A Comprehensive Guide About Women’s Casual Dresses

A high quality, comfy, casual dress can make any wardrobe complete. Whether wearing it around the house for a quiet day or slipping into it for a busy day in town, a casual dress is simple and easy. And just because it’s casual doesn’t make it frumpy; exactly the opposite is true. High quality casual dresses keep the wearer comfortable and stylish no matter their activity.

Sizes

Dresses of every kind come in multiple sizes, and not every size chart is the same. Casual dresses are generally quite loose fitting, which creates a somewhat one-size-fits-all style around the bodice and waist of the dresses. General sizes of small, medium, and large each cover six categories on a regular United States sizing chart. In addition, maxi, midi, and mini are descriptions of the length of a dress:

● Maxi dresses are typically the maximum length for a dress, running to the floor or ankle on a woman of average height.

● Midi dresses are a fair amount shorter, typically reaching to the knee or mid-calf.

● Mini dresses are quite short, ending at any point above the knee.

Style of Casual Dresses

Casual dresses have a distinct style that sets them apart from formal or even semi-formal dresses. Rather than being fitted or shaped to flatter and embellish a figure, casual dresses tend to be free flowing. This keeps them from squeezing the waist and bust, allowing for free movement.

A casual dress is also typically free of delicate and intricate designs, beadwork, or lace. These embellishments can weigh a dress down and are often scratchy and rough on the skin. They can also require extra care to ensure that they are not pulled off or damaged in regular use. As a result, designs on casual dresses are typically integrated into the fabric, featuring a printed pattern, such as leaves or leopard print.

Most casual dresses are designed to be versatile, allowing the wearer to dress them up or dress them down with their accessories. Formal accessories, such as a detailed belt, heeled shoes, or intricate jewelry can dress it up to meet the requirements of a business meeting or night out. Pairing the same dress with tennis shoes or sandals allows it to fit perfectly in an informal setting. Casual dresses are designed to meet the needs of the user from day to day.

Materials Available

Casual dresses are often made from light, thin materials, such as cotton, linen, hemp, or bamboo. These fabrics are often biodegradable and can be harvested and manufactured sustainably. The light fabric they create is exceptionally breathable, keeping the wearer cool on warm summer days. If the weather becomes cooler, the light fabric is easy to layer, the lower layers flowing easily with the top layers.

The materials all create wonderfully soft fabric, avoiding the discomfort caused by scratchier or rougher materials. Cotton and hemp also have waterproof qualities, making them easy to keep clean during regular use. Whatever material is used to create a casual dress, it will be soft and comfortable to wear.

Upkeep

An important factor of casual dresses is that they are easy to clean and look after. Luckily, the light, breathable fabrics reduce the amount of residual body odor on the cloth. This allows for multiple wears between washes because the dresses stay fresher longer. The lightness of the fabrics also helps prevent the formation of deep wrinkles. Light creases may be formed by sitting for long periods of time, but most will shake out if a dress is hung. If any wrinkles persist, a few passes of an iron will even them out quickly.

Washing and drying techniques vary depending on the material a dress is made of. Casual dresses made of pure cotton, linen, or bamboo have similar, quite simple washing requirements. It’s recommended to wash these fabrics with cold or lukewarm water and a gentle detergent. This will help reduce shrinkage and will keep the colors from leaking out of the fabric. If the fabric has been pre-washed, it’s safe to put them through a regular tumble dry, without fear of shrinkage. However, to maintain the longest life, air drying is the best option.

Hemp fabric, while able to undergo a similar washing process, does require a few extra steps. If left on the fabric, the soap can oxidize the cellulose in the fabric, leaving large, brown spots. A thorough rinse will eliminate this problem. While air drying is the best for hemp fabric, it can also be put through a machine dryer. When doing this, however, it is necessary to put the fabric in for only a short amount of time; over-drying can break the hemp fibers.

In Short, You Need a Casual Dress in Your Closet

Having a casual dress as a go-to on busy days can be a lifesaver. The simple style allows the wearer to accessorize for a wide variety of activities, from business meetings to strolling the beach. On top of this, casual dresses are typically made from sustainable resources that require very little work to take care of. Buying a casual dress can revolutionize a wardrobe, making a long day comfortable in the soft, simple design.