hey all!

i'm new to these forums and i was hoping you could help me out.

i received an invitation in the mail for a party, but it said casual chic attire! help! what is casual chic? how can i put together an outfit that fits the dress code but isn't too casual? or too chic?

thanks for all your help (:

That's a good question. I tried google-imaging for it - and came up with a woman in a dress that looks like a pillow case and boots that make her legs look fat, a woman in a sun hat who looks like an ad for an escort service, and a compute animated scary looking figure with a scary black bra instead of a shirt.

Mixed in there, were several results including this cute little purple dress - so maybe it mean something like this.

What is the event (cocktails or a wedding)? What time of day is it (evening or Sunday brunch)? What is the venue (urban hotel or in someone's house)?

I think my style is casual chic, and I wear jeans 98% of the time. Depending on what the event is, you may be able to wear dressy jeans, or it may be inappropriate, especially if it's a wedding.

I also did some google searches (web search, not images, though) and there wasn't much to go on.

If all else fails, call the host and ask him/her what they have in mind. If I were hosting, I'd much rather someone call if they're wondering rather than have them feel uncomfortable if they've dressed inappropriately.

I agree, call the host. That term is very ambiguous and I'll bet most people getting the invitation are scratching their heads and calling the host too! Or they will come to the party dressed in anything and everything left up to their own interpretation. It probably just means "anything goes, just don't come dressed in sweats or a cocktail dress". Or it means wear a nice sparkly top with jeans and high heels. Kind of a mix of casual and dressy elements.

Miss Manners recently wrote a newspaper column on this subject. She listed a number of names for attires such as casual chic that are being used and are completely meaningless. She also suggested calling the host or hostess. Maybe if everybody would call, the hostess would realize casual chic is confusing.

I think the hostess probably means that she doesn't want anyone arriving in old jeans and a logo t-shirt. Its just a way of saying leave the work clothes at home.

I would definitely call as well.

To me, it would seem to mean "don't go out of your way to pick up something new, but don't wear your jeans either!" Something "friday evening with a friend" maybe?

I found these interesting:

Casual Chic defined

More on Casual Chic with an example

how about a great pair of jeans w/ heels and a dressy sweater of some sort? w/ a wrap of course and some fab jewelery....thats what i would wear.

Thanks everyone! I think just to play it safe I will call.