History

• Throughout history, there have been many different types of informal costume. In the 18th and 19th centuries, women wore casual dress inside the home during the hours before social calls. Consisting of loose dresses, robes and caps, it was considered a sight for familiar eyes only. As women moved into the workforce, casual clothing was relegated to weekend wear -- outfits suitable for romping, but not for professional places. In the late 1980s, office environments sought to maximize employee effectiveness by allowing dress-down days. As the work environment becomes even more loosely regimented, office and casual dress often become one and the same.

Identification

• In its simplest form, casual dress is anything that one wouldn't wear to an important social affair or to the office. For most, this includes denim jeans, T-shirts, sweatshirts and sweatpants, and anything a person would feel comfortable wearing to the mall with friends. The rule of thumb for casual dress is simple: If it's okay for a trip to the local fast food joint or a backyard barbecue, it's casual. Another good gauge is the amount of care the garment requires. A dry-clean only pair of pants or a linen dress are definitely not as casual as a T-shirt and pair of cargo pants that can go in the washer.

Types

• Casual dress can sometimes be confusing, as there are various definitions. The casual dress for an office isn't the same casual dress that would work at the local bar. "Casual Friday" wear includes well-maintained jeans, fitted sweaters with low necklines, street sneakers and khaki pants. There is even casual evening dress; this includes fashion that is suitable for a first date at the movies and an informal dinner, or an outfit for a house party.

Significance

• The advent of more laid-back fashion allowed women more mobility, along with a freer schedule. Less formal clothing means cheaper maintenance, along with significant time savings; most people don't have to press, freshen or wear special underpinnings for casual apparel, which reduces the hassle. Wider availability of casual clothing also allowed more room to explore personal tastes and style without the higher price tags associated with fancier dress.

Warning

• While casual clothing is a godsend to many stressed-out professionals in need of a wardrobe vacation, others see it as the harbinger of workplace decline. Stephanie Armour of USA Today reports, "Younger employees are more likely to push the envelope, rankling more veteran generations who have long worked in offices where ties and skirts were expected no matter the day of the week. Many employers resent becoming fashion police." Casual dress days are now becoming the exact opposite -- more regimented and less about letting it all hang out. When wearing casual dress, remember that less is more; to be safe, try mixing one casual piece with other, more dressy components. This will lend balance and will make casual dressing in the office less of a minefield.