Dear Jacquelyn,

My husband and I are invited to a social gathering and the host suggests “comfy casual” attire. The evening is going to be a relaxing night that includes pizza and some game-playing. My husband insists on wearing khakis and a button-down. I said comfy casual is sweatpants or maybe jeans, but definitely not khakis and a button-down. This is causing a slightly heated debate. He is not comfortable heading out to meet friends in sweats. What is the difference between casual and comfy casual attire?

Dear Reader,

In social circles, the difference between casual and comfy casual is entirely up for individual interpretation.

Dress-code terminology is merely a tool used to provide us with guidelines so we can dress appropriately for particular situations.

When the term “comfy casual” is used, it is a safe bet that you can wear pretty much anything because it is a term that has no formal meaning.

Comfy casual is not a style. It is a wardrobe choice. You have the liberty to decide how casual you want to be.

Comfy is how you dress after work or on the weekend when you are watching television. To be more specific, comfy casual is what you wear at home on your own sofa.

Casual attire, similar to comfy attire, is relaxed and informal.

However, casual attire is typically what you wear in public versus the sofa in the privacy of your own home. Casual for men could be jeans combined with a polo or T-shirt.

Your husband is not necessarily wrong wanting to wear khakis and a button-down shirt. If that is his comfort zone, then that’s his take on comfy casual.

As long as the interpretation of comfy casual is not dumpy and sloppy, it’s fine to wear whatever is most comfortable.

Respectfully Yours,

Jacquelyn

Have a question? Email: jacquelyn@ptd.net. Jacquelyn Youst is owner of the Pennsylvania Academy of Protocol. She is on the board of directors of the National Civility Foundation.

All Rights Reserved &Copy; 2019 Jacquelyn Youst