Just A Thought On Individual Variations: 

“If they give you ruled paper, write the other way.”

--  e.e. cummings 

We all have a little rebel in us, but when the look of the formal wear is so classic and all of us look good in black tie, why spoil it with a raspberry ruffled shirt, an unusual collar or tie treatment just to satisfy the desire for individuality?  

In formal wear there isn’t much room for creativity without making a social blunder. Don’t mess with what is working; formal wear has been with us for over a century. 

But, if the urge of individual expression arouses in your loins there are a few items with which you can tinker.  A colored or patterned bow tie or cummerbund (not both), cuff links and studs that are out of the ordinary, fancy braces, velvet slippers (especially at home), and a vest instead of a cummerbund are all acceptable options.

DON’T BE A CASUAL CASUALTY!

The word "Casual", circa 1852, is from Middle French casuel, Late Latin casualis, and Latin casus, all meaning: "subject to, resulting from, or occurring by chance; unpremeditated; offhand: a casual remark".

Other common meanings are: being without ceremony or formality; relaxed; showing little interest, or concern; nonchalant; lenient; permissive; not close or intimate (i.e. "casual sex"). Why do we dress up to have casual sex?

Casual also can mean occurring at irregular or infrequent intervals and is used to refer to a migratory worker ("casual labor"), and in Military terms an officer or enlisted person awaiting assignment or transportation to a unit.

Throughout the history of menswear certain attire was always worn for specific occasions. Most gentlemen in Victorian times changed into White Tie and Tails after 6 pm. Deviation from business wear was accepted when you spent the weekend at a country estate, which called for suits of tweed and other rough fabrics not befitting city wear.

True casual wear began with the introduction of the sport shirt in the mid 1930’s and "casual" referred to clothes suitable for spectator sportswear. Instead of wearing your business suit to the horse races you could don a loud "sports" jacket and sports shirt. The movement to casual gained impetus with the acceptance of Bermuda shorts in the 1950’s, and got a big push in the 1960’s with mod fashions such as the leisure suit, and turtlenecks worn instead of ties.

Casual business clothing on Friday was introduced during the late 1980’s.  In 1991, Alcoa, the Pittsburgh (thanks Matt) aluminum company, adopted casual business dress for everyday.

CASUAL WEAR BY OCCASION:

Let’s separate casual into five degrees! Remember  within these categories styles can range from dressy to sloppy! See the table below for examples of specific items of clothing.

The first two categories are acceptable for business and social occasions (office parties, functions at a friends house or a nice restaurant) where image is important.

1.  BUSINESS, also EXECUTIVE- or CORPORATE CASUAL: The level beneath the business suit and tie, which can consist of a suit or sport jacket and/or sweater, and an optional tie. This is what you’d wear to a company party (retirement, holiday, etc.). The fabrics may be less dressy, and the tie a knit or novelty print. You may have slightly relaxed the look, but you’re still there for business.

In some cases you may want to wear a suit that’s a step up from business wear like your best Armani suit, French-cuff shirt, and Hermes tie just to show you have a life outside business!!

2.  COUNTRY CLUB, or DRESSY, RESORT CASUAL, CASUAL CHIC: Apparel that you’d wear to a private country club for lunch or dinner. Dress trousers, sport shirt, dress shirt or knit polo shirt, a sweater or sport jacket and leather shoes/belt.  It’s also appropriate for an off-site seminar, a party at a friend’s home or dinner at a nice restaurant. And yes the elements in your attire may have cost MORE than a good suit!!

Number 3 may be acceptable for certain businesses and some social functions.

3.  SPORTY or RUGGED: The outdoor look! Off to the local pub to watch Monday night football with the guys, to a real game, when you’re invited to spend the weekend at one of Ralph Lauren’s homes, or third date out for pizza. Any activity where you might run into someone interesting. It’s more casual, but you still took some time to coordinate colors, and think about what elements you put together.

The following two categories are not acceptable for most businesses, or for any "important" social occasion (i.e. first date) where you’re concerned about your creditability, authority and/or image:

4. SATURDAY CASUAL OR LEISURE: What you wear on weekends, if you had to go out shopping or doing laundry, and there was even a remote chance of human    contact.

5.  ACTIVE: gear you’d wear to the gym, to play b-ball, washing your car, or gardening, but not stop off at the grocery store on the way home. It’s also what you might wear around the house if you weren’t expecting any visitors.

If you're not sure, it's always better to dress up than down.  You can say you've got someplace important to go after this event!

Casual Categories Chart (suggested examples):

Even if you dress down, you can use these guidelines to project the image you want:

                -- Andy Gilchrist