How to wear casual tailoring

Tailoring is no longer just about boardrooms and black-tie events - casual takes have become much more popular, as men look to elevate their everyday looks and invest in looking their best. This trend blends the best of casualwear with tailoring.

Whether you’re looking to scale back what you wear for work, or upgrade your day-to-day outfits, laid-back tailored looks can completely update your style.

What is casual tailoring?

Casual tailoring is all about blending the sharpness of traditional tailoring with the laid-back feel of casualwear. It can help you feel put together without feeling overdressed - perfect for hitting that sweet spot between formal and relaxed.

Unlike formal suiting, casual tailoring is softer and more flexible, with a focus on comfort as well as style. It’s the ideal way to look like you’re made the effort without trying too hard. It’s different to smart casual, which is more about blending casual and dressier pieces together to fit with a dress code. With casual tailoring, it’s all about the structure of the pieces.

At the heart of this style are more relaxed fits, a mix-and-match approach to selecting your outfits, and unstructured styles. It might be a pair of tailored trousers with an untucked linen shirt, or wearing a corduroy suit with a roll neck or a mock neck.

How to style casual tailoring

Casual tailoring is all about creating the right balance between the formal and the comfortable. Layering and playing with the structure of your outfits is key. One of the easiest ways to style casual tailoring is to start with a classic blazer or jacket. However, for a smart casual look you'll want to go for softer fabrics, like linen, cotton or unstructured wool for a more relaxed feel.
Don’t be scared to size up or to try something like a relaxed fit suit to get that oversized, deconstructed look. The fit should be a bit looser with a longer length and softer shoulder where possible.

As for your bottom half, you can either match and go for suit trousers designed to go with your jacket, or you can mix it up. A pair of contrasting chinos in a more fitted style can help you balance the size and shape of a jacket that’s somewhere between styles.

If you do decide to match it up, lean it more towards casual with a soft piece of knitwear underneath, or a high quality t-shirt that looks a bit smarter. Think cashmere, merino knits and premium, heavy cotton for your tees.

A classic piece of casual tailoring is a pair of wide-leg trousers, combining them with a casual shirt or one that’s layered over a tee. The trousers are still very much tailored, and designed to be worn in an elevated way, but the shirt just takes it down a notch. Bonus points if it’s linen in the summer months.

Your shoes should complement the casual nature of the outfit too. Loafers, suede trainers, or leather Derby shoes are all good picks when it comes to casual tailoring. To scale it back, unbutton your blazer, roll up your sleeves, and add your favourite style-appropriate accessories.