What Does Connecticut Casual Really Mean For Your Wardrobe

Have you ever heard of 'Connecticut Casual'? I was watching an old episode of The Office, and Steve Carell describes the dress code for a garden party as 'Connecticut Casual'. Is that real? I did the research.

According to urbandictionary.com Connecticut Casual is "The type of attire one would wear to a garden party: Buttoned down shirts, Polo shirts, sweater vests, bow ties, khakis, etc.' The Urban Dictionary credit is given to the episode of The Office. Ok, that covers men, but is there a female Connecticut Casual? Yes.

What is 'Connecticut Casual' for Women?

According to stantonhouseinn.com, female Connecticut Casual is: loose, floral-print dresses, blouse/skirt combo, loafers, flats, or sandals, simple jewelry, wide-brim hat, and bright colors/floral patterns. For men, they add: sweater vests, bow ties, Panama hat, and long sleeved shirts rolled up for comfort. No jeans, unless paired with a blazer.

According to wikipedia the origin of the term Connecticut Casual is attributed to West Hartford's Cynthia Wolfson from a September 1984 interview with Gilda Radner that appeared in TOLEDO Magazine. In the article Wolfson described Radner as "Dressed in Connecticut Casual: A long, pale cotton skirt, cream-colored knit top, little makeup, loose, just-run-a-comb-through-it hair." That pretty much describes anyone we've seen in Stamford, right?

I suppose Connecticut Casual could be interpreted as 'Preppy', we also are the part of the world that inspired that phrase.

I dream of Christian Siriano outfitting the beautiful new Delamar in Westport in Connecticut Casual models, a nautical theme, with golf carts waiting to whisk you away to the secret garden party. Now you know what Connecticut Casual means.