How to be Casual in Formal Clothes - Look Elegant & Relaxed in Suits and Blazers

How to dress up in a dressed-down world, without feeling too formal or stuffy. There are two approaches to this elegant, nonchalant style, embracing elements of the modern gentleman look and European sprezzatura.
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[@MariusT107]

My favourite Oscar Wilde quote is: A gentleman can never be overdressed or over educated.

[@advhawk6455]

Tweed blazers in earth tones with dark blue jeans, a neutral button-down, and some chelsea boots. Snobs will hate how good you look. Slobs will hate how good you feel.

[@mehitabel6564]

I don't know which snobs would hate it. Here in the heart of landed gentry country a stones throw from King Charles's private house it is de rigueur if not wearing country sportswear.

[@thespacesbetweenstudio3346]

this is my go to. I ended buying too many tweed blazers, if that is possible. ha

[@thegrowl2210]

I like that you give genuinely practical advice, rather than useless platitudes in your videos. Great channel.

[@samwiseman150]

This can also come down to a lack of confidence, being worried about what people will think. You can overcome this by practising in your house until you can wear things like suits and hats without feeling awkward and self-conscious. I also came up with pre-prepared responses for people asking why I’m ‘dressed up’.

[@maciejoleksiak8828]

you just say: "Do I need an occasion to dress nice?" and then you laugh on the inside when they start staring into the ground and try to come up with an answer to that

[@RescueApple5]

I travel a lot, so it's a little challenge to dress elegantly and with comfort. I opt often to dark wash jeans, chukka boots or loafers. Up top, I layer. because it's either ice cold or stuffy and hot inside an airplane...mostly wear LSBD shirts, bomber or herrington jacket. Love your YT channel...

[@user-jn9bq9tl2x]

I agree the situation can loosely dictate the dress code. I tend to dress more eclectic if I’m going to a concert or play, but slightly more formal if I’m going out to eat in a classy restaurant. Having a wide variety of clothing styles helps in this regard.

[@williamkazak469]

Another idea; you can wear a knitted tie with OCBD, chinos, or linen trousers. Not always with a blazer. Just a shirt on top. Sometimes throw a sweater over your shoulders. I have gone toward a two button blazer even though I like double breasted, which I find are a little over the top for me right now in my current life situation. There are navy blazers with brass or pewter buttons. There are tweeds and cotton blazers. Linen blazers with linen slacks in a matching or contrasting color look great and not too formal. Don't be too fussy if the linen trousers do not match. That is your own "tonal" way of dressing! Thank you for your videos.

[@Gent.Z]

Lots of great suggestions, William. I see you have mastered this style yourself. Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@ChrisFloresTV]

Great insights and ideas, man!

[@darbyheavey406]

Sweater over shoulders is too much…

[@williamkazak469]

@@darbyheavey406 Then it is not for you. Be yourself.

[@loofloof1441]

You made my video idea, thanks man! I would also love to see a video about how to style a polo shirt and not look like a dad - thanks alot again✌️

[@Gent.Z]

I did indeed! Thank you again for the suggestion. The polo is another one that has some ‘older’ connotations, so that’s a great idea

[@unknowninfinium4353]

Good to see some good fashion and style tips than the usual how not to dress stuff.

[@TeslaRules1856]

Even wearing a blue sports jacket, button down oxford, dark jeans, dress boots - I was told I was dressing for success. That's okay I am. Wonder if I was wearing dress trousers and a tie with that jacket what I would be dressing for ?

[@user-vg4hk7th7m]

Mixing elevated and relaxed pieces work. A sport coat with a t shirt, dress pants of a contrasting color, or jeans, with loafers. Looks nice but hardly formal.

[@CornCod1]

My current pattern is sports jacket or blazer M-Thr and Sun. Jacket minus tie on Fridays and neat-casual most saturdays. I got two compliments on my outfits last week (one from a pretty gal). Folks say nice things about my clothes all the time.

[@Gent.Z]

That sounds like a good rotation, I’m sure you get plenty of compliments!

[@simonsoo124]

Very useful pointers and suggestions for 'dressing-down' on weekends. Thank you.

[@Gent.Z]

Glad you enjoyed, Simon. Thank you for the comment

[@rogercurrie]

I just got pair of Astorflex Pantnoflex travel loafers from Huckberry, in tan, they will be a perfect summer casual shoe. When I do wear a jacket, my summer go to is a linen sports jacket, I wear a pocket square and I just scrunch it in the pocket so people notice it. It makes you standout and your look is still casual.

[@JorgeFCR2502]

Small classy details will mark your style, differentiate yourself from others and magnetically attract feminine glances. 👍

[@mehitabel6564]

As a woman I can say it is true! Few things are more disheartening when one's male companion turns up looking ill dressed. And well dressed isn't even complicated! Dark (clean but not pressed) jeans, a button-down shirt and one of the shoe options mentioned is all that's needed in most situations.

[@ChrisFloresTV]

This was such a great video. There certainly is a mindscape that goes with dressing up in contrast to the environment we coexist in. When I started gravitating towards the direction of formality, I learned that consistency in doing so desensitizes those you see on a regular basis. It went from "well look at you!" to a non-issue. After a few years of doing so, the regimen is now correlated to my personal lifestyle from the perspective of others. It's that initial step of uncertainty that people just need to get past and then it becomes liberating to freely express yourself with fine garments. There's a resistance by many when it comes to formal clothing because they actually think it's "uncomfortable" when in reality, it's the exact opposite because of premium materials. Thanks again for all your insights, brother.

[@Gent.Z]

Hi Chris, thank you for sharing your insight here. I love the community we are building with this channel! Walso have the option of gradually introducing others to our new sense of formality because acquiring these pieces can be a long process. But indeed, people come to associate you with style, and even expect you to dress in that way. My aim is generally to only be slightly more formal than others. And I don’t particularly aim to be more formal, I just happen to love double breasted suits and loafers 😂

[@ChrisFloresTV]

​@@Gent.Z I'm on the same page actually! Hah! I should have clarified that I'm not on the level of the KZbin channel Gentlemen's Gazette, but definitely more inline with your viewpoints, as well. I too lean on the more "approachable" side of things. I'm prepping to create YT content myself and really finding inspiration from your insights. You have a great way of expressing ideas and actually look the part in an uncontrived, effortless way. Appreciate the conversation, mate!

[@TheJVCMan]

you can never be over dressed in my view. better to be over the norm/expectation than under.

[@skoparweaver7692]

Try showing up to a work event at a golf course in a three piece suit or try going to the office wearing a tux. There's a point where it does become so over the top that it's ridiculous...

[@Aurora-bv1ys]

@@skoparweaver7692 I agree, the place decides what you wear, not the other way around.

[@jackemarleeyoung]

I think id look pretentious wearing a 3 piece suit to a Millers restaurant while my friends are wearing jeans and sneakers.

[@uglukthemedicineman5933]

@jackemarleeyoung If you did that, people would think you're the Boss of your friend group haha

[@badgasaurus4211]

One of those comments that sounds great in your head but when put out to the court of public opinion, falls apart like a wet piece of kitchen roll

[@Ricardovalentimbom]

Very good content, and insights well on point. I would say that also that in the fall/winter season is even easier to get that “one notch above”, sweater, jackets, over jackets, scarfs, and also using different scents or hats, even gloves… it makes it easier to stand out. Summer it may be more about using the right fabric and/or pattern.

[@Gent.Z]

Absolutely, I would agree it is easier to show off your style when you can add a third or second layer. In the summer, a lightweight blazer or safari jacket is one viable way to do this without overheating!

[@toobalkain]

this is the outfit you look your best in, at least from the videos I've seen, and because you wear no tie the pocket square doesn't feel like too much, very nice, not too crazy about brass buttons but it works here.

[@mehitabel6564]

I simply don't understand the response that people think that you think you are 'better than them' or think you're superior. I also have resting bitch face and your advice to make an effort to smile and be friendly is spot on. I've not seen that suggested by any other style pundit, male or female. And it gets better with practice.

[@user-vg4hk7th7m]

Excellent points! I am a bit older than your usual audience, but the ideas remain valid! Just do a hip take on the classics, and it looks casual not stiff. Texture, brown and unexpected colors, sprezzatura all combines to dress down formal clothes. Also how you wear the piece matters .. don't be all buttoned up! A lot of male English, Italian and French celebs are skilled at this ..

[@kovarilaszlo3146]

Nice video, good tips, but mostly, a great choice of topic. I find that I really like to dress formal (I like how it makes me feel), but when you're only starting out, it can be a socially awkward thing. I learned however that although blending in and wearing only one notch above the average can be nice and "socially rewarding", going for the more formal looks really require that sprezzatura feeling in order to be well recieved in the public eye. That comes with time however, if you wear your clothes consistently for some years, they mold to your body and habits, you become phisically and mentally more comfortable in them and people won't pick you out as much. People are usually picking up on insecurity and self-counsciousness very easy, but when you get past a point where your clothes feel absolutely natural to you, they won't negatively associate anymore. I found that this effect works so much in fact, that it can make one's outfit look natural and nice even if it has some serious problems (like too similar but not the same colours that clash, or clashing textures or patterns, things like that). All in all, I guess the biggest factor is having an intimate relationship with your clothes, and wearing them until they don't cause any self-counsciousness or insecurity.

[@Gent.Z]

Thanks for your comment. I felt like this was an under-discussed topic, especially for people who are new to this style of dressing. I think you have a great understanding of the term sprezzatura and I share a lot of your feelings there. For me, it's very important to be relaxed in your clothes. So I don't like to worry, for example, about my linen shirts getting creased, or my pocket square being a little wonky. I think moving to a hot climate has also forced me to learn new habits because the weather has forced me to adapt to less 'formal' fabrics and styles of shirts, ties, jackets etc

[@kovarilaszlo3146]

@@Gent.Z That's nice, when you don't get bothered by creases in your shirt and your open jacket's quarters flapping randomly in the wind. I also like your tip of having those formal pieces in a non-business colour. I do this a lot, actually I had this in consideration when choosing my wardrobe size. Here is the dilemma I had: if I'll have a capsule wardrobe, I get to have only the very basics in jackets, trousers, shirts etc., because they have to be exchangeable. But sticking to the basic pieces is kinda boring and you're easily mistaken for a businessman or lawyer. However, if I go for a bigger number of each clothing item (and thus a bigger wardrobe), I can include the more specific, non-foundational pieces, but having that many pieces has the danger of not wearing each item to the point I am relaxed and comfortable in them. Having that worn-in feeling is absolutely necessary to not look like a fashion model, but rather a true person, and having too many clothes runs the risk of never developing this feeling. So what I did is a simple thing: I do have many pieces, and I do include some that are bolder, and they can't be combined with many things, but I order them in a very detailed way according to the seasons. There is some overlap between the seasons (mostly spring and autumn are somewhat exchangeable), but during a season I use only a fraction of my clothes. This way I can really have variety, I can wear my season-specific clothes intensively, but when time passes, I go on and have a different selection. You don't have to have a huge wardrobe for this to work, you can set how much overlap you want between the seasons.

[@neil03051957]

In a cheap restaurant where jeans dominate, wear chinos, cotton shirt, nice footwear - leather. Some assessories. Signet.

[@theotht]

ure a legend

[@Gent.Z]

Glad you're enjoying the channel!

[@LeviHeatonIII]

My eveing clothes are suits. I wear suits to bdubs. If I go out in the evening I wear a suit. Isc what anybody else is wearing. You just have to be confident and comfortable being the person you want to be

[@hellonihaocomoestas]

I am a former soldier with full sleeve tattoos transitioning into the corporate world (in uni studying finance). Could you do a video giving your fashion advice for people that would like to look gentlemanly/formal in the summer without revealing the skin on their arms? I would love to roll up my shirt sleeves but unfortunately I do not feel comfortable revealing my ink in my professional environment. Thank you!

[@rogercurrie]

I just saw your comment. I don't have tattoos but I did work with many people that did. I am older so maybe my thoughts won't help. I think that a light coloured linen shirt with long sleeves would be a great summer option for you. I really like wearing linen shirts and with a light colour it would work to leave the sleeves down or even just up one roll. And if you had on a nice watch people may notice that. These are my thoughts and I hope they were useful to you. Take care.

[@hellonihaocomoestas]

Thank you very much!@@rogercurrie

[@RockTo11]

Take advice from your other video.... you said most men dress like their children. It is true, and most men are also quite scruffy. I wear nice clothes whenever I go out, because I want to. It results in receiving better attention, better customer service, and being treated well. I often get nice comments from people. I also get more respect from other guys who are possibly feeling like they've lacked a little in their efforts. It is everyone else who is inappropriately styled. They are sheep because they are timid.

[@sjoerdslavenburg7775]

Thank you very much for this video, I have enjoyed it very much. As an older guy from Holland I am trying to dress up more and skip the more youth orientated fashion. Men style on the continent seem to be more tight and sometimes too small for my taste. British cut jackets seem too large😅

[@Gent.Z]

Thanks for your comment! I think it’s important to dress in a style that makes you feel good and I hope my channel helps you on that journey

[@KadeBronson]

You've come a long way in 3 months.

[@Gent.Z]

Thank you! Yes, and the channel has grown at a much faster rate than I was anticipating!

[@ABC-rh7zc]

Very interesting but controversial topic and I'm afraid that I don't agree with all of your points. Although I agree that turning up to work in full morning dress at a workplace full of shorts and T-shirts is of course too wide a gap, there are many levels in between and I disagree that you should be just one notch above. the pack. For one thing, just one notch above most people is still not going to be at all sartorial, elegant or stylish. So in your example of the restaurant full of jeans and T-shirts and sneakers, I would have no hesitation in wearing a dress shirt with a jacket, pleated trousers and leather derby boots, even though that's several increments up the scale. Regarding the James Bond images - he looks like he's on a camping trip - this is too casual for any city setting, imo. (Daniel Craig is terribly dressed in those movies in general). Regarding your thought about considering how your clothes make other people feel, shouldn't that work both ways? I can't stand to see grown men in shorts, hoodies or baseball caps but that doesn't stop them. Also, if you don't set an example for others to follow , how will they ever learn? To quote Tom Ford "Dressing well is a form of good manners."

[@bobberry655]

Definitely brush down a dark jacket before wearing it.

[@thedailyword8370]

The only thing I wish to add is that psychology tells us is that women prefer men to wear their sleeves rolled up to shown our forearms... just saying!

[@mehitabel6564]

As a woman, yes true! It is very sexy even with the rest of the outfit being more formal or showing little skin.

[@davidthom7127]

I'd ask, how many of the people not dressed smartly, like sheep, are thinking, I'd love to wear a beautiful suit, but I don't have a pair, so I'll just conform. I'd ask, are you a follower?

[@thomasjpuleo8112]

Chelseas and chukkas call for a vibe that I just don’t have.

[@Alithia451]

Wear an ascot.

[@3581tossit]

I would stay away from necklaces, bracelets, pinky rings. A decent watch and a wedding band is the only jewelry you need.

[@elias_kx]

If the jewelry has meaning it works, I.e. order of the engineer wearing a silver band on pinky finger of working hand.

[@arko9151]

I wouldn't, jewelry adds a lot of character. Think the Sopranos or jazz musicians

[@justindantonio257]

Jewelry adds character to your wardrobe if it's done tastefully and sparingly, to much makes you look gaudy or ostentatious, too little or none makes you look too boring or basic.

[@alexmarques2398]

After days or years, it becomes part of you. Even the ones that do not know will not find it strange. Other point of view, why blend like zebras? 🦓🦓 You do you.

[@Gent.Z]

Well said, Alex!

[@skoparweaver7692]

Shave that mustache lol

[@Besalu]

I've been watching your videos for over a year but I do not know your name. You never introduce yourself in your videos, what is your name?