Guys have been confused by ‘smart casual’ ever since couples started putting it on engagement party invites. Which is fair enough. There’s kind of a contradiction there, right? How can something be both smart and casual, or casual and smart? Can you wear a blazer? What about a tie? Boots, loafers or Oxfords? Are sneakers okay? And what the heck does ‘business casual dress code’ mean anyway?
First thing you should know: the smart casual dress code isn’t one fixed outfit. Smart casual men come in a variety of styles, and they all fall under the same umbrella. It’s a bit fuzzy. Tuxedos are out, and so are sweat pants, but most things in the middle are fair game. It all depends on styling. In this article, we’re going to break down the difference between ‘casual’, ‘smart casual’ and ‘business casual’, to clear up any confusion. This is How To Dress Smart Casual (for dummies).
Ah, smart casual dress code. Our old nemesis. So what is smart casual exactly? Mr Porter famously said it encompasses “pretty much anything smarter than a tracksuit, but less formal than a suit.” And that’s still the best definition going around. The smart casual dress code is a spectrum, a range, which goes all the way from ‘jeans and a polo’ to ‘dress chinos, brogues and knit blazer’. Which is handy. It means it’s very hard to make a mistake here. Whatever you wear will probably be ‘smart casual’, whether you intended it that way or not.
For smart casual attire, you want to take your casual wardrobe and just elevate it slightly. Instead of sneakers, try loafers, Chelsea boots or Derby shoes (Oxfords are borderline, but can work with the right outfit). Instead of your weekend kick-about jeans, try dark denim with a sharp double cuff. Instead of a t-shirt and hoodie, go for the button-up shirt and blazer combo. The idea is to look suave and put-together, like you’ve made some conscious effort. Think about it this way: would your outfit go better with an Old Fashioned or a Pepsi Max? If you’re leaning towards Pepsi Max, you might be more ‘casual’ than ‘smart casual’.
If you’re ever invited to an event with a ‘casual’ dress code, you have some very chill friends indeed. This is pretty uncommon, especially for engagement parties and weddings, and it basically means “wear whatever you want”.
Having said that, you still need to read the room. If you’re attending a ‘casual’ wedding, thongs and board shorts are probably still pushing your luck (a ‘casual’ barbecue, on the other hand, go for your life). For most guys, ‘casual’ is just going to mean jeans, sneakers or Chukka boots, and a basic t-shirt. But don’t discount more adventurous footwear styles, like boat shoes or driving shoes. They can really elevate the basic casual look, especially if everyone else is slouching around in old trainers. The BECKETT, BALFORT 2.0 and DECO 2.0 are all good places to start.
Just to throw another spanner in the works, there’s men’s business casual. This pops up from time to time on company event invites, but don’t get confused. Business casual dress code just means ‘smart casual’ – but for work, not play. That means you can ditch the corporate suit. Focus instead on separates: chinos and a contrast suit jacket; dark denim and a knit blazer; loafers without socks; button-up shirts without the tie.
When it comes to business casual footwear, you’ve got a lot to choose from. Leather Oxfords, like the GORDON are probably a bit too fancy, but everything else goes: penny loafers, Chelsea boots, suede Chukkas, Derby shoes, ankle boots etc. Try our DEXTER, Chelseas in brown, if you don’t know where to start. The only other rule is no sneakers – they don’t quite fit the ‘business casual’ vibe. Again, think sophisticated but playful. Nothing too starchy or corporate. This is ‘smart casual’ meets the office.
Short answer: they can be. It depends on the jeans. Light wash denim with holes in the knees and a torn hem probably isn’t smart casual. But some nice dark indigo jeans with a double cuff and contrast stitching definitely qualify. To style these, try a simple button up shirt and either some Chelsea boots (like the HARLEY) or some woven TREY slip-ons (these are perfect for summer). Smart casual jeans also work great with Chukka boots. We recommend something with a rounded toe and mid ankle profile, like the BECKETT or the BRODY. Try these with some mid-wash denim, grey crew tee and a linen shirt.
We’re mostly talking about belts here, but smart casual dress code can also apply to watches, sunglasses and any other accessories. As with your clothes, you want to elevate things…but not too far. A woven camel DEN leather belt? Perfect. A patent FARON belt with a silver buckle? Probably a bit much. Try to pick smart casual accessories that match your shoes. That means brown with brown leather, and black with black.
You can wear sunglasses to smart casual events, but only if they’re outside (sunnies inside belongs back in 2005). For a watch, there’s no need to bust out the expensive yellow gold dress watch, but a sharp diver, vintage watch or field watch works great. Lastly, bags. You shouldn’t really rock up to a smart casual event with a bag, but if you have to, make it a leather satchel, like the HUGO, and stash it somewhere when the party begins. Making small talk with a bag on your shoulder is sort of bad form.
