casual wear
She prefers casual wear like jeans and T-shirts for everyday activities.
She likes to wear informal clothes such as jeans and T-shirts for daily use.
Clothing designed for informal, relaxed occasions rather than formal or professional settings.
The office has a casual wear policy on Fridays.
Employees are allowed to wear informal clothes on Fridays.
I packed mostly casual wear for the weekend trip.
I brought mostly relaxed, informal clothes for the weekend.
Often contrasted with 'formal wear' or 'business attire'.
Collocations
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Distinguish from 'casuals'
In British English, 'casuals' can colloquially refer to casual clothing brands (e.g., 'I shop at Casuals'). In American English, this is less common.
Gold Rule
Casual wear vs. smart casual
Casual wear is strictly informal (e.g., jeans and a T-shirt), while 'smart casual' implies a slightly elevated but still relaxed style (e.g., chinos and a polo shirt).
Word Origin
Compound of 'casual' (from Latin *casualis*, meaning 'occasional') and 'wear' (Old English *wǣr*, related to clothing). First attested in the early 20th century as a descriptor for non-formal clothing.
Usage Notes
Commonly used in retail, fashion, and workplace dress codes. Often abbreviated as 'casuals' in informal contexts (e.g., 'casuals section').