The Ultimate Guide to Men’s Smart Casual

What Is Smart Casual?

What does smart casual mean? It’s the age-old question, and it’s difficult to define and the smart casual dress code is easy to get wrong. The trick to perfecting this complicated dress code is by striking a perfect balance between smart and casual, so you have to put some thought into each item you’re wearing. There is more to it than just sporting a three-piece suit and throwing on a pair of trainers.

Smart casual dress is also dependent on your personal style and taste; for instance, Italians would achieve the look with neck scarves and accessories. If neck scarves aren’t for you then we’ll take you through some of the easier failsafe items if you’re looking to nail smart casual.

Smart Casual Essentials

Can trainers be smart casual? Are jeans smart casual? Can you wear both together? These are the kinds of questions that need answering, with the answer to them mostly being yes – if you get it right. Our biggest tip when pairing men’s designer trainers with your dressier items is that they have to look box fresh, and if you need help cleaning them up beforehand you can always turn to The Restory.

SMART CASUAL SHIRTS

Beginning with the top-half: plain T-shirts and white shirts are your best friends. Nothing will ever be offensive about a clean, fitted white tee. Emphasis on the clean. Strike a good balance between loose and boxy fits, and avoid muscle shirts. Lose the tie and loosen the top button – you want to appear as if you just rolled out of bed and you don’t even care (except you really do). If the temperature is a bit colder then try a light jumper over a shirt, or ditch both and replace with a roll-neck. Not all men think they can pull off a roll-neck but you shouldn’t rule something out until you’ve tried it. For outerwear, you can’t go wrong with a blazer to hit the smarter end of the smart casual scale. Fit is really important, and you can easily ruin a smart look with an ill-fitting jacket. Head down to Style Concierge and get properly fitted for all of your suit jackets and blazers.

On the bottom half - tailored trousers or chinos are an easy option that will look laidback yet smart. Again, tailoring and fit is key – too tight and you risk the dreaded ‘mankle’. You can wear jeans if you balance them well with a smart designer jacket and a grain-leather brogue or a clean white trainer. If you want to add some colour then inject it into your accessories; try a patterned pocket square or a bright sock. Avoid sandals, as visible toes in general are a no-go for this style.

SMART CASUAL TROUSERS

If you’re still struggling, an easy tip is to steer clear of shiny fabrics and stick to classic and muted colours. Pick items with small design details and minimal branding to instantly elevate your look. Likewise, don’t skimp on your accessories – a statement wristwatch goes a long way towards polishing off an outfit.

Men’s Smart Casual Outfits for an Event

So now we’ve covered your essentials, let’s discuss the different items you can incorporate into an outfit for a specific event. The differences may seem slight but what is acceptable smart casual wear for work isn’t necessarily the same for a wedding.

For work, this can vary depending on whether you’re a city boy or an agency creative who has to run client meetings, and anything in-between. A city boy wouldn’t look out of place on casual Fridays turning up in an Oxford shirt or silk jersey polo and chinos, teamed with a pair of suede loafers or brogues. If your work dress code is a little more relaxed, then try a loose deconstructed jacket with subtle brand details, dark tailored trousers and trainers.

For a wedding, (which is one of the trickier dress codes to perfect) you should lean towards smart rather than casual, but if it’s smart casual then you can drop the waistcoat and shiny shoes. If it’s a summer wedding then a lightweight linen suit wouldn’t go amiss, paired with a plain or checked shirt and slim loafers. In winter, trade your linens in for wool with a wool blazer or tweed trouser; navy and maroon are classic winter colours to incorporate into your outfits when it’s cold. Always put on a well-ironed shirt and finish the look with a classic leather shoe, such as an Oxford brogue or a monk strap.

How to Dress Down a Suit

Two-piece suits are easier to dress down than you think. Either ditch the tie, or switch it for a knitted one to give the look a more casual feel. Alternatively, wear a Grandad-collar shirt and in cooler weather you could layer a crew neck jumper over the top. Feel free to wear trainers with a suit as long as they’re low-top and they look fresh.

Shoes to Wear with Jeans

Low-top trainers, leather brogues, suede Chelsea boots, loafers or monk straps. If you’re nervous about getting it wrong, just ensure your shoes are clean and well looked after and seek help from our ultimate men's shoe guide for all your footwear questions.

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THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO MEN’S SMART CASUAL