How do you define "casual" ?

[Anonymous]

My spouse and I are from the country in a small very-rural area. We are very "casual" dressers.

We are going to be staying overnight in STL in a few weeks. Decided to try Priceline's "name your own price". With that feature, you don't see your hotel choice until your offer is accepted.

I put in $50 and they accepted my offer and booked us at the Sheraton.

My spouse is not liking this. We very rarely stay at motels/hotels. Normally only when we go to Branson or a family member is hospitalized out of town.

Their website says bar/dining is casual.

The spouse thinks their casual might mean something different than our "very rural" meaning of casual.

So, how would you all define casual?

[Anonymous]

Aha!! We travel enough that I can corner this one!

Casual as per Sheraton would be: "lowest" interpretation= nice polo short (or equivalent) for men, nice blouse for women; nice jeans or chinos for both.

"Highest" interpretation = skirt for spouse, dress pants for you; blouse for her, button-down shirt for you.

Personally, I've found that the area you're going to defines it best. If DC area, the "highest" interpretation is best (since everyone I've ever known there is a bit uptight). If you're coming here to FL, the "lowest" fits to a Tee!!

[fused]

I had this problem when I use to travel to the Mainland years ago. I think Wonderin is right, location dictates.

These are my thoughts (guys only):

Business casual: slacks (such as dockers) non-formal button down or polo shirt or sweater, no open-toed shoes or gym shoes.

Casual: jeans, polo shirt or button down shirt, gym shoes are ok

[Anonymous]

The word "Casual" gets more relaxed in definition every year. You will be fine in Jeans and a t-shirt.

[Anonymous]

It's just like the term "Business casual"

This used to mean (to me) no jeans, collared shirt

At my new place- jeans are perfectly acceptable-

I never knew I could make $ and still wear jeans!!!!!!!!!!!

I do wear Dockers 4 days a week though-

[Anonymous]

Not in some places, Mel ... a couple of years ago, we stayed at the Sheraton in 'Lanta and DD wore a nice T-shirt (nice by OUR standards, not her peers!!) and nice jeans and she was asked to change her clothes to something a little more dressy (though they said the dining room was "casual" ).

At the time, I wore my standard button-down blouse and jeans and was perfectly fine. Hubby ALWAYS wears khaki chinos and a button down Hawaiian shirt when we go out to eat (though on the weekends wears an old diving T-shirt and shorts).

But here in FL, "casual" is another animal entirely. People here go to church on Sunday in swimsuits and flip-flops. It's very common to see our equivalent of 5 star restaurants accept T-shirts and Tevas with a smile. :/

I think the relaxation of the definition of "casual" really depends on the location. What's casual to some places is downright ghetto in others and too dressy in yet others still.

Message Edited by Wonderin on 07-18-2008 01:42 AM

[Anonymous]

ok for STL here is what i'd suggest:

men: khaki pants, button down shirt or polo shirt

women: "nice" jeans/jean skirt (not your usual run out and do errands jeans) or khaki pants/khaki skirt, with a nice shirt, or blouse. if you wife wears dresses, she will probably be fine in one of those.

i would 86 any athletic shoes.

basically, you want to take your everyday clothes and kick them up a notch.

http://www.ebazaarpk.com/images/Clothings/blue.jpg

[fishbjc]

This is a $50/night room at the Sheraton, it's not the Renaissance.

For you....pressed dockers or nice cotton slacks, clean shirt, non-wrinkled.  I would 86 any t with a logo on it, but a *dressed up* t would be fine.  DH likes the cotton blends.

For her....nice cotton slacks, simple shirt, low heels. 

As long as you're clean and pressed...go for it.  If they don't want your business...they can kiss your azz as you're walking out the door.

Message Edited by fishbjc on 07-18-2008 08:03 AM

[Anonymous]

     Geez I guess I cant go anywhere.  LOL.  Vicki

[marty56]

Going commando.