How to Dress Up Casual Outfits for Confidence
I’m still coming down from the high of our Color Event last weekend. 🌈 We had so many lovely clients, and of course I enjoyed being able to spend time with my London friends! I was on my feet all day for 3 days, so comfort was just as important as looking put-together. Here’s one of the elevated casual outfits I wore for the event (and was quite pleased with!).
Elevated casual outfit idea with a swing jacket
My sizes: Jacket – 6, Shell – Medium, Jeans – 8 Petite
We’ve settled into our May Grey / June Gloom weather pattern, so it’s still jacket and light sweater weather.
👉 Style Tip: Even a casual outfit will look more stylish and pulled-together with 6-10 “points of interest.” Color, pattern, design details (such as piping or contrast), textures, accessories, nail color, glasses, makeup…these all should be considered. As a general rule, the more color and/or pattern you are wearing, the fewer accessories you need.
I was scrolling through the Sézane website doing some research for a style client when I spotted this jacket, and immediately clicked “add to cart.” I’ve always had a thing for swing jackets, and this one hits all the right notes! The shape, the neckline, the fabric, and the covered buttons give it a retro early-60’s vibe, but it works beautifully with a modern casual look. It’s lightweight enough for transitional season wear. The length works well for Petite frames, though the sleeves are just a skosh too long for me. (I’ve folded up the sleeves, and will probably have them shortened.)
Casual but put-together for a day of shopping
The day after our event, Manina and I did some Retail Reconnaissance for a couple of our color and style clients. Most of the other customers at the mall were wearing the (unofficial) Los Angeles uniform of black leggings, a tee or sweatshirt, and sneakers, so we definitely stood out. But we also received several compliments.
If you live in an environment that’s very casual, it can be easy to fall into the mindset of “no one else makes an effort to look put-together, and I don’t want to stand out.” But I believe that style is a way of showing up for ourselves, and helps us feel more confident. And it communicates self-respect and a positive attitude, which in turn makes others respond to us more positively. Who knows, you may even inspire someone else to have more fun with their style!
How do you make your casual, comfortable outfits feel more put-together?
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The number one way to take casual style up a notch is to wear your colors!! As a winter I’m always inspired by Manina! Yesterday I had to do an airport run = 4 hours in the car round trip. I wore an F and E outfit in a mid cool gray (eleohant) (hiding my compression socks) and gray New Balance 574. Just my daytime minimal jewelry and no makeup. Felt great having breakfast at a diner pre drop off and hitting N Rack and Whole Foods after drop off before the return drive home. Oh and I found a little jacket like yours at Rack by T Tahari in navy!
Glad your colour styling sessions went so well. Of course, I never doubted that for a minute.
The Sézanne jacket is sooo good. I don’t mind the folded up sleeves. It looks casual elegance to me but if you don’t like folding them, by all means, have them shortened. Few women have the exact measurements that designers create their clothes with. So having them tailored to your measurements is key. A good fit is everything.
Great post!
I’m a cool season & similar body type to Manina. Can you please share the top & jeans brands she’s wearing?
Thank you!
Elle
Hi Elle, Thanks! Manina’s top is a 30-year-old Issey Miyake Pleats Please jacket. The jeans are the same dark wash style I’m wearing in the top photo: https://go.shopmy.us/p-16451291
Love your blog (been following the last several months)….read 6-10 points of interest (new to me), thanks for the information. I’m curious at to what you do with your “old” clothes/shoes and how in the world do you decide what stays and goes and how often do you purge the closet?
P.S. so happy when people retire and find something to fill the void that makes them happy, good for you.
Hi Robin, personally I consign some of the items, give some to a friend’s daughters, and donate some to a local charity shop. Here’s a prior article I wrote about “wardrobe detox” that explains the process I use: Closet cleanse 101: the ultimate wardrobe detox guide
Susan, I really like the cashmere shell and jacket. That shade of green is so pretty on you.
Thanks, Linda!
Can you offer a little more about the sizing of the ‘Betty’ cardigan which I have been admiring for months. When I look at Sezane’s sizing chart it states that a Small is a size 4 which makes sense to me and looks right on you.
But Medium is a US 6, Large is 8, XL is 10, XXL is 12, XXXL is 14, XXXXL is 16!
I’d love to order one but the size conversions seem off. I did try contacting them but never heard back.
Hi Mary, as I usually order online, I haven’t been able to compare other sizes. But one of my blogger friends who is usually a size 8-10 US found the Medium a good fit. (I’m usually a 6 in jackets, so I think the sizing may run slightly large.)
I usually wear a US size 10. In Sezane, I wear a size 40 blouse (I have 3 and the sizing has been consistent). I’ve only ever ordered one item in SML sizing, a knit dress, and their size XL was a good fit.
I wear a 12+ and got the Betty in XL and it is great. L would fit me but would be closer to sweater than jacket.
I love the fact that you stood out! I retired yesterday and was honored with a celebration. One former colleague and dear friend told me what I would miss the most was dressing up(we both love clothes!) I hope in my transition I can find the same casual, polished look you have. Thanks for inspiring me!!
Hi Jill, thanks so much! Though it can be more challenging to look and feel put-together with casual clothes, there’s also a lot of freedom in not having to adhere to workplace dress codes. Have fun experimenting!
Susan, I’ve enjoyed your blog for several years now & you do a great job of showing us different options. Thank you! Your travel posts are always favorites for me too. I have an LA question, if you don’t mind. My son goes to school there now, so I’m interested in some good shopping areas. Any you’d recommend? LA is rather overwhelming to me, so I’ve only been to the Grove area so far.
Hi Michelle, Westfield Century City mall in West Los Angeles has a good selection of shops, and I find it easier to get in and out of than the Grove. (And there’s a huge Eataly with lots of yummy casual dining selections!)
Thank you!
I enjoyed your post today. I love your oxfords. I’d like to follow Manina’s instragram account since I’m a winter and love her color combinations. What name does she use?
Thanks, Judy! You can follow Manina here: @Manina_Style and Red Leopard (her Color & style business account here @redleopard_uk
Hi Susan, could you recommend an account to follow for those of us who are summers? Thank you! I love your blog.
So, looking at Marina’s coloring and outfit, I’m guessing she’s a bright winter. Am I right?
Yes, what we call a Jewel Winter.
I totally agree with your comments about making an effort even though you live in a casual environment. I moved back to California from Atlanta and I had a major adjustment to make concerning clothing needs. To satisfy my need for dressing up some, I always change for dinner. We play backgammon every evening before dinner and I enjoy making the evening more special.
Inspired by your posts on a Paris/London capsule, I took extra care to pack my autumn colors and bring scarves that tied pieces together. I was very pleased by the results. Especially taking the time to add a scarf – which I usually don’t make the extra effort to do! Not only did I feel like a Parisienne, but my photos were vibrant. So many residual results! Thanks for all you do for us, Susan.
Thank you Susan and everyone else who responded to my question about the sizing of the Betty cardigan. It really helped and I’m pretty sure an XL will work for me.
Thanks you all again.
I love your style! Did you see the Soleya jacket in the “Taormina print”? It is calling my name, I loved a flowered print and these colors are perfect.