Dress Code for Smart Casual

From LoveToKnow Men's Fashion

In an increasingly jeans and T-shirts world, it’s hard to know what’s appropriate when, or what’s meant by terms like dress code for smart casual when it’s applied at either a business, restaurant or event. Fortunately, it’s actually pretty easy to decipher and then dress accordingly if you armed with the right advice.

Check out these ideas from the runways!

Dress Code for Smart Casual: Defined

When the word “smart” is used in the context of one’s outfit, it refers to being neat and trim, with a bit of dash. A member of the smart crowd is elegant, sophisticated and fashionable. It’s a term more commonly used in Britain – in America, it’s a bit archaic – but it’s still used to refer to certain aspects of fashion and even regaining its popularity as men and women become more interested in looking sharp without being formal.

In essence, smart casual means that you dress professionally, but you are relaxed. It is a middle ground between strict business or formal wear and street clothes. Smart casual is often employed by law or finance businesses in lieu of an actual casual Friday. Many tech companies that want to look professional but don’t want to alienate their young employees also adhere to this style. Fortunately, many guys are learning that dressing a little better tends to impress the ladies, so they’re not too sorry to start wearing better shirts and jackets.

Putting Together a Smart Casual Look

So, how do you make the dress code for smart casual work for you? You have a number of choices. First, consider your personal style and the clothing you most enjoy wearing. Of course, you also need to take into account the event or the business.

When you’re dressing on the slightly more formal side of smart casual, you may want to opt for a collared shirt, although you can forego a necktie. Cotton trousers like khakis are acceptable, but some may even prefer to wear dress trousers. Shoes should be loafers or dress sandals, and unless it’s a blazing summer day and the event is outdoors, you should wear nice socks. Jackets are expected, but they can be sport coats, rather than suit jackets.

Want to go on the more casual side? If you’re a die-hard jeans and T-shirt guy, you’ll be pleased to know you can wear jeans and T-shirts to some events – if the dress code for smart casual is loose enough. Feel free to ask! Nevertheless, the jeans must be black, clean and completely without fading or rips. Likewise, the T-shirt should be black and the outfit tied together with a good belt and jacket, and maybe even a hat, since you are going on the slightly funkier side.

Know Your Event

A lot of putting together a smart casual outfit is about knowing where you’re going and who will be there. If you’re going to a summer wedding of a close friend, a linen suit over a T-shirt, finished with a straw hat and dress sandals, is probably perfect. If you’ve been invited to a networking cocktail party, you can’t go wrong by going for a look that’s more smart than casual, unless you want to present yourself as someone very hip and artistic. You should still look good, though. If you want to wear a T-shirt, wear an open designer shirt over it, topped with a designer jacket. It can be funky, but it must be smart.

Also, if you’re going with a date, consider what they are going to wear. If your date is wearing a cocktail dress, you should definitely opt for a collared shirt and dress trousers. If she’s wearing a trouser suit, you should go with khakis and a sweater with a sport coat.

Get It Right Every Time

An easy rule to follow when selecting what to wear when the dress code is smart casual is to find a pulled-together, color-coordinated outfit where the fabrics, shoes and accessories all create a complete and harmonious look.

Retrieved from "http://mens-fashion.lovetoknow.com/Dress_Code_for_Smart_Casual"