How To Dress Smart Casual: What You Need To Know (2024)

FAQs

How To Dress Smart Casual: What You Need To Know? ›

For men, that means you don a suit and a collared shirt but no tie (which immediately states “casual”) and opt for a good classic loafer. For women, a spiffy sweater over a tailored skirt (knee-length or longer) or slacks with a low heel pump or a dressy flat, all topped with an elegant silk scarf.

For men, that means you don a suit and a collared shirt but no tie (which immediately states “casual”) and opt for a good classic loafer. For women, a spiffy sweater over a tailored skirt (knee-length or longer) or slacks with a low heel pump or a dressy flat, all topped with an elegant silk scarf.

Smart casual is professional but a little relaxed - a polished take on more casual pieces of clothing as well as casual or fun items paired back with smarter pieces. Items are typically less structured and the formality downgraded from traditional corporate wear.

First, look out for staples that you likely already own in your work wardrobe: blazers, dress pants, button-up shirts, skirts. Then think about ways to dress them down: pairing a dressier blazer with jeans or a casual tee with a streamlined skirt. It's all about that juxtaposition.

Yes, you can wear sneakers as part of a smart-casual dress code for women, men and gender-neutral styles. You can pair sneakers with jeans, khakis and chinos. You may even wear sneakers with some skirts for a more athletic smart-casual look for women.

You can wear a plain, toned-down t-shirt under a jacket for smart casual look, any t-shirt that has a print of some sort is more of a casual look, not smart casual.

Silk trousers also make sense for a smart casual look, according to 71% of people. Two thirds (65%) say that regular jeans can be worn for a smart casual outfit. Skinny jeans are much more accepted as smart casual attire for women than they are for men, with 55% saying they can be worn.

Not a smart look with a jacket and tie then, but also not an overly sporty outfit with trainers, t-shirt and jeans. Smart Casual means 'simple, yet elegant'. A dress code consisting of sober and refined garments that are less formal than a purely elegant look.

Dark-wash denim jeans are acceptable, but they should be tailored and distress-free. Flowy skirts and pencil skirts are appropriate, but avoid skirts that feature formal details like pinstripes, which can skew too business casual. Shoes: Oxfords, ballet flats, and loafers work well for a smart casual look.

Leggings can be business casual when paired with work-appropriate pieces that look more suitable in an office than on the gym floor. Leggings can be dressed up for work, traveling, dinner dates, and other less casual settings.

What shoes are smart casual dress code? ›

Understanding Dress Codes

If you work in a smart casual environment (startups, technology companies, marketing agencies), it might be perfectly acceptable to wear sneakers, Chelsea boots or slides to work. Just think about how your shoes interact with the rest of your outfit to create a relaxed yet professional vibe.

Casual Chic is a dress code that is a little more elevated than the Smart Casual dress code. The premise of Casual Chic is that the clothing is comfortable, but with an elegant touch. Think of a shirt, paired with tailored pants.

Opt for elegant midi dresses, the timeless charm of wrap dresses, or sleek pencil dresses. Smart belted shirt dresses are also a fabulous choice. Keep the length modest, ideally knee-length or longer, and steer clear of overly formal styles. Both heels and flats can complete a smart casual ensemble.

Do wear smart shoes. You don't have to wear heels but stick to sandals, pumps or smart boots to elevate your look. If you want to wear jeans, opt for dark washes and clean cuts. If in doubt, keep it classic!

Smart Casual Shorts

Firstly, to stay cool and occasion-appropriate in hotter months, make sure the shorts rest above the knee and are tailored. This shows that effort was put in and separates them from informal recreation-style shorts. A linen or cotton-linen blend would be appropriate and comfortable.

Converse smart casual

Elevate your smart casual style with Converse sneakers. Discover trendy outfit ideas that combine comfort and fashion, perfect for any occasion.

Smart Casual Shirts and T-Shirts

Stay away from over-starched white button-downs: these are too formal. A linen or cotton button-down would go perfectly with some chinos or slim-fit trousers in summer. In winter, opt for a long-sleeve button-down layered with a merino wool jumper, herringbone jacket, and scarf.

Casual is the most relaxed, focusing on comfort and simple style. Smart casual is the middle ground, offering a blend of casual ease and a touch of formality. Business casual is more polished, suitable for professional environments while still being less formal than traditional business wear.

Smart casual is generally a middle ground between being too casual and too formal - that is neat, conventional, but relatively informal in style. One of the big difference between smart casual and casual is generally the removal of jeans from the protocol, instead replacing them with nicer chinos or slacks.