How To Nail Casual-Cool

Isn’t it funny how most of us default to activewear on weekends when we have little on? The same goes for watching kids play sports, racing to the shops, or anything that doesn’t require much time and effort.

I get it and am guilty of doing the same most weekends, but I think the reason behind our choice to look sporty rather than casual is interesting…

Comfort obviously plays a huge part, but I also think it’s deemed more acceptable to appear to look sporty versus, well, plain comfortable. It’s like we’ve lost the art of dressing for downtime without resorting to leggings or tracksuit pants. I don’t always want to wear jeans when racing to my son’s 9 am soccer game, but I don’t always want to wear leggings, either. Is there an in-between look? I think so, and I hope I’ve kind of illustrated what that could be with today’s edit.

The key to nailing this tricky casual weekend vibe is to play with opposites. If you’re going sporty with leggings, try modernising the look with a trench coat or oversized shirt instead of a sweater. The same goes if you are opting for jeans — a fleecy jumper, socks, and Birkenstocks will tone the whole look down to be more sidelines-friendly than too serious. Basically, being half dressed up and half dressed down is the secret to the in-between! Mixing proportions as well as fabrics will give you a good starting block. That, and also hiding underneath a cap and an oversized cup of coffee.

Now, let’s get casual-cool, baby.