look is actually a very informal yet intentionally classy look.  Casual chic attire is basically mixing a dressy element, like tailored slacks or a very feminine blouse, with something completely informal like a leather jacket or a pair of jeans.  But overall, its appearance is based on the combination of comfort, freedom of movement, and style. Used together, "Casual" + "Chic" simply translates to smart and sophisticated. Elegant, but not overdone.

I personally enjoy the casual chic look because of  its true freedom of expression, without having to look like I am copying someone else - It allows me to create my own individual look to express both my personality and mood.

Even though it may fall under the category of casual wear, it is not a "loosey-goosey" style. It does require some thought on just how to put a chic outfit together.  But once you understand the fundamentals, it is rather easy and fun! 

What is also so cool about Casual Chic is that this look can be for all ages and ethic backgrounds. To get better acquainted with it, I recommend that you start looking at the styling icons here online and see if you like their casual chic versions first then go ahead and take off creating your own palette.

If the Casual Chic look is done correctly, it can be the perfect look for both weekends and/or holidays, in addition to a more sophisticated version suitable for your workplace environment. The basic look only requires a few specific key pieces. 

Some Casual Chic versions:

• Minimalist: Stick with simple apparel in neutral colors, using plain fabrics and little or no patterns
• French Chic: Look at capri pants, skirts, breton stripes and ballet flats  
• Feminine:  Softer cuts and styles -  wear a pretty feminine top with jeans, add color through the use of accessories.
• Masculine: Mannish style - trousers, shirts, shoes and belts.
• Luxe:  Luxurious fabrics, using a silk t-shirt instead of cotton. Layer with a cashmere cartigan with Luxe-looking accessories 
• Eclectic:  Use ethnic accessories to add interest to your casual chic outfit  such as a subtle tribal print blouse or silver ethnic bracelet.
• Sporty/Natural: Sporty and friendly look - chooses plain t-shirts in grey.  Use sporty accessories such as sporty style shoes (sneakers) or handbags

Becky's Basic Casual Chic 101: The Casual Chic Palette

The casual chic ensemble is usually made up of clothes in neutral colors. The fabrics are also more natural than synthetic. They are generally easy to mix and match that lends you greater flexibility and versatility in combining the right accessories to achieve that classy and chic look at once.

Some good examples of neutral colors would include whites, greys, blacks, navys, beiges, camels, taupes, and khakis.  It is up to you to choose the neutral color palette that looks best on you, depending on your completion and silhouette - then design your casual chic ensemble based on that selection. 


Jeans:

If the look you want is casual and away from the office, go find a nice pair of casual chic jeans. Jeans are always a great basis or foundation to build from - the number one item in most casual chic outfits in fact. Start out by selecting a pair of jeans that provide a smart looking, chic and elegant in style.  There are different types of jeans - skinny jeans, straight cut and boot cut. Just don't go too wild on the jeans - no hippy type or loose boy-type cuts.  Make sure that the fit is just right - not too loose or too small. Remember that you are looking for an elegant and comfortably appearing fit.  Denim blue is always the classic color to choose, however other neutrals can work just as well, such as black, grey, beige, navy, camel and khaki. Some great examples of these can be found at Lillou's, MoliChino's, or Diamond Style's. 

T-Shirts:

Unless you are looking to go more of a classy chic, T-shirts are probably the next most important purchase item in a casual chic wardrobe/ensemble. 

You can choose either short sleeved for summer or long sleeved for the spring, fall and winter months. What is nice about T-Shirts is the fact that they can be worn independently or as layerings under other tops. T-shirts are also so versatile & and easy way of dressing down. Just change your shoes, your hair style a bit, and play around with some of your accessories...and voila!

Casual Chic: Berry Top 
with Neutral Herringbone Pattern Pants

If you want you, can splurge with some added color as well - nothing too bright or loud mind you, but rather something rich and subdued - colors like deep teals, berries, reds, olives or plums.  I would also recommend that you study the necklines of the T-Shirts and choose a round or v-neckline - one that looks comfortable. No cleavage please! Remember that you are looking for a chic and classy look.

Layering Pieces:

Now that you have the T-Shirts and Jeans for your casual chic wardrobe, we can move on to adding more styling by layering pieces. 

These would include cardigan sweaters, shirts, blouses and even jackets. Once again, use neutral colors and plain without too much attention.





Fabrics:

Casual Chic fabrics are natural rather than synthetic. Like cottons or wools, they are comfortable looking. 

The fabrics most often seen in casual chic style clothing are denims (jackets and jeans), cottons (shirts & tops), wools (jumpers, jackets, coats, etc.) linens (dresses, trousers, tops, etc), and silks (scarves, tops, pants).

"Luxe" Casual Chic Example

Patterns:

There aren't too many patterns used in the casual chic look. It is best to keep the look simple and classy. However, if you do want to add some pattern to your look think about maybe some sexy French stripes, florals or perhaps even polka dots but be careful not to distract - use tight pattens over loud bold patterns. That can work well with the casual chic look. But whether you go stripe, floral, or polka dot, remember to stay with neutrals. Take a look at some of MoliChino's casual woven fabrics pants that appear as tweed or herringbone pattens and see if you can choose these pants with the neutral colors I mentioned to keep your look classy.

Casual Chic Hairstyles and Make-up: 

Hairstyling - The hairstyling goal is to look clean, tidy, natural, well groomed, feminine and chic. A casual chic hairstyle looks soft, natural and feminine. It isn't short and spiked. Typical hairstyles include soft bobs, wavy shoulder length styles, chic ponytails and soft up-dos. Hair color is natural rather than bleached or brightly colored. 

Make-up - The make-up look is one of a subtly natural look which lends the appearance that there is barely any make-up used at all. 


The make-up therefore is clean and understated to enhance your natural beauty.  A light layer of foundation used for skin tone, then using a natural colored lipstick or subtle gloss for your lips with a (light swish of blusher to your cheeks) gives you a healthy, radiant glow.

A neutral colored eye-liner and eye-shadows with brown mascara adds to this natural look. 

Nails - Nails are natural colored polish.

Eyebrows - regularly groomed into a soft arch.

French Chic from LUXE by Paris ~ Cotte De Mailles

Casual Chic Style Shoes and Boots:

Casual chic footwear is comfortable and easy to walk in, simple and classy . The look is flat rather than high stilettos. Choose very simple styles that are not distracting. Have people notice you and not your shoes.

Casual chic shoe styles include the following:

• Ballet flats - choose a simple pair in neutral colors black, navy, tan or brown - worn with both jeans, casual chic trousers and skirts
• Ankle boots - in neutral colors, to wear with jeans, skirts, and trousers.
• Long leather boots - again in neutral colors and worn with both skinny jeans and chic casual skirts.
• Sandals - flat or low wedge heel

French Chic Apparel Examples

Casual Chic Accessories:

Sunglasses:  

Sunglasses by far are the number accessory to make you look chic!

Choose a simple style in a neutral color. Remember to choose a style that fits the shape of your face.  Most casual chic sunglasses are round in style, which works very well if you have a soft feminine face. However, if your facial features are more angular, you might look for something in a more angular style.

Scarves: 

Scarves are relatively inexpensive and come in a variety of colors.  They offer a simple and effective way to accessorize your casual chic outfit. 

Once again, choose plain colors in either neutrals or basic colors. For flair, you can choose  a scarf in a simple pattern to jazz up the simple jeans and t-shirt look.

Jewelry: Once upon a time, I focused only on my clothes and never gave a lot of thought to my accessories.  I have since realized how much they can make or break an outfit, especially Casual Chic. 

I quickly discovered that a casual or plain outfit can be made chic and sophisticated with the addition of something pretty.  Even the fanciest and most trendy outfits can be made even better and more unique with the addition of jewelry.

So, when it comes to Casual Chic, it is all about using jewelry as personal expression. 

In SL, I love finding unique, chunky types of earrings and necklaces. Bangles also look good but I recommend that you treat them asymmetrically with the bangles on one forearm and a nice watch on the other for balance perhaps.


What ever you decide for yourself when it comes to designing that special Casual chic outfit becomes so personally rewarding and fun! - The world is your oyster! Even though fashion trends tend to change every year or so, I believe that Casual Chic will remain timeless.  It also fosters new fashion ideas, bringing a variety of new styles.

Learning how to dress casual chic is not difficult - the easiest way to learn is by following the new trends in fashion set by fashion designers from all over the world and then compose your own look that fits your personality and whim!  

Cluck! Cluck!  Now cross the road and get busy shopping! HA!