"Casually elegant" attire: definitions, please! - YouLookFab Forum

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"Casually elegant" attire: definitions, please!

Laura

(website)

Veteran

I'm attending an event on Friday night in a historic home that's a writer's retreat. The invitation calls for "casually elegant attire." Of course I'd like to think that I practically ooze casual elegance on a daily basis But in reality, what does this mean?

Dressing

24 replies

Latest reply was from Vix

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Smart Casual I think. Have fun!

Queen Mum

Veteran

I agree- you are the definition of "casual elegance"
I see it as somewhere between smart casual and relaxed formal (much more toward the smart casual end of that spectrum)
Of course you never know what the inviter is trying to convey... is this a way of saying "please clean up" or "you don't need cocktail wear, but please dress up" What will you be doing at this event? Is it a drinks and appetizer social? A seminar? A writing workshop?

taylor

Veteran

Hmmm, good question. I don't know how to describe it...but I know when I see it!!! No help here.

Isabel

Veteran

Hmmm, in my mind, I see anything denim with a dressier juxtaposition and cool jewelry.

taylor

Veteran

Ahhh, Isabel, good answer...Like Angie's ballgown and denim post!!!

Laura

(website)

Veteran

It's cocktails and hors d'oeuvres from 6-9 p.m., and I will be there in my role as reporter-about-town doing a story with my trusty photographer in tow. It will be an artsy crowd coupled with the people who fund them.

I feel like these people aren't going to be wearing denim of any kind. Just a gut feeling.

LisaP

(website)

typically think of "dressed up casual" or "played down dressy".

So a lot depends on what the guests typically wear. it might mean great dark dress jeans with a silk top, great jewelry and heels.
It can also mean fun/festive dress LBD with off beat accessories.

If it is evening I would err on the side of elegant over casual

Vani

Veteran

Me thinks any of your super fab outfits here would fit the "casually elegant" bill, no?

Louise

Veteran

I'd say a fairly simple dress then fab elegant jewellery to top it off x

Anonymous

Oh my!!!! I just looked at the links that Vani posted of you and yes!!!! That's it! That's the Laura casual elegance! I love it. I love that I can call it that too and I can keep those words in the back of my mind to incorporate into my style.

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

Definitely not jeans; I think you are right about that call.

I would go with a LBD of some kind, and funky jewelry or a jacket. It's a little warm out today all of a sudden, so make sure you are not too over-layered.
Oooh, what about that awesome MK dress you wore when I saw you? That is funky and elegant. Love that neckline.

Rosie

Veteran

Oh! Yes! You have that MK dress in grey that Angie has in green in the store, right?

Invitations are so confusing. I think they should come with outfit examples to match the description!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Laura, you are *always* casually elegant.

I vote one of your hip frocks with your new Aquatalia boots. Or, the turquoise BCBG tunic with skinnies. And a lucite necklace :0)

Vix

Veteran

I think when dress codes aren't in Emily Post one has a lot of latitude!

What's your weather like these days and how are people dressing -- are they well into spring/summer colors or still wearing lots of black? [Though I guess black and "artsy" crowds are trans-seasonal, ha.]

I looked at your album and think you have a lot of options; for a "CE" May night where you are in Work Mode I like:

http://s380.photobucket.com/al.....009010.jpg

http://s380.photobucket.com/al.....010001.jpg (with some sort of sweater or jacket)

http://s380.photobucket.com/al.....ug8004.jpg

(minus the dark jeans, but maybe with other slim pants or your white jeans? I like this one with your long black sweater on top as well, so if it's colder maybe black sweater/black pants/pale tunic dress?

If you feel like you need to skew more "elegant" than "casual" maybe the jacket from this outfit paired with pants (not sure if that's a long skirt or pants) + funky shoes + more colorful purse? And probably a camisole if you have any concerns about cleavage during a work event.

http://s380.photobucket.com/al.....rt3009.jpg (but with a colorful purse)

Mellllls

Veteran

I think the links Vani posted are perfect. I def. agree no jeans, especially since you are working the event. I think you have lots of options

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'm not sure that jeans are inappropriate. I love all the outfits that Vix has posted but that's not *casual*.

But then, I might have things at the wrong end of the stick. If it's cocktail attire than obviously no jeans and casual boots. What do you think, Laura?

Vix

Veteran

Angie, I agree...but honestly, I'm kind of thinking the made up "casually elegant" is to ensure the artsy folks put their teeth in and shoes on.

Given that it's Friday night after work, I bet the donors will be mostly in cocktail or business wear (+/- a change of accessories to liven things up).

Laura, if this is a regular or annual event I'd try to find some photos online just to see the gamut.

Isabel

Veteran

Taylor, yes, like Angie has done with both jeans and chambray shirts. I am with Taylor and Angie - though that second picture of you, Laura, from Vani is just fantastic.

Does this help ? On the left there is a tab for examples :

http://www.ehow.com/about_5114.....-code.html

Beth

Veteran

I vote for one of your cool dresses Laura. I'm in the camp of no denim, too. That said, the links Vix posted are lovely but seem too dressy to me. I love the links Vani posted and any of those looks would be perfect.

Maybe I'm getting all OCD but it seems like "casually elegant" and "elegantly casual" might mean different things...

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Oh, thanks everyone. Why didn't I think to look in my Photobucket album? Leave it to you guys to brilliantly figure that one out.

And Isabel, thanks for the link. It tried to be helpful, but this is still one confusing dress code.

My instinct is to err on the elegant side of casual. What do you think of this: MK sheath dress (the purple/black one from Angie's store), with the Aquatalia boots, nude microfishnets, and either a black suit jacket or black moto jacket, and a bunch of pearls? (If I weren't in bed in my jammies right now I would take a photo!!)

Beth

Veteran

Laura, sounds perfect

Maya

Veteran

I interpreted this as business casual. No jeans, but no cocktail attire or suits either. I think your outfit idea sounds perfect.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thumbs up from me too, Laura. I vote biker jacket!

Vix

Veteran

Glad you're good to go!

It's probably ethically unsound, but I wish you could post some headless shots of what people end up wearing so we could see how people interpret this, ha.

Hope you enjoy the setting and the people watching in between the working!