Everybody wants to be comfortable in their downtime. But to feel free and easy while still looking like a productive member of society is a building block of adulthood. It’s not rocket science. The rules are fairly simple, and the goal is clear: to avoid looking like a hobo or a drug addict. Nobody wears that well, not even Charlie Sheen. (Especially not Charlie Sheen).
You want to look put together without feeling constrained, and the key to this is neat-but-comfortable fabrics. You really don’t have to be wearing business-casual gear to pull this off.
There are some things to avoid, however:
-Sweatpants. Just don’t do it.
-Sports jerseys are worn best by a very specific group: professional athletes. And even they only wear them on game day. Do the world a favor and leave yours at home.
-Tank tops.
-And unless you want to be mistaken for a high-school dropout, don’t wear your thrift store T-shirt with a kitschy or campy logo on it, anything studded, spray painted or tattoo-inspired. As we’ve mentioned in the past, generally it’s best to avoid tops or tees with a lot of embellishment.
Simplicity is key here, and remember that cotton is your friend, always a good comfortable bet for casualwear. Also, clean clothing free of stains, holes and rips is paramount—and that’s a general rule to follow unless you’re actually painting the house.
To get the chill-but-collected look, go for a simple V-neck or crew with short or long sleeves, or a collared cotton shirt. We’re not necessarily talking Polo or Brooks Brothers here, and it doesn’t have to be boring—details like contrasted stitching, exposed zippers, cool buttons and pockets help.
In cooler weather, break out a simple, light-knit knit sweater, either V-neck or crew or an anorak-style jacket—perhaps even a zip-neck. Pair that with basic shorts, jeans, cargos or khakis and you’ll be good to go.
A nice pair of flip flops (leather) is fine on occasion, but be wary of overusing them—it’s a slippery slope from “publicly acceptable” to “beach bum.” You’re better off skipping the man-sandals altogether. Birkenstocks, Tevas and flip flops in general cannot be dressed up.
You should have at least one or two pairs of shoes, maybe Vans, Stan Smiths, or Jack Purcells, which are comfortable and casual but actually look nice and clean too.
Topsiders or boat shoes are another easy win here, and Toms, while more casual, can also work. Just remember to keep it simple and you’re ready to roll, boys.
