Smart casual can confuse the best of us. Fortunately, you no longer need to dread seeing those two words on a wedding invite, the following guide will help you to understand exactly what is meant by the term and give you some tips on how to interpret it in line with your personal style.
What does smart casual mean?
For many of us, smart casual is an oxymoron. The concept that something can be both smart and casual doesn’t feel natural but thankfully there are ways to make it work.
The easiest way to understand it is to determine which clothing is classified as smart and which fall under the casual category. Smart items generally include those that are typically tailored, for example, jackets, trousers, and shirts. As well as finishing touches like pocket squares and ties. You can also class smart based on material, for example, leather brogues or suede loafers. More casual clothing includes t-shirts, hoodies, and trainers. Typically, anything with a baggier fit will be classed as casual.
The term smart casual, therefore, applies to wearing a combination of these two categories simultaneously to create a look that is both sophisticated and put together, while also appearing relaxed.
How can it be applied in practice?
It is important to note that when it comes to fashion, you need to prioritise your taste and what you are going to feel comfortable in.
When following this dress code, you should first consider where you are going and who with as this will help you decide how smart you need to go. If you are heading to a work event or a formal occasion such as a graduation, then opting for the smarter end of the spectrum is an effective way to show your appreciation for the event. Therefore, you could go for chinos, a shirt, and a blazer.
However, for a less official event like a date or birthday dinner, you may want to go slightly more casual. For example, well-fitting jeans, a high-quality t-shirt, and a smart bomber jacket. If you are ever conscious that you aren’t dressed up enough, you can always make use of accessories to elevate the look. Consider adding a timeless OMEGA watch and a classic belt to give a more informal outfit some edge.
When is this dress code appropriate?
Fortunately, there are very few occasions where this dress code would not be appropriate. It is always better to be slightly over-dressed than underdressed and so following a smart casual dress code will stand you in good stead for a range of events.
The few circumstances where this is not suitable are when another dress code has been specifically requested. For example, some people chose black tie attire for their wedding in which case a tuxedo could be necessary.
