For a term that’s actually been in place since the 1920s, “smart casual” still elicits a lot of confusion among people. Many know it to be the middle ground between business casual and everyday casual. But even then, the clothes that can fall under the smart casual umbrella seem to constitute a really broad spectrum. Exactly which types of shirts, pants, shoes, and accessories can be considered smart casual instead of business casual? How exactly do you make a smart casual ensemble different from your everyday casual ensemble without looking overdressed and out of place?
To make the task of dressing up a little easier, maybe it’s good to illustrate what smart casual is best for. For one, smart casual isn’t the type of look for a Wall Street boardroom meeting or a courtroom defense. But neither is it the type of look that makes it obvious that you just came from the gym or a jog outside. This is perhaps the best kind of look for a workday in which you don’t anticipate meeting with higher execs. It’s also good for family dinners that have guests of honor, like relatives who are only in town once a year. It works just as well for a night out at the bar where the décor, ambience, and crowd are on the chic side.
If there are widely accepted rules for dressing smart casual, they’re something like this:
- Your clothes should always look neat and tidy.
- Your clothes should be made of quality fabric.
- Your clothes should fit you just right.
- Your clothes should be the right color, cut, pattern, and style for the occasion.
That said, if it’s still hard for you to choose clothes when the dress code is smart casual, here are five tips that’ll help you.
Well-fitting apparel is your best friend
For smart casual, the fit is everything. A snug, tailored fit can make your outfit look effortlessly sophisticated, all without any big effort on your part. When adopting a smart casual look, go for tops and bottoms that have a tailored look and feel. A fitted blazer and pants that fall just right will make you look great. For the ladies, you should buy the right size of leggings if you want to incorporate leggings into your look. Avoid shirts that hang too loosely from your torso (that includes polo shirts), and look for pieces that flatter your natural figure.
Elevate your basics
You may not want to stray too far from your everyday casual comfort zone, and that’s honestly all right. But what you can do is look for more elevated counterparts to the staples in your wardrobe. For example, if you’re a fan of basic white T-shirt looks, switch your tee out for a short-sleeved polo in a white or cream color. Trade your ordinary blue jeans for darker jeans where the denim fabric is less pronounced. Instead of sneakers, go for a cool pair of brogues. You’ll be surprised at how different your usual outfits will look if you traded your staples for clothes that are just a bit dressier.
Wear an outfit that’s easy to dress up and down
There may be some instances in which you’ll have to transition from formal or business casual to smart casual. To switch between looks, you can simply wear layers that are easy to put on or take off. If you’ve got a meeting with top brass in the morning, you can wear a blazer and a statement tie. Then, you can take these off and put on a vest and a casual tie (or no tie for that matter) for the smart casual outfit you’ll wear to post-office hours drinks.
Base your outfit choices on the occasion
Though there are some rules that apply to most smart casual outfits, the appropriateness of the ensemble really depends on the event. Simply put, you should think carefully about the occasion you’re dressing for. The occasion can dictate color, for example; you shouldn’t wear shades that are too loud or glitzy for a professional event. But the occasion can also dictate any special touches for the outfit. Why not wear sporty-looking sneakers for a slightly dressed-up reunion with your high school or college sports team? What’s truly appropriate to wear really depends on the occasion, so this is something you can afford to be thoughtful about.
Look to other dressers for inspiration
Lastly, if you need further inspiration for dressing smart casual, look at how others dress. See what your favorite celebrities wear on occasions like romantic nights out or check out bloggers you like. If you’re due to visit a restaurant or club soon, look it up and see if they have a dress code. You can also check out photos or videos from their social media pages to see what other guests have worn there. Take note of smart casual outfits that seem to fit the overall vibe of the place.
Once you’ve cracked the code about how to dress smart casual, it can actually be a lot of fun. Dressing in this mode will allow your personality to shine through in a different way from your office ensemble or your everyday casual get-up. Of course, you can follow the rules. But never forget to stay true to yourself and to dress in a way that makes you comfortable and confident!
Fraquoh and Franchomme
Further reading:
7 Things People Immediately Think about You When You Dress Smartly
Dress for The Occasion: The Dress Code Guide
10 (Dressy) Items Every Man Should Have in His Closet
P.S. We want to hear from you! How often do you dress smart casual? Do you have a typical smart casual look? What is it? Share your feedback, questions or thoughts in the comments below! For more articles on style, fashion tips and cultural insights, you can subscribe to Attire Club via e-mail or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!