How to Define Smart Casual Dressing

In 2020 a question I was asked time and time again by styling clients was, ‘what do I wear when a suit feels too formal, but a hoody feels too casual?’

The answer being smart casual. An ambiguous style that sits between formal and casual. It's what you wear when you can't wear jeans and a hoody, but you're not in suit territory, either. Unlike its corporate wear counterpart there are no handy dress codes to follow, as it can be different for each individual, the industry you are in or the social occasion you are attending.

As socialising is off the cards for the foreseeable, I am going to concentrate on smart casual for blended working - working from home, with a couple of days in the office. A relatively easy formula to get you to started is to start with thinking about a casual wear outfit you might wear, then look at adding or changing one or two items to make your outfit smarter.

If you are in doubt about what to replace those items with keep on reading for some easy to follow style inspiration.

Texture

One factor that that is key to upgrading a smart casual wardrobe is to introduce an element of texture. Formal items in menswear such as suits, shirts and even shoes are usually smooth with a sheen. If you currently have a numerous suits hanging in your wardrobe unworn since March 2020, look for those with tweedy style texture. Wear them as separates, with the jacket as a blazer over a crew knit and the trousers with a half zip knit and tee or with a lightweight down jacket underneath. If all your suits are shiny invest in a casual unstructured blazer in a textured fabric. Labels such as Ted Baker, Oliver Spencer and Officine Generale have some great blazers.

Blazer & down jacket inspo

Officine Generale

Ted Baker

Oliver Spencer

An Alternative to Jeans

If you have had enough of sweat pants and are looking for something more comfortable than jeans, but only own suit trousers, don’t fear there are a whole host of alternatives to try. The easiest jean replacement is the grey chino – a garment that works for everyone not matter what your style preference is. Many brands have this season have produced refined versions of the utility pant and jogging pant in smarter sometimes traditionally formal fabrics. Consider dark cords, moleskins in dark colours or wools and flannels in relaxed cuts to get you through the remaining winter months.

Mango grey chino

Oliver Sweeney utility

Massimodutti jogger fit

A Days March jogger fit

The Cardigan

More often than not, my styling clients approach cardigans like they would marmite. With one camp wholeheartedly embracing the cardigan, the other with sheer horror! The cardigan is a smart casual ‘wfh’ hero piece, that has over the last couple of years had a makeover and no longer considered the preserve of pensioners or geography teachers. There is also a look for every style, be it sporty, urban, preppy, smart or uber trendy. It’s comfortable, looks great layered up, adds colour and texture - see below for yourself.

Barbour

Selected Homme

Thom Sweeney

Superdry

Scarves

Finally an often underrated accessory the scarf. A fail safe easy way to brighten, add interest and inject personality to an outfit. Woolly scarves can be worn when on a park walk or silky cravat styles indoors. Tuck silky printed scarves into shirts and cardigans and add coloured or stripy scarves when outdoors.