In search of "casual crisp" ... your thoughts? - YouLookFab Forum

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In search of "casual crisp" ... your thoughts?

Helena

Veteran

Hi everyone,
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 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 enlightening discussion from about a year ago).

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!

Trying to think of other ways to add the crisp factor - possibly a white tank poking out from 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?

Love to hear your collective wisdom!

General

20 replies

Latest reply was from N-Marie

unfrumped

Veteran

Hmm, other things that come to mind are straight lines and straight cuts in contrast to drapey and boho.
Possibly "angular". Yet a knit blazer, which is softer and more comfortable than a woven, slick fabric blazer, 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 in more smooth fabrications. Handbag might be more structured, or rectangular, than bucket or hobo. T-shirt tops in woven silk are not crispy, but can have more structure than knits.
Stripes and plaids might look more crisp than florals.
High-contrast can be with colors, not just black & white.

Anonymous

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 Angie can enlighten us.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

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.

Helena

Veteran

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 ...
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 terms of crisp fabrics, crisp cuts, and crisp colors, and then maybe incorporate at least one or two of these elements when going for a crisp look?
Amazing how much you can tease apart such a simple word!

Helena

Veteran

Laura, was posting at same time as you - thanks for the ideas!

Anonymous

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.

Sal

Veteran

Casual sneakers ie converse, supergra, can add a bit of a crisp look.

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.

rachylou

Veteran

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.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

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.

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.

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) but we also NEED the warmth of knitwear. So this is one way to address the problem.

DonnaF

Veteran

Crisp is better on me than soft. I'm looking for a navy & white or black & white small checked shirt. Maybe seersucker but doesn't have to be. Polished cotton. Nothing more drapey than chambray.

Marilyn

Veteran

Looking forward to hearing Angie's thoughts on this.
I'm not sure that crisp equates to wovens, etc. I think drapey and soft can still
look crisp. I feel like it has more to do perhaps with the structure of
a garment, clean lines, maybe colour combinations (such a black and white), and the overall vibe of an outfit.

Unfrumped mentioned knit blazers. I love knit blazers and sweater jackets and moto jackets made of stretchy cotton fabrications. They may not be as
crisp as a woven blazer but they are super comfortable and add a
polished, crisp look to outfits IMO.

Mona

Veteran

How about pointy toed low vamp flats? would that add to the crispness of the outfit?

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I love Kiwigirl and Suz's take on "crisp".

Anonymous

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 burgundy. Maybe that might be a good alternative to white?

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. 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.

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

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 hard concept to pin down, though.

Helena

Veteran

thanks everyone for your thoughts! it IS a tricky one as it encompasses specific features as well as moods, seasons, etc.
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.
Rachylou, I'll explore wovens more, although I don't iron so that's a bit restrictive
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!
Donna, Marilyn, Mona, great suggestions, thank you!
texstyle, yes, they nailed it!
Aubergine, that is funny - fall-ready style is gorgeous too - warm and cozy.
Gradfashionista, I like that - clear boundaries. Well said.

Thanks one and all!

annabelle

Veteran

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) Caroline always has a casual way about her.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

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!

Sal

Veteran

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.

I don't know if that makes sense or not.

N-Marie

Veteran

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 button downs, knit or ponte blazers (like unfrumped). These are much more friendly to a MOTG lifestyle than a more constricting woven short or jacket but have a similar visual effect. And you often don't have to iron or dry clean them, which is a key factor for me!

Pants or skirts stiffer than jersey or weathered denim (again, a denim with stretch or a ponte knit can substitute for a less flexible fabric)
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"