Casual clothing: a buying guide

Casual clothing is what is worn on an ordinary day: sweatshirts, T-shirts, track tops, straight trousers and light jackets. It is not defined by a single brand or era, so a casual item is judged by its cloth and construction rather than by the name on the label.

What the casual style is

The casual style combines comfortable, easy items that work together without much thought. It borrows from sportswear, workwear and classic clothing, and it is the part of a wardrobe that is worn most often. Brands such as Nike, Adidas, Champion, Russell Athletic, Dickies, Lacoste and The North Face all make items that belong to it. Sweatshirts, track jackets and graphics are covered in the sportswear guide.

Judge the garment, not the label

In many categories the brand narrows the choice down, as with a Burberry trench coat or a Carhartt jacket. In casual clothing the same brand can make a heavy sweatshirt and a thin printed T-shirt, so the label says little about the quality of a single item.

The cloth is the better guide. On a sweatshirt, the weight and the inside of the fabric matter. On a T-shirt, the amount of light that shows through the cloth matters. On a track top, the zip and the ribbing matter. Those checks say more about an item than its name.

The main casual items

• Sweatshirts and hoodies. A good sweatshirt has real weight, ribbed cuffs that still spring back and a graphic that has aged evenly. Turned inside out, loops or a brushed surface show how the cloth is made. These are collected under sweaters and hoodies.
• T-shirts. Heavier cotton generally wears better and keeps its shape at the neck. One visible line of stitching at the hem and sleeve, rather than two, often points to an older T-shirt. These are under T-shirts and long sleeves.
• Track tops. The zip is checked first, then the ribbing at the cuffs and hem.
• Straight-leg trousers. Twill work trousers and straight jeans form the base of many casual outfits. The Dickies guide explains how they fit, and the range is under trousers and jeans.

Prints and graphics

Many casual items carry a print, and prints age in their own way. A print that has cracked evenly across its surface is ageing normally. A print that lifts at the edges keeps coming off with every wash. Embroidery generally lasts longer than a print.

Each item is inspected, authenticated, cleaned and measured before it is added to the store. Each step is described in How leverene works.

Casual sizing

The size on the label says little about the measurements of a casual item, because cuts differ between brands and periods. Every item is measured at four points: chest, length, shoulders and sleeve. With raglan sleeves there is no shoulder seam, so there are three measurements instead of four. Trousers are measured flat at four points: the waist, the inseam, the hem and the outseam. Items shown on a model state the model's height and usual size instead of the four measurements. Comparing those measurements with a sweatshirt or T-shirt that already fits is the reliable method, and the guide to measuring clothing explains how.

How the casual style is put together

A casual outfit starts with one plain base, such as a heavy sweatshirt or a T-shirt with straight trousers, and adds one more distinctive item, such as a track top or a jacket. Casual items also combine with the other styles in the store: a sweatshirt under a workwear jacket, a T-shirt under a classic knit or a hoodie under an outdoor shell.

Where to start

A heavy sweatshirt in a plain colour is a practical first item, because the weight of the cloth is easy to judge. The full range is under casual, with separate pages for men and women. Buying pre-owned clothing online in general is covered in How to buy pre-owned clothing online. Because every item is pre-owned, most items are available only once.

Frequently asked questions

What is casual clothing?

Casual clothing is everyday wear such as sweatshirts, T-shirts, track tops, jeans and twill trousers. It is comfortable, easy to combine and not tied to one brand.

How can the quality of a sweatshirt be judged?

The weight of the cloth, the inside of the fabric and the ribbing at the cuffs and hem show the quality. A heavy sweatshirt with ribbing that springs back keeps its shape longest.

What is the difference between casual and smart casual?

Casual combines sweatshirts, T-shirts and jeans. Smart casual adds more tailored items, such as a shirt with a collar, chinos or a knit.

Does a cracked print mean an item is damaged?

Even cracking across a print is normal ageing. A print that lifts away from the cloth at the edges is a fault, and it is stated in the condition description of the item.