Casual
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{{about|the dress code}}
{{Unreferenced|date=October 2007}}
In the European tradition, '''casual''' is the [[dress code]] which emphasizes comfort and personal expression over presentation and uniformity. It includes a very wide variety of [[costume]], so it is perhaps better defined by what it ''isn't'' than what it ''is''. The following ''are not'' considered casual wear:
* [[Ceremonial dress]] such as royal robes and [[full dress]] military costume
* [[Formal]] wear such as [[white tie]] and [[black tie]]
* [[Suits]] such as those sold by [[Brooks Brothers]] and [[Chanel]]
* Any stiff or very [[traditional]] elements, such as highly polished dark leather shoes, or highly creased and pressed shirts and [[trousers]]
[[Blue jeans]] and a [[T-shirt]] have been described as the "casual uniform". With the popularity of [[spectator sports]] in the late 20th century, a good deal of athletic gear has influenced casual wear. Clothing worn for [[manual labour|manual labor]] also falls into casual wear.
While utilitarian costume comes to mind first for casual dress, however, there is also a wide range of flamboyance and theatricality. [[Punk fashion|Punk]] costume is a striking example. [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]] introduced a great deal of [[lace]], [[jewelry]], and [[cosmetics]] into casual wear during the 1980s. More recently, [[hip hop fashion]] has played up elaborate jewelry and luxurious materials worn in conjunction with athletic gear and the clothing of manual labor.
Casual wear is typically the dress code in which new forms of [[gender expression]] are attempted before being accepted into semi-casual or semi-formal situations. An obvious example is [[masculinity|masculine]] jewelry, which was once considered shocking or titillating even in casual circles, and is now hardly noteworthy in semi-formal situations. [[Amelia Bloomer]] introduced trousers (of a sort) for women as a casual alternative to formal hoops and skirts. In a recent mirror image, [[sarong]]s and other skirts have been embraced by a few men of the European tradition as a casual alternative to formal trousers. Both of these innovations caused great embarrassment in formal circles.
Skin exposure is most pronounced in casual wear, since it includes all swimwear, but the trend toward female exposure in the 20th century has also pushed the necklines of formal [[Ballgown|ball gowns]] ever lower and the skirts of semi-formal [[cocktail dress]]es ever higher. For men, the exposure of shoulders, thighs, and backs is still limited to casual wear. Full [[nudity]] is still considered shocking in casual circles, except at a very few progressive [[clubs]] and [[beaches]].
==See also==
* [[Casualisation]]
* [[Dress code (Western)]]
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==References==
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[[Category:Fashion aesthetics]]
[[Category:Workwear]]
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[[it:Casual]]
[[ja:カジュアル]]