How to Dress Classy but Casual

Dressing classy doesn’t mean that you have to wear formal clothing. You can incorporate classy elements into your everyday look. No matter what your personal style is, look for well-fitting, quality clothing. Mix dressy and casual styles to assemble a composed but laid-back look. The right accessories can tie together the outfit.

EditSteps

EditChoosing the Right Clothing

1. Choose clothes that fit your body well. Well-fitting clothing will naturally make you look more stylish and put-together. Make sure that the clothing isn’t too tight or loose in certain areas of your body. Knowing your body type can help you pick styles and cuts that fit your body comfortably.^[1]
   
   • If you have clothing that is too large or long in some areas, you can pay a tailor to take it in. Tailored clothing can make your outfit look like it was made for you.
   • Always try clothes on before buying them. If you order your clothing online, make sure to try the outfit on before you wear it out.
2. Buy well-made and high-quality clothing. Well-made clothing will usually fit your body and appear more elegant than cheaply made styles. When you buy the clothing, check for any loose stitches or stains.^[2]
   
   • Well-made clothing often costs more, but you can also shop at thrift stores, vintage stores, and online secondhand fashion sites to find less expensive quality clothing.
3. Select pieces made out of high-quality fabrics. The tag on the clothing will tell you what it is made out of. Choose fabrics that are meant to last, such as cotton, wool, leather, linen, and silk. Avoid synthetic fabrics like polyester or rayon.^[3]
   
4. Look for timeless clothing that won’t fall out of fashion. Classy clothing tends to include styles that last for generations. While you can still wear trendy styles, make sure you have plenty of basics in your wardrobe as well. Some great, classic styles include:^[4]
   
   • Slacks and skirts
   • Collared shirts like polos, oxford shirts, and dress shirts
   • A-line dresses
   • Blazers
   • Jeans
   • Cardigans and pullover sweaters
   • Prints like horizontal stripes, gingham, paisley, plaid, and argyle
5. Choose neutral colors that you can mix and match. Neutrals are colors that go with just about anything. They include black, white, brown, khaki, and navy blue. Neutral colors can help your casual wardrobe appear polished and timeless. They will help you create many different outfits while still remaining laid-back and casual.^[5]
   
6. Go for sweaters and cardigans instead of hoodies and sweatshirts. While hoodies and sweatshirts have their place, they are generally not as classy as a nice pullover or button-up sweater. A nice, well-fitting sweater can dress up any casual clothing.^[6]
   
   • Cardigans are a great option to wear over a-line dresses, a shirt and tie, or a pair of khaki trousers.
   • Pullover sweaters look very classy when worn over a collared shirt.
   • Other classy options for outerwear include leather jackets, crewneck or V-neck sweaters, sweater vests, pea coats, and blazers.
7. Choose dark washes of jeans over light washes. Faded or light wash jeans may appear more worn than dark wash jeans. You can get denim in dark blue, black, or other dark neutral shades.^[7]
   
8. Avoid ripped, deconstructed, or worn clothing. The trick to looking casual and classy is to make sure that your clothing appears clean, unwrinkled, and in good condition. While ripped or deconstructed styles may be trendy, they may not be the classiest option for casual wear.
   

EditCreating Classy and Casual Outfits

1. Dress up a pair of jeans with a nice top. Jeans are versatile pieces of clothing. They can be casual or dressy depending on what you pair them with. Wearing a well-fitting pair of jeans with a button-up shirt or printed blouse is perfect for almost any occasion.^[8]
   
   • Great casual shirts to wear with jeans include flannel button-ups, henley shirts, breton tops, and peasant shirts.
   • You can look classy in a t-shirt and jeans as long as the shirt is well-fitting, clean, and unwrinkled. Look for t-shirts with simple designs instead of logos or brands.
2. Put on neutral slacks with a dress shirt for a business casual look. Business casual usually requires a relaxed professional outfit. The go-to outfit is typically a pair of slacks in a neutral color, such as khaki, navy blue, or black. This is worn with a nice dress shirt. If you want, add a cardigan or blazer on top.^[9]
   
   • Examples of a nice dress shirt include collared button-up shirts, crewnecks, ruffled blouses, cashmere sweaters, and vests.
   • Women can also wear skirts or modest dresses.
   • Ties are typically optional for business casual, but they will help add an extra classy edge to your outfit.
3. Wear modest shorts and a t-shirt for a summer look. If it is hot outside, you can still rock the classy but casual look. Shorts should reach at least your mid-thigh. T-shirts or tank tops, on the other hand, should fit slightly loose without being too low-cut.^[10]
   
   • Colorful shorts are a great way to add a bit of summer flair to your outfit. Try salmon, aqua blue, red, or olive green shorts.
   • Classy shirts that go well with shorts include polos, linen shirts, and v-neck tees.
4. Layer a coat over a well-fitting sweater and shirt when it is cold. Layers keep you warm in the winter. Wear a thin undershirt or long-sleeved shirt. Pull a nice-looking sweater over it. When you go out, make sure you have a heavy coat on top.^[11]
   
   • Nice sweaters to wear casually include crew neck sweaters, v-necks, zip necks, and cowl sweaters. These go well with long-sleeved shirts, flannels, turtlenecks, collared button-ups, or roll neck shirts.
   • If you wear a dress or skirt out, layer a sweater or blazer on top. Wear tights underneath to keep warm. Wear a long coat, such as a trench coat or overcoat, on top.
   • If you wear slacks or pants, choose a shorter coat, such as a peacoat, sports coat, or duffle coat.

EditAccessorizing Your Outfit

1. Pick a nice pair of clean shoes to match the outfit. Shoes can help complete an outfit. Whether you wear sneakers, sandals, or flats, choose a pair that is clean and well-cared for. Some options for classy and casual shoes include canvas sneakers, leather loafers, leather hiking boots, ankle boots, or ballet flats.^[12]
   
   • Generally, you want the color of your shoes to be the same color or a shade darker than your outfit.
   • You can also use shoes to add a pop of color to your outfit. Bright red and yellow shoes work well when paired with neutral colors like navy or black.
   • Brown, navy, black, and white shoes go with almost any outfit.
2. Use scarves, ties, and belts to add pops of color to your outfit. Look for bold prints and colors to spice up your neutral wardrobe. Match your accessories carefully to the outfit that you are wearing to make your classy casual look complete.^[13]
   
3. Wear one piece of statement jewelry at a time. Statement jewelry can appear classy, but too much may be flashy. If you decide to wear statement jewelry, try to only wear 1 piece at any time. For example, if you wear a bold cocktail ring, don’t pair it with a blingy necklace, heavy dangling earrings, or a flashy bracelet.^[14]
   
4. Carry a nice purse or satchel with you. A quality and well-constructed purse, briefcase, or satchel can help you carry your belongings while still looking nice. Check out designer bags for well-made, timeless pieces. You can also search online for secondhand designer bags or hunt around for cheaper but still quality pieces at malls.^[15]
   

EditSources and Citations

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How to Make Vegan Cinnamon Rolls

While many sweets, including cinnamon rolls, usually include some animal products, there are plenty of recipes that are adjusted for the vegan diet. Enjoy a warm, fluffy, moist cinnamon roll drizzled with vanilla icing on top. This recipe makes a tasty breakfast or delectable dessert.

Makes: 8 servings

EditIngredients

EditFor the Dough

• 2 cups (480 milliliters) almond milk, heated at room temperature
• ½ cup (115 grams) vegan butter, melted + extra for spreading
• ¼ cup (50 grams) white sugar
• 1 packet active dry yeast
• 5½ cups (690 grams) flour, divided
• 1 teaspoon salt

EditFor the Filling

• ¾ cup (170 grams) vegan butter, softened
• ¾ cup (165 grams) brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

EditFor the Icing

• 1 cup (160 grams) powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) almond milk
• ½ teaspoon (2.4 milliliters) vanilla extract

EditSteps

EditMaking the Dough

1. Spread vegan butter over two foil pans. Rub about a tablespoon of butter on each pan, spreading it all over the surface and edges. Set aside.
   
2. Combine the melted butter, almond milk, and sugar in a large bowl. Beat well with a whisk. The mixture should be slightly warm () and at room temperature.
   
   • If the mixture is too hot, leave it to cool for a few minutes before using. The mixture must be at an appropriate warm temperature or the dough won't form properly.
3. Sprinkle the yeast over the mixture. Leave it to sit for about a minute.
   
4. Add the salt and five cups of flour to the mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon until the ingredients are fully incorporated together.
   
5. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a towel. Set it aside in a warm area to rise for about an hour.
   

EditMaking the Cinnamon Rolls

1. Add the remaining flour to the bowl. Remove the plastic wrap or towel off the bowl. Combine in the remaining ½ cup (95 grams) of flour and mix well.
   
2. Knead the dough on a floured surface. While kneading, add extra flour if the dough is still sticky. The dough should not stick to its surface and should be easy to knead.
   
3. Roll the dough out into the shape of a rectangle. Using a rolling pin, spread the dough out so that it's about thick. Adjust the corners so that it stays even.
   
4. Spread the vegan butter all over the dough with a butter knife.
   
5. Evenly sprinkle the cinnamon and brown sugar on top.
   
6. Roll the dough into the shape of a log. Carefully roll the dough so it can resemble a log and then close the seams by pinching them. Cut off any excess dough at the edges with kitchen scissors.
   
7. Slice off pieces of the dough to create a cinnamon roll. This can be tricky to do with a knife so you may prefer using dental floss for easier slicing. Each cinnamon roll should be about thick.
   
8. Place the cinnamon rolls in the foil pans and set aside. Cover the pans with plastic wrap and set it aside in a warm area to rise for about 30 minutes.
   

EditBaking and Serving

1. Preheat the oven to .
   
2. Remove the plastic wrap off from the pans.
   
3. Bake the cinnamon rolls in the oven for about 25-30 minutes. Allow them to bake until the edges and tops are golden brown.
   
4. In a separate bowl, combine the powdered sugar and almond milk. Mix well with a whisk until smooth.
   
5. Add the vanilla extract. Mix once more until it’s well combined.
   
6. Remove the cinnamon rolls from the oven. Allow them to cool for about 10 minutes until warm.
   
7. Serve. Drizzle the icing over the cinnamon rolls with a spoon. Garnish with extra cinnamon or chopped nuts if desired. Enjoy!
   
8. Finished.
   

EditVideo

EditTips

• Regular yeast can be used to make the cinnamon rolls, but it should be noted that the dough may take longer to rise.^[1]
• The almond milk in this recipe can also be substituted with coconut or soy milk.^[2]

EditWarnings

• Avoid adding the icing on the cinnamon rolls while they're hot. This will cause the icing to melt and not stick on the pastry.
• Make sure the dough is not too hot or cold when being made. If it is too hot, the activity of the yeast will be affected. If it is too cold, the dough will take a longer time to rise.^[3]

EditThings You'll Need

• Plastic wrap or towel
• 2 large bowls
• 2 foil pans
• Oven
• Whisk
• Floss
• Kitchen scissors
• Spoon
• Serving plate

EditRelated wikiHows

• Make Cinnamon Rolls
• Make Cake Batter Cinnamon Rolls
• Make Raisin and Pecan Cinnamon Rolls
• Make Cinnamon Roll Cups

EditSources and Citations

• https://tasty.co/recipe/the-best-ever-vegan-cinnamon-rolls - research source

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How to Hang Clothes to Dry

Edit Article

Two Methods:Using a ClotheslineDrying IndoorsCommunity Q&A

Hanging clothing may sound old-fashioned, but it’s a sure-fire way to dry any piece of clothing you own. An easy way to do this is by clipping clothing to a clothesline set up either indoors or outdoors. While drying indoors, utilize wall-mounted rods and drying racks to hang your clothing. Leave your items out for a few hours and you will soon have fresh clothing without the use of a machine dryer.

Steps

Method 1

Using a Clothesline

1. 1

   Shake out the clothing after removing it from the wash.

   Hold the clothing by the end and give it a quick shake. It helps unfold the clothing after washing, eliminating wrinkles. The more you can prevent the clothing from bunching up, the easier it is to dry.

   ^[1]

2. 2

   Turn dark clothing inside out to prevent fading.

   If you live in a sunny area, turn dark shirts and jeans inside out. Your clothing will still fade over time, but this slows the process. Also, if you hang dark clothing in direct sunlight, move it out of the light as soon as it finishes drying.

   ^[2]

   • White clothing is okay to leave out. The sun brightens it.

3. 3

   Pin folded sheets at the ends.

   Starting with the larger items is recommended since these take up the most space and dry slower. These large items should be folded in half first. Bring the folded end up, draping it slightly over the clothesline. Pin the corner, then move across the line to pin the middle and other corner.

   ^[3]

   • Keep the top of the sheet flat and straight against the clothesline. Do this with every article you hang to prevent wrinkles.

4. 4

   Keep towels unfolded while hanging.

   Unfold the towels, then bring them to the clothesline. Drape 1 end slightly over the clothesline. Pin both corners to hold the towel in place. Hang the towel vertically and unfolded so it dries faster.

   ^[4]

   • To save on clothespins, hang the towels next to one another and clip the ends with the same pin.

5. 5

   Hang shirts by the bottom hem.

   Bring the bottom hem up to the line. Clip 1 corner, then stretch the hem out over the clothesline and clip the other corner. The hem should be straight and flat against the line so the shirt doesn’t sag at all. Let the shirt’s heavier end dangle to encourage drying.

   ^[5]

   • Another way to hang shirts is with hangers. Slide the clothing onto the hangers, then hook the hangers onto the clothesline.

6. 6

   Pin pants by the leg seams to facilitate drying.

   Fold the pants in half, pressing the legs together. Hold the bottom hems against the clothesline and pin them in place. If you have 2 clotheslines side by side, separate the legs and pin 1 to each line. It will reduce the drying time even further.

   ^[6]

   • The waist end is heavier, so it’s better to let it hang lower. However, you can hang the pants by the waist hem if you wish.

7. 7

   Hang socks in pairs by the toes.

   Keep your socks paired together to save on space. Set the socks side by side with the toe end curled over the line. Place a single clothespin between the socks, fastening both in place. Repeat this with any other pairs of socks that need drying.

   ^[7]

8. 8

   Fasten small items at the corners.

   For items like baby pants, small towels, and underwear, hang them like you would with a towel. Stretch them out on the line so they don’t sag. Clamp the clothespins on both corners. Hopefully, you have enough extra space to stretch these items out on the line.

   ^[8]

   • If you’re short on space, try to find spots between the other articles and fit them there.

Method 2

Drying Indoors

1. 1

   Dry your clothes in an open space.

   Clothing has to be exposed to air circulation to dry effectively. Heat and sunlight also help. No matter how you dry your clothing, keep it out of closets or other enclosed area. Place it near open doors, windows, and heat vents.

   • The clothing doesn’t have to be placed in direct sunlight. Placing it out in the open helps a lot.

2. 2

   Turn on nearby fans and heating vents.

   Hopefully, your room has some natural heat flow and air circulation to speed up drying. Turn on any heat and air sources nearby. This includes fans and your home heating system. Any heat or air blowing towards the clothing helps.

   ^[9]

   • If you live in a humid climate, a dehumidifier also speeds up the drying process.
   • Be cautious when using heat. Never place the clothing right next to the heating source, as you could start a fire.

3. 3

   Drape clothing over a wall-mounted rod.

   Most likely you already have a bath or curtain rod you can utilize for drying clothing. Sling the items over the rod and position them so they aren’t bunched up against one another. If any of your clothing drips, set towels or buckets underneath it to collect the water.

   ^[10]

   • Larger items, including towels and sheets, benefit from having space on the rod. However, it can be used to dry most clothing.
   • Larger items can also be draped over doors or chair backs.

4. 4

   Use hangers to hang non-stretchable clothing from the wall-mounted rod.

   Clothing hangers are useful for hanging non-stretchable clothing such as jeans and T-shirts. Place them between any clothing you have draped over the rod. Slip the clothing on the hangers, then spread them apart so air reaches all parts of the fabric.

   ^[11]

   • Again, leave space between each article so moisture doesn’t get trapped.

5. 5

   Set up a drying rack for extra hanging space.

   You can get a relatively inexpensive drying rack at a general store. Drying racks are basically smaller versions of bath or curtain rods. Set the rack up near a breezy window or heat source, then drape clothing over the rack’s bars.

   ^[12]

   • Racks have the advantage of mobility. You can move the rack to wherever you need it. They also tend to have a flat surface on top for laying delicates.

6. 6

   Avoid hanging delicate, stretchable clothing.

   Clothing such as knit sweaters stretch out when hung up to dry. You are better off laying these items flat. One way to do this is to purchase a drying net from a nearby general store. The net hooks onto a wall-mounted rod like clothing hangers do. Then, lay the delicate item flat inside the net until it dries.

   ^[13]

   • Another way to dry these items is to lay them out on a dry towel. You can also use the top part of a drying rack, if you have one.

7. 7

   Space out the clothing as much as possible.

   Before leaving the clothing to dry, check its positioning again. Make sure each item has plenty of space around it. Spread them out as much as you can to facilitate drying. No items should be pressed together.

   ^[14]

8. 8

   Flip the clothing halfway through drying.

   Wait between 15 and 30 minutes, then flip your clothes. When clothing is wet for too long, it can get musty. Flipping prevents that gross smell by speeding up the drying process.

   • Larger items like blankets benefit from being flipped, but other clothes may need it too depending on how much heat and air flow you have in your environment.^[15]

Tips

• Pins can be purchased at most general stores and dollar stores. For higher quality clothespins, search online or visit a home improvement or home store near you.
• Hanging clothes in the morning makes them dry faster due to the sun and heat. However, your clothes will still dry when hung overnight.
• You can use a clothesline in the winter! If you live in a cold, snowy area, your clothes will still dry outdoors.
• Get creative when working indoors. You can install a clothesline between 2 pipes or doors.

Things You’ll Need

Using a Clothesline Drying Indoors

Article Info

Featured Article

Categories: Featured Articles | Drying Clothes

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How to Spot Valuable Paintings

Art collecting is an expensive hobby, but some eagle-eyed aficionados can score valuable masterpieces at bargain bin prices. Whether you’re hunting for deals at a thrift shop or evaluating a piece at an art show, knowing how to determine a painting’s authenticity and worth will help you spot great deals in a sea of knock-offs and reprints.

EditSteps

EditSearching for High-Value Pieces

1. Seek out paintings created by renowned artists. For many people, the goal of art hunting is to find a lost masterpiece from a beloved artist. Though you most likely won’t find anything by Monet or Vermeer, you may come across a hidden gem made by a lesser-known or regionally popular painter.^[1]
   
   • Some artists whose work ended up at thrift stores include Ben Nicholson, Ilya Bolotowsky, Giovanni Battista Torriglia, Alexander Calder, and even Pablo Picasso.
   • So you’ll know what paintings to keep an eye out for, learn about different artists through local galleries, art museums, and online databases like the Web Gallery of Art.
2. Search for paintings on your phone to see if anything comes up. If you stumble upon a piece you think may be valuable, try searching for it on Google or a similar search engine. If the painting shows up in your search results, you may have found a valuable item.^[2]
   
   • If you don’t know the name of a painting, search for it using descriptors. For example, you can find Thomas Gainsborough’s The Blue Boy with the terms “painting,” “kid,” and “blue.”
   • If you can take a high-quality photo of the piece, try running it through Google’s Reverse Image Search at https://reverse.photos. This will make the searching process far easier.
3. Purchase limited edition and signed prints. Though most art prints have little to no financial value, there are a couple notable exceptions. Look out for prints that were part of a limited edition run, meaning the artist only produced a few copies, and prints with a handwritten signature from the artist on the front or back.^[3]
   
   • Most limited edition prints have numbers on them indicating which copy you have and how many copies exist.
4. Avoid buying small and subtle paintings if you plan on selling them. Unless you stumble upon an original piece by a popular artist, stay away from paintings that are extremely small in size or subtle to the point of being abstract. Though these paintings may be excellent, they don’t have the same mass appeal that a large, traditional painting does, making them harder to sell.
   
   • This is especially important if you plan to sell your paintings online, since small and abstract art is hard to convey over digitized photographs.
5. Pick up paintings with high-quality frames. Even if you decide that a painting is not valuable, make sure to examine the frame before moving on. Picture frames are works of art in their own right, so a vintage or well-crafted frame may be worth a lot regardless of the painting inside. Look for frames with:^[4]
   
   • Hand-carved designs
   • Intricate or unique patterns
   • Gilded molding
   • Slight wear and similar signs of age

EditDetermining a Painting’s Authenticity

1. Look for the artist’s original signature. Often, the easiest way to tell if a painting is authentic or not is to look for the artist’s signature on the front or back side. In particular, look for a signature that was hand-written or added to the piece using paint. If a painting doesn’t have a signature, or if the signature seems flat and artificial, there’s a good chance the piece is a reproduction print or fake.^[5]
   
   • If you know the artist’s name, look them up online and see if their signature matches the version on the painting.
   • Signatures are easy to fake, so don’t use this as your only proof of authenticity.
2. Use a magnifying glass to check for printer dots. Before purchasing a painting, hold a magnifying glass up to it and look for small, perfectly-round dots arranged in a grid. If you see any, the piece is a reproduction print created using a laser printer.^[6]
   
   • Though this method will help you identify common prints, be aware that it may not work for higher-quality giclee reproductions.
   • Unlike laser prints, paintings made using a pointillist technique will have dots of varying size and shape.
3. Inspect oil paintings to see if they have textured surfaces. When determining the authenticity of an oil painting, check to see if the surface has bumps or paint waves on it. If your piece has a significant amount of texture, there’s a good chance it is authentic. If the surface is completely flat, you’re looking at a reproduction.^[7]
   
   • If a painting only has 1 or 2 spots of texture, it may be a forgery disguising itself as the real deal.
4. Examine watercolor art pieces to see if they have rough surfaces. To determine whether or not a watercolor painting is authentic, hold the piece at an angle and look at the paint strokes closely. If the paper appears rough around major strokes, you may have an original work of art. If the paper is uniformly smooth, it’s most likely a reproduction.^[8]
   
5. Look to see if canvas paintings have rough edges. A lot of the time, artists who work on canvas will make jagged or uneven brush strokes along the edges of their paintings. However, they often don’t bother retouching these spots since viewers rarely look at them. As such, if a canvas painting has perfectly even edges, there’s a good chance it’s a factory reproduction.^[9]
   
6. Check the back of the frame for signs of age. Often, the back of a frame will tell you more about a painting than the artwork itself. Look for frames that are dark in color and have clear signs of age such as peeling lacquer and patches of worn out wood. The older a frame is, the more likely the piece inside is authentic.^[10]
   
   • If the back of a frame is mostly dark but has a few bright streaks in it, there’s a good chance the painting is authentic but had to be relined at some point.
   • Many old frames have a X or H shape in the back, something far less common in contemporary frames.
7. Look at the artwork’s mounting method to see how old it is. If nails hold the painting in place, or if you see empty nail holes around the frame, there’s a good chance the artwork is an original piece from before the 1940s. If staples hold the painting in place, there’s a greater chance it is a reproduction, especially if it is an old piece and has no signs of a prior mounting method.
   

EditSources and Citations

EditQuick Summary

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