https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-search-of-casual-crisp-your-thoughts Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 03 May 2026 07:36:52 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-search-of-casual-crisp-your-thoughts#post-1427964 Tue, 20 Jan 2015 04:42:21 +0000 N-Marie 1427964@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have found that I feel more "casual crisp" when I replicate outfits that are business-like (button downs, blazers, trousers) in more casual fabrics- so knit or poly&nbsp;button downs, knit or ponte blazers (like unfrumped).&nbsp;These are much more friendly to a MOTG lifestyle than a more constricting woven short or&nbsp;jacket but have a similar visual effect. And you &nbsp;often don't have to iron or dry clean&nbsp;<span>them, which is a key factor for me!&nbsp;<br /></span><br />Pants or&nbsp;skirts&nbsp;stiffer than jersey or weathered denim&nbsp;(again, a denim with stretch or a&nbsp;ponte knit can substitute for a less flexible fabric)&nbsp;<br />I also like kiwigal's suggestion about hair, although it will probably require a good stylist to design a style that is wash and wear while still looking "crisp" </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-search-of-casual-crisp-your-thoughts#post-1427920 Tue, 20 Jan 2015 03:08:19 +0000 Sal 1427920@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wonder if hairstyle would play a part too...a bob or pixi, or styled ponytail are all quite crisp hairstyles, whereas beachy waves not so much.</p> <p>I don't know if that makes sense or not.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-search-of-casual-crisp-your-thoughts#post-1427885 Tue, 20 Jan 2015 02:15:34 +0000 Jaime 1427885@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think I associate crisp more with the structure, angles and stiffness of the fabric than the colors. Can there be a crisp, muddy colored outfit? I wonder if it would need some aspect of lightness. Interesting discussion! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-search-of-casual-crisp-your-thoughts#post-1427784 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 23:01:25 +0000 annabelle 1427784@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Though it sounds ironic, I reached for a distressed light denim button up (actually snaps), when I was in the mood for a crisp casual look. The collar and long sleeves give the outfit some structure, the light color keeps it fresh, and the denim fabrication keeps things casual. I can wear it over a white 3-button t or a rocker t. If you wore it with a pencil skirt, it would absolutely be crisp and casual. Think like Unfancy (un-fancy.com)&nbsp; Caroline always has a casual way about her. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-search-of-casual-crisp-your-thoughts#post-1427739 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 21:56:46 +0000 Helena 1427739@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>thanks everyone for your thoughts! it IS a tricky one as it encompasses specific features as well as moods, seasons, etc.&nbsp;<br />Kiwigal, you nailed it - it's a cool spring day - cool enough that you're happy walking at a brisk step. Great idea on the sneaks.<br />Rachylou, I'll explore wovens more, although I don't iron so that's a bit restrictive ;)<br />Suz, yes - that's it exactly! The weather is not conducive to crisp. I just spent a week in the Caribbean and I dare say I looked 'crisp' just about every day! Not so much in woolens and snow boots ... hmm, perhaps I am just hankering for spring clothing!<br />Donna, Marilyn, Mona, great suggestions, thank you!<br />texstyle, yes, they nailed it!<br />Aubergine, that is funny - fall-ready style is gorgeous too - warm and cozy.<br />Gradfashionista, I like that - clear boundaries. Well said.</p> <p>Thanks one and all!</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-search-of-casual-crisp-your-thoughts#post-1427733 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 21:46:33 +0000 gradfashionista 1427733@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>When I think of crisp, I think of medium-strong contrast, structure, angular lines and identifiable edges. It's not necessarily modern to my eye, but the boundaries in the outfit--shapes, colour, textures, etc.--seem clear to me. It's a&nbsp;hard concept to pin down, though. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-search-of-casual-crisp-your-thoughts#post-1427727 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 21:38:32 +0000 Anonymous 1427727@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>In terms of colors, I think clear, bright colors look more crisp than muted ones. Like royal blue rather than teal and cherry red rather than&nbsp;burgundy. Maybe that might be a good alternative to white?</p> <p>And what everyone else said about wovens, structured cuts, and geometric patterns. Neat, well-behaved, but not fussily styled, hair seems like a key element for a crisp look too.&nbsp;Basically, I'm trying to think of what I wear, then imagining the exact opposite. Which kind of makes sense, since I agree with Kiwigal that crisp seems to equate with springtime and I feel like I always end up looking ready for fall, no matter what the season.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-search-of-casual-crisp-your-thoughts#post-1427692 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 20:30:43 +0000 texstyle 1427692@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love Kiwigirl and Suz's take on "crisp". </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-search-of-casual-crisp-your-thoughts#post-1427640 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 18:56:46 +0000 Mona 1427640@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>How about pointy toed low vamp flats? would that add to the crispness of the outfit? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-search-of-casual-crisp-your-thoughts#post-1427637 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 18:51:03 +0000 Marilyn 1427637@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Looking forward to hearing Angie's thoughts on this.&nbsp; <br />I'm not sure that crisp equates to wovens, etc.&nbsp; I think drapey and soft can still<br /> look crisp.&nbsp; I feel like it has more to do perhaps with the structure of<br /> a garment, clean lines, maybe colour combinations (such a black and white), and the overall vibe of an outfit.</p> <p>Unfrumped mentioned knit blazers.&nbsp; I love knit blazers and sweater jackets and moto jackets made of stretchy cotton fabrications.&nbsp; They may not be as<br /> crisp as a woven blazer but they are super comfortable and add a<br /> polished, crisp look to outfits IMO.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-search-of-casual-crisp-your-thoughts#post-1427635 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 18:49:50 +0000 DonnaF 1427635@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Crisp is better on me than soft.&nbsp; I'm looking for a navy &amp; white or black &amp; white small checked shirt.&nbsp; Maybe seersucker but doesn't have to be.&nbsp; Polished cotton.&nbsp; Nothing more drapey than chambray.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-search-of-casual-crisp-your-thoughts#post-1427628 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 18:42:27 +0000 Suz 1427628@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think the real problem is translating "crisp" to our winter climate. As Kiwigal so rightly points out, it has a "spring" connotation, and so spring outfits are pretty easy to make "crisp" whether that be through the fabrication, the colours, or both.&nbsp;</p> <p>In winter, I find navy and white do give a hint of crisp. Wovens vs. knits. But knits are far cozier. So straight lined styles help quite a lot. A turtleneck is more "crisp" to me than a scarf if you want to cover your neck in the cold. A structured bag, maybe in a lighter colour, would also be useful.&nbsp;</p> <p>As Rachy said, colourblocking and geometric patterns read as "crisp." I think tipping and framing are especially crisp looking. I really love both of these -- you will notice that Sveta and I are quite the devotées of that type of detail on a knit. We both strongly prefer looks with some structure (both of us have an element of "crisp" to our style)&nbsp;but we also <b>NEED</b> the warmth of knitwear. So this is one way to address the problem.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-search-of-casual-crisp-your-thoughts#post-1427619 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 18:29:24 +0000 rachylou 1427619@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Like bettycrocker, I think of crisp as wovens. They can be softer, drapier wovens though. Also I think "geometric" and "graphic" and "colour-blocked" in general. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-search-of-casual-crisp-your-thoughts#post-1427604 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 18:05:52 +0000 Sal 1427604@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Casual sneakers ie converse, supergra, can add a bit of a crisp look.</p> <p>To me crisp is a spring day, sunny but cool. So a spring look could work - striped tee with jeans and a lightweight trench coat. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-search-of-casual-crisp-your-thoughts#post-1427601 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 17:58:17 +0000 Anonymous 1427601@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm thinking of the button down shirts I just ordered. As a "soft," I sought out shirts that are made of fabric that has been softened and that will have a little drape. I also looked for soft (muted) colors. I plan to wear those shirts under sweaters that have some drape to them, etc. I'm trying to be conscience of the overall vibe of my outfits. A crisp white button down shirt, for example, isn't going to drape. If you belt over it, the fabric will more than likely still look crisp and you might even get a peplum effect at the waist. You won't get that effect with a shirt made out of soft tencel. Tencel isn't extremely drapey, but it definitely has a softer effect than a shirt made out of Oxford cloth, for example. I don't know if I'm making any sense or not. I'm just typing what comes to my mind. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-search-of-casual-crisp-your-thoughts#post-1427594 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 17:49:13 +0000 Helena 1427594@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Laura, was posting at same time as you - thanks for the ideas! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-search-of-casual-crisp-your-thoughts#post-1427592 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 17:48:21 +0000 Helena 1427592@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Unfrumped, some great ideas in there - thank you! In particular, I can look for some different tee fabrications. Interesting about the high-contrast piece - I wonder where the line is for 'crisp' to become 'bold' - I feel like crisp is softer than bold ...<br />Bettycrocker, your mind went just where mine did - to fabrication. However, as I thought about it, imagine taking the classic white button up shirt and changing the color to say olive green and then pairing it with dark gray pants - the fabric would indeed be crisp, but imo the shirt/outfit would not - does that make sense? I am wondering if I should try to define in&nbsp;terms of crisp fabrics, crisp cuts, and crisp colors, and then maybe incorporate at least one or two of these&nbsp;elements when going for a crisp look?<br />Amazing how much you can tease apart such a simple word!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-search-of-casual-crisp-your-thoughts#post-1427591 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 17:46:36 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1427591@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with bettycrocker, crisp to me speaks to fabrication as much as style - poplin, broadcloth. Even denim. Cottons and wools rather than drapey rayons or most polys. Probably a classic fit, not too baggy or bodycon. And a traditional cut of garment, as unfrumped says, nothing too shapeless or arty. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-search-of-casual-crisp-your-thoughts#post-1427582 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 17:32:59 +0000 Anonymous 1427582@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm no expert, but I think crisp would have to do with fabrics. I'm a "soft," so I seek out fabrics that are soft and drapey. Crisp fabrics, on the other hand, are wovens that are used for tailored pieces. They are not drapey or soft. I hope this helps. I'm sure&nbsp;<b>Angie</b> can enlighten us. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-search-of-casual-crisp-your-thoughts#post-1427578 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 17:28:01 +0000 unfrumped 1427578@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmm,&nbsp;other things that come to mind are &nbsp;straight lines and straight cuts in contrast to drapey and boho. <br />Possibly "angular". Yet a knit blazer, which is softer and&nbsp;more comfortable than a woven, slick fabric blazer, &nbsp;can look more crisp than a cardigan, if not in a rounded, super-feminine style and not nubby-boucle, say, so might work if a tropical wool, crisp cotton or linen blazer were impractical. Pants might also be&nbsp; in more smooth fabrications. Handbag might be more structured, or rectangular, than bucket or hobo. T-shirt tops in woven silk are not <u>crispy</u>, but can have more structure than knits.<br />Stripes and plaids might look more crisp than florals.<br />High-contrast can be with colors, not just black &amp; white. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-search-of-casual-crisp-your-thoughts#post-1427565 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 17:06:03 +0000 Helena 1427565@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi everyone,<br />After receiving some kind feedback yesterday that a crisp look suited me well, I went on a mission trying to find examples of crisp casual&nbsp;outfits, as I find it's one of those "I know it when I see it" qualities and was trying to nail down a few tricks I could use to add crispness to my looks (among other things, I found this <a rel="nofollow" href="http://http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-your-crispness-quotient/page/2">enlightening discussion</a> from about a year ago).&nbsp;</p> <p>What I found was that, in principle, crisp is more of a mood, which embodies freshness, cleanness, simplicity and a certain energy which feels like keen-ness or optimism to me. However, in practice, it was hard to find examples that do not involve either a white button up, or a white pair of pants, or a stripe (usually paired with a white button up or white pants!), usually in a stiff fabric. As much as I love this look, it's not practical for every day!</p> <p>Trying to think of other ways to add the crisp factor - possibly a white tank &nbsp;poking out from&nbsp;under my neutral v-necks, a classic but bright nail polish, white tees (rather than button ups). Pastels? What do you think? Does crisp always mean adding white? How can casual be made crisp?&nbsp;</p> <p>Love to hear your collective wisdom!</p> <p> </p>