FashionBeans Outlines 2026 Casual Style Guide for Men
A new style guide argues casual dressing is more challenging than tailoring, tracing its roots to 1950s rebellion and offering modern rules focused on fit
Looking good in a suit is straightforward with a good tailor, but mastering casual dress presents a greater challenge. With only one in ten people now wearing a suit to work according to one survey, men are spending more time and money on their off-duty wardrobes, according to a new guide from FashionBeans.
Casual menswear can trace its origins to the 1950s. After World War II, teenagers in the UK and America rejected formal attire, embracing jeans, T-shirts, and leather jackets as symbols of freedom and rebellion. Films like Rebel Without A Cause and music stars like Elvis Presley cemented this anti-establishment uniform. Jonathan Cheung, SVP of Levi’s Design, believes denim's rise happened because it was adopted by biker gangs post World War II, young guys, back from the war who started wearing Levi’s as part of biker culture.
The Modern Casual Landscape
The first rule of casual dress today is that there are no rules, which the guide argues is precisely the problem. With the suit's decline, major luxury fashion houses have pivoted towards casual and streetwear. Brands like Gucci, Dior, and Prada now produce items ranging from £400 sliders to limited-edition hoodies that resell for thousands. The guide asks if it's possible to dress well casually without buying into this "ridiculousness," and answers affirmatively.
Foundational Principles for Casual Style
Fit is most important, though the ideal varies. While a traditional slim fit remains popular, the guide notes a recent shift towards looser, boxier shirts and wide-legged trousers. Comfort is key; wearing something that feels wrong will show, regardless of price.
Simplicity offers a timeless alternative to loud logos. The guide suggests looking to brands like A.P.C., AMI, and COS for inspiration in unfussy, pared-back clothing. A simple denim and T-shirt combination, it argues, can be endlessly varied through subtle tweaks like tucking, rolling sleeves, or adjusting the jean cut.
Building a Personal Uniform
Adopting a casual uniform can simplify dressing. This could be a style-based rotation, like navy trousers with white sneakers, or a color-based preference, such as an all-black ensemble. The guide cites Jeff Goldblum's frequent leather jacket look as an example of a personal uniform done well.
To future-proof a wardrobe, the guide advises dabbling in trends sparingly. A good rule is to use just one trend item per outfit, like a logo cap, and build the rest from classic, lasting pieces such as a quality bomber jacket.
Nick Ashley, creative director of Private White V.C., observes that "menswear has been casual since the Second World War, men couldn’t wait to get out of uniform." The guide concludes by reaffirming that denim jeans, a staple since the 1950s, remain the backbone of the casual wardrobe, with their popularity only continuing to rise.
