Josi has a question: "I am having the hardest time this year getting motivated for the move from shorts and tank tops to pants and whatever! It's back to school time, and I want to look cute picking up the kids, carting them around to lessons and practices.....cute but PRACTICAL. I have no problem getting way dressed up, but need ideas for outfits to wear just running around town...any ideas (I am in Texas so it is still pretty hot)."

I always find it fascinating that casual is what we have the hardest time pulling off.  When casual clothes became work clothes, it left a gap in our every day running-around-town wardrobes, because suddenly those dark wash jeans and pretty top are too dressy for the carpool line or for Saturday errands.  And while moms seem to be the most acutely aware of this dilemma (after all, moms wear more casual clothes than anyone) we ALL need a few good casual basics in our closet. 

For the transition from summer to fall, think about pieces with personality -- this year, menswear is big for women, but instead of going all out and dressing up like Diane Keaton in Annie Hall, look for a great pair of trousers with a boyish edge.   This pair, from the Gap, has a nice wide leg and that fabulous plaid!  Love the plaid.  Pair with a thin sweater or a crisp button down or a fitted tee; top with a jean jacket for cooler days.  Wear with ballet flats for weekdays and some cool athletic-inspired flats for weekends.  They're 100% cotton and machine washable, which makes them even easier to wear -- but wash inside out and hang to dry, to keep them crisp and sharp looking.  And check out the rest of the Gap's Perfect Trouser line -- available in a variety of fits, these are wearable casual pants with a dressed-up edge.  (Gap perfect casual plaid trouser, $49.50.)

A second option for breaking out of the casual-equals-boring rut is to toss on a really beautiful top.  Look for something with some structure; an empire style is flattering on most figures (but empire and baby doll are not the same thing -- look for a V neck and a defined band under the bust, but keep the line slim and clean).  I love the top here, from Boden USA, because it combines a really beautiful shape -- something more interesting than a basic t-shirt -- with some lovely detailing.  (Artisan top available at Boden USA, $74.00.)

The key to doing casual right is to give yourself permission to look nice even if you're just running errands or hauling kids.  Casual clothes should be easy to wear and easy to care for, but that doesn't mean you're limited to yoga pants and tees.  Look for fun patterns and bold colors and striking details; create outfits that have a focal point.  Think about your everyday casual wear as an actual part of your wardrobe, rather than just the clothes you wear when you're not dressed up.

Other alternatives to make your casual wear stand out: Omiru has tips for wearing houndstooth, The Lookbook finds aristocratic scarves from "cheap" to "steep," and Miss Franesca shows you how $100 can update your fall wardrobe.

Susan Wagner writes about style at Fashion Find and ParentDish, and about everything else at Friday Playdate. Have a pressing style question? Email her at fridaystyle.susan@gmail.com.