A Guide To Smart Casual Wear For Men
Smart casual is something that no one quite knows how to dress for. It creates more questions than it provides solutions and, even for the most stylish of men, knowing what to wear can be thought-provoking. But, the smart casual dress code doesn’t need to create feelings of fear when mentioned on an invite or in the office.
When done right, smart casual wear can be sharp and sophisticated, as well as comfortable and relaxed, and is the perfect style combination to suit a multitude of different occasions and settings. However, if smart casual isn’t done right, your outfit can look plain and not well put together. Smart casual wear is very easy to get wrong, so with that in mind, we’ve put together a guide for smart casual wear for men with some top tips and hints on getting it right.
What Is Smart Casual?
Smart casual is the combination of two completely different styles which somehow work really well when paired together. But, the confusion often comes to what side you should sway more to – should you place more focus on the casual side, or dress a little smarter to be safe? There’s no right answer, but it’s important to remember that when hoodies and suit pants fall into the same category, there can be many different interpretations as to what the style is.
But, smart casual doesn’t need to be tricky or confusing. Essentially, a smart casual dress code means you can interpret how you would like and combine the best of both worlds – a smart piece of clothing paired with a more casual piece. Often, this dress code is applied to events such as wedding receptions, work events, or upmarket bars and restaurants, so is relatively laid back in terms of smartness.
Smart Casual Essentials & Styling Tips
Swap Out The Blazer
Smart casual doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to keep your jacket choices smart. Instead, mix it up with a pair of tailored chinos or trousers with a lightweight bomber or jacket instead. Wear a classic oxford shirt for a failsafe look that is suited to all occasions.
Elasticated Trousers Are In
If you value comfort as much as you do style, then you’ll be glad to hear that fixed waistbands are a thing of the past. Smart, elasticated trousers are hitting stores, from high street chains to high-end brands, and are the trouser of choice for those looking to up their smart-casual wardrobe.
Change Your Shirt Style
Smart wear typically involves wearing a shirt and, as a result, you might have an extensive shirt collection already in your wardrobe, likely favoring a certain style or color. But, if you’re looking to change up your smart-casual style, why not look at changing up your shirt style to something a little different? A denim or chambray shirt is a great way to mix up your look, especially in-between seasons if you want to refresh your wardrobe.
Separate, But Together
If you want to keep it tailored for your smart-casual look, then avoid wearing a matching suit and opt for separates instead. Choosing separates is undeniably a lot less formal, but much more stylish and they offer a lot more ways in which you can get creative. For example, a cream blazer paired with an off-white shirt and tailored navy blue trousers is a classic look that will instantly make you the best dressed in the room.
Elevate Your Casualwear
It is possible to dress with smart casual in mind, without having to change your style. All you need to do is use casual pieces you already have and then look for them in either more luxurious fabrics or tailored cuts. Think of bomber jackets in a suede material, full tracksuits in cotton or knit, and cashmere knits. These are typically pieces worn in casual settings, but when using more premium materials, they create a smarter look.
Conclusion
Smart casual doesn’t need to be a style that is feared. All you need to do is learn a little more about the style and find how you can adapt it to suit your current wardrobe and style, without making too many changes. Just pairing different pieces and styles of clothing is enough for you to get smart casual wear right and with these tips, you should have a better idea of what the style entails.
