Photo by Derrick Perry
"The dress code is smart casual."
When we feel like we just figured out what business casual means for women, in walks smart casual attire. Which brings me to the next question? What the heck is smart casual? How is smart casual different from its (presumed) cousin, business casual?
According to this MasterClass article, smart casual attire can include “well-fitting, polished business wear with elements of casual attire—think blouses, polo shirts, button-downs, chinos, dress pants, dark-wash jeans, and polished, practical footwear.”
On the “spectrum of formality,” smart casual exists between dressy casual and business casual. If you’re not big into style, fashion, or trends, the idea of a new professional dress code is hellish and sounds expensive.
We’re here to take the pain out of smart casual—to help you dress like the professional you.
Table of Contents
- What is Smart Casual?
- What is the Difference Between Smart Casual and Business Casual?
- How to Add Personal Style to Smart Casual Looks
- 5 Smart Casual Workwear Tips
- 5 Other Smart Casual Staples to Have in Your Wardrobe
- A Few Smart Casual Summer Looks
What is Smart Casual?
Smart casual attire exists at a cross-section of professional work style (think blazers!) and your personal style.
While you might not be wearing your favorite athleisure pants to work, you also don’t need to be in a matching power suit—unless that’s part of your style.
Speaking of personal style, your style can come to work with you when dressing smart casual. Smart casual allows you to incorporate trendy pieces into a clean work outfit.
Think of straight-leg black pants, a neutral cardigan, and a button-down shirt with a bold pattern. The pants and cardigan are bringing the “smarts,” while the button-down shirt is doing double-duty—bringing those business buttons and your personal style via the bold pattern.
What is the Difference Between Smart Casual and Business Casual?
Okay, here’s the big question. What is the difference between business casual and smart casual? Here’s the truth. They are pretty similar. The main difference between smart casual and business casual is that smart casual tends to allow more trendy, fashionable items.
How to Add Personal Style to Smart Casual Looks
Depending on your workplace, your smart-casual wardrobe might look exactly the same as a business casual wardrobe.
However, if you are just itching to express yourself in the workplace, a smart casual wardrobe might give you the opportunity to do so. Let’s explore a few ways you can add your personality to a smart casual wardrobe.
- Some bold blue-blocking glasses
- A pretty scarf (beware of all the compliments you’ll get)
- A pair of clean, streamlined sneakers
- A boldly-patterned dress
- A clean t-shirt with a fun pattern, graphic, or stripe!
- A “signature piece” that you own a few versions of (ie. Your collection of office-appropriate jumpsuits)
Smart casual attire that can reflect your personality is fun. My best friend, Lydia, spends a good time curating her outfits every day. While she probably wouldn't fit the “Smart Casual” criteria in an investment bank setting, she certainly does in her fashion industry job.
A few years ago, I attended a breakout session during a marketing conference called "How to Network Without Being a Jerk." One of the main pieces of advice was always to wear a "conversation starter" when networking. The speaker wore a wooden bowtie, which, I am sure, sparked many conversations.
What Lydia brings to work every day is a fun conversation starter—whether in her dangling earrings, her perfect accessorizing, or her themed looks for certain days.
It might seem silly to many, but curating your look and wearing your personality is a great way to connect with coworkers, prompt conversations, and brighten someone’s day. Seriously, I cannot count the number of times Lydia’s outfits have achieved a smile from the biggest curmudgeons out there.
5 Smart Casual Workwear Tips
Since smart casual has lots of wiggle room, you can try some things out and see how they work. However, here are some of our DOs and DON'Ts for dressing smart casual at work.
DO Keep an Eye on What Others are Wearing
You can take your cues from those around you. If you’re starting a new job, take a look around the office as you walk to your interview.
A big question we all ask—especially in the fall and winter months—is, “Can I wear jeans to work?” and we always hope the answer is affirmative.
Keep an eye on the office and take a mental note of “casual” items worn, their quality, and what you might have at home. Look for jeans, t-shirts, dresses, jackets, and other items that might be hanging in your closet.
DO Use Your Boss as a Model
The adage of “dress for the job you want” is true—and this works as sort of an extension to this rule. Keep an eye on what your boss wears. Follow those guidelines + create your own look.
For example, if your boss is one of those people who glide into the office in an all-silk look, well, that might not be in your budget. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t look just as sleek in an all-cotton set.
We're not saying to mimic what your boss wears. Rather, use the level at which your boss dresses as a starting point for your own workwear.
DO Accessories
Okay, it’s rich that I am including this tip because I am not an accessories person. However, a fun pair of shoes, a colorful pair of earrings, a sentimental necklace, or a patterned watch band could be just the “pop” your outfit needs.
Blue-blocking glasses are also a fun accessory. First of all, they help your poor eyeballs against the constant onslaught of blue light. Secondly, they can be really stylish. Me? As soon as I finish writing this, I will find a Sally Jesse Raphael pair.
DON’T Do Too Much
Everything varies from workplace to workplace. While your “creative” environments in fashion, arts, or publishing might embrace a zazzy look, other workplaces might not love it.
We’re not saying you can’t be yourself. In fact, if a workplace is using the words smart casual in their guidelines, they should have a good idea of what it actually means.
Coco Chanel advises, “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.”
In short, this advice is to not overdo it. If you’re wearing a big headband, big earrings, a statement necklace, and your bright red pumps, consider losing one item—maybe two.
But, then again, if it makes you happy to showcase who you are through your accessories, go for it?
DO Get Yourself a Blazer
If you’re going to buy yourself one item of clothing to last your entire career—no matter your age, style, or gender—let it be a blazer. Big presentation? Wear a blazer! Is your hair acting up today and making you feel messy? Throw on a blazer. Asking for that big promotion? Yep! It’s blazer time.
You can find a vast variety of blazers—from lime green to houndstooth—and make sure that the professional you is still you.
5 Other Smart Casual Staples to Have in Your Wardrobe
Unlike a business formal dress code, a smart casual dress code will not require you to overhaul your entire wardrobe.
A good rule of thumb we found when considering smart casual comes from Sir Hardy Amies, who explains, “Smartness is more a matter of the appearance of your clothes rather than their style.”
We all know that “jeans” can run a wild gamut—from distressed to the brink of threads hanging from a waistband to well-tailored pants that barely resemble denim as we know it. What makes you look “smart” often comes down to fit, quality, cleanliness, and appearance.
Since we have already extolled the merits of a lifelong blazer, here are the other smart casual items to have in your rotation.
- Jeans or Trousers
- Versatile one-piece item (dress or jumpsuit)
- Button-down shirt
- A patterned shirt
- A nice t-shirt
So, there you have it. As an employee, you are going to bring the smart to smart casual every day. Make it count!
In Conclusion, A Few Smart Casual Summer Looks
Since we are publishing this in the summer, we created a few smart casual summer-y looks that we would love to wear into the office.
Smart Casual Look #1, Smart Summer: Cotton Dress in a Bold Print, Closed Toe Espadrilles
Smart Casual Look #2, Polished + Breezy: Mock Neck Pullover Top, Washable Silk Skirt
Smart Casual Look #3, Bold, Bold Summer: Bold, Summery Blouse, Lightweight Neutral Camisole, Stretch Ankle Pants
