If you are reading this blog, chances are you are unsure about the smart casual dress code and looking for inspiration about this popular style of dressing. You’ll be pleased to know that you are not the first person to be confused by this ambiguous fashion choice and you won’t be the last.
When it comes to smart casual dress code, there are plenty of questions that pop into our minds:
- When should I wear smart casual?
- Are jeans a suitable piece of clothing for smart-casual dressing?
- Is smart casual clothing a good choice for men?
- Can a T-shirt be used as a smart casual dress code?
Well, we are here to help answer all these questions and help you get the best smart casual look that suits your personality!
What is Smart Casual Attire?
If you want the literal meaning of smart casual dressing let’s look at the Oxford Dictionary. The term smart casual means, “neat, conventional, yet the relatively informal style of dressing”.
However, the Urban Dictionary offers a more apt description of smart casual stating, “Smart casual dress code is a style of attire applied to a variety of social occasions, parties, and gatherings, often leading to confusion due to its ambiguous nature, yet resulting in impressive and notable outcomes.”.
The confusion is caused by the words smart and casual being used to describe the dress code. While casual means putting on anything that’s comfortable and relatively presentable, adding the term smart takes it toward a more formal way of dressing.
To put it simply, the smart casual dress code lands somewhere between casual wear, and business casual and should be clean, semi-professional, put-together, without being over the top and too stiff and formal.
Let’s further break down smart casual dressing according to different pieces of clothing:
1. Smart Casual Blazers
Outerwear is the most important part of any outfit. Whatever you put on at the end should tie your whole look together and should define your dress code for the day. When going for the smart casual look, blazers are a popular choice for outerwear.
Not as formal as dinner jackets or as informal as a jeans jacket, blazers can be paired with different articles of clothing and provide a seamless polished look without looking too stiff.
A wool blazer in neutral tones such as brown, black, blue, and khaki goes well with the rest of your smart-casual get-up and makes you look sharp without being too casual.
2. Smart Casual Shirts
A lot of men make the mistake of thinking they can get away with wearing their favorite t-shirt when they hear the smart casual dress code.
On the contrary, smart casual does not mean you can wear some ratty old tee with the print of your favorite band or some other hideous colorful print.
If you want to wear a T-shirt under your blazer, make sure it is in a monochromatic shade like grey or white, is clean, and has a distinguished pattern that isn’t too loud or bright, also avoid printed or T-shirts with logos on them.
Fashion experts recommend a long-sleeved shirt or a collared button-down shirt as the best option for a smart casual look.
You should also choose a tailored fit or a slim fit shirt to go under your blazer to give a more streamlined appearance instead of a baggy shirt that might give a rumpled overall look.
You can even rock a nice sweater made from wool or luxury cashmere, depending on the occasion, for a smart-casual winter look!
3. Smart Casual Bottoms
Great-fitting jeans are a great choice for the smart casual look, but you should make sure they are not too casual and look a little dressy.
However, the beauty of smart casual dressing is that there is a lot of wiggle room and plenty of options to choose from when it comes to bottoms.
You can choose some classic chinos or fitted trousers that match the rest of the outfit. Just make sure the colors are versatile like khaki, beige, navy, or even black so that they complement your smart and casual look.
Coordinate the colors and patterns of the bottoms with your tops to enhance the overall smart casual look.
Also, black fitted denim will also work as the best smart casual bottom.
4. Smart Casual Shoes
The benefit of a smart casual dress code is that it gives you greater freedom when it comes to choosing shoes for your outfit.
If you are going for a clean and minimalist look, you can’t go wrong with a great pair of sneakers or classic Converse or high tops.
However, if you want a more mature and polished look, then we suggest choosing loafers, boots, or oxfords to round out your smart-casual attire.
The shoes you pick totally depend on the occasion you are trying to dress for. For formal events, you would want to opt for slightly polished oxfords or loafers. But on a casual gathering, go for a pair of simple yet stylish sneakers.
5. Smart Casual Accessories
To complete any smart-casual outfit, you need to add some finishing touches with chic accessories.
Things like a smart belt, sleek sunglasses, a quality watch, and a scarf for winter outfits enhance the smart casual dress code and elevate your look.
However, make sure you don’t choose anything too flashy and lean toward sophisticated yet relaxed accessories.
Let’s see some of the most basic accessories you’ll be needing for polished smart casual attire.
i) Smart Casual Men’s Sunglasses
It almost feels like sunglasses doesn’t matter but this small piece of accessory matter a lot.
With the right choice of sunglasses, you will look like a Hollywood lead character, but it is worth noting that sunglasses that don’t suit the shape of your face will ruin your look.
For a formal polished it is good to opt for round-rimmed sunglasses whereas in the case of a laid-back look, any shades would do just fine.
Just make sure to check the sunglasses according to your face shape before making a purchase as a misfit pair of sunglasses can affect your look negatively.
ii) Smart Casual Men’s Headwear
There are many types of headwear for men that includes; fedoras, caps, hats, hoods, beanies, and many others.
I would suggest you go with the cap because it can go well with almost all of the outfits but for other types of headwear pulling it off can be tricky if you know what you are doing then go for them.
For example, Fedoras work for both, a laid-back and business casual look, but caps, and beanies tend to be more appropriate for a smart-casual look that leans towards a relaxed attire.
iii) Smart Casual Men’s Watch
A stylish watch adds a touch of elegance and refinement to your smart casual attire. Select a watch that suits your personal style and the occasion.
If you’re going for a business casual look then a leather strap watch would refine your look. But for a relaxed and casual look, your options are limitless although smart watches with customizable straps have been popular.
I would recommend you consider a classic leather strap watch or a sleek metal bracelet watch with a minimalist design.
Smart Casual Dress Code Do’s and Don’ts
With every dress code, there are some dos and don’ts to prevent you from making a fashion faux pas. Here are some things you should and shouldn’t do when it comes to smart casual dress code for men:
Do’s:
- Make sure all your clothes are clean and wrinkle-free.
- Go for the layered look based on the type of weather.
- Choose the right and good-quality fabrics.
- Understand different types of shirt styles, lengths, and fabric cuts and how they can change your entire look.
- Do make sure everything matches and choose neutral colors and stylish and sophisticated patterns.
Don’ts:
- Try to avoid any piece of clothing with eye-catching brand names or logos.
- Don’t wear pants or shorts with too many pockets.
- Avoid loose-fitting or outwardly athletic shorts such as swim trunks, board shorts, or cargo shorts.
- Skip too baggy or too restricting clothes. Moderation is your friend with smart-casual dressing.
- Avoid choosing any piece of clothing in bright and loud colors, patterns, or graphics.
- Don’t swap your blazer for a suit jacket.
- Don’t wear trainers, flip-flops, or athletic sneakers.
Conclusion
The great thing about the smart casual dress code for men is that it gives you more options for self-expression but within the boundaries of sophistication and cohesive pairings. So, go out there and flaunt your personality with smart-casual dressing!
Views: 0
