A casual party, a romantic date, or a trip to an art exhibition – there are many occasions where we can allow ourselves to be much more relaxed in our styling. Here, smart casual seems to be the ideal solution, combining elegance and nonchalance with urban chic . Today on our blog, we explain the characteristics of this style, and we also offer tips on how to dress according to its rules!
The history of smart casual style
Did you know that the first mention of smart casual style appeared nearly 100 years ago ? In 1924, to be precise, in the American newspaper "The Davenport Democrat and Leader." Surprisingly, the term was used in reference to women's fashion. In the following years of the 20th century, the term "smart casual" became widely used. In the 1950s, it evolved into "business casual," meaning a more casual suit than a traditional one. Today, admittedly, we've introduced significantly more casualness and, above all, comfort into its dress code.
What does smart casual actually mean?
Smart casual can be interpreted differently . Depending on the environment or profession, this style looks slightly different. For example, in the legal profession, it may even require a jacket. In corporations, where employees are required to dress in very formal attire, smart casual is worn on casual Fridays , but in some companies, such as editorial offices, casual elegance is the go-to style all week long. In practice, we find many environments that associate smart casual with an even more casual look, such as a shirt, trousers, and leather shoes. Therefore, there is no single correct interpretation of this style.
Smart casual can be briefly described as a semi-formal style , which in Polish is called sporty elegance . It introduces a touch of casualness to an outfit without sacrificing a professional image. In practice, it offers a truly wide range of possibilities, as we're not limited to just a suit and silk tie.
So what shouldn't you wear with smart casual style ? Shorts, hoodies, or running sneakers are a no-no. Distressed denim pants or cargo pants are also inappropriate. If you'd like to learn the specifics of this style and sample smart casual outfits for men , be sure to visit the channel of ANSIN's founder, ZOPHIA Stylistka.
💡 HERE we recommend an example video about this style.
Men's smart casual edition
It must be admitted that men usually look great in smart casual styles .
The rules of this style are simple: you can replace strictly formal elements like a full suit and tie with their less elegant counterparts. The foundation of such an outfit is a well-tailored, classic jacket. Color? Here, we're focusing on basic colors like black, navy, or gray, which will go with any pants and shirt. For trousers, chinos are a great option, as they work well with a variety of outfits.
💡 Want to learn more about men's smart casual ? Find ready-made styling ideas in THIS VIDEO .
Smart casual for women
If you value elegance with a touch of casualness, women's smart casual is definitely the dress code for you! When creating this style, you should maintain professionalism, but you can also break the rules of women's business fashion a bit. It's important that the look maintains elegance throughout! It's perfect for everyday wear, both for work and for going out with friends. So how do you create the perfect women's smart casual outfit? We'll explain!
Women's smart casual wear includes various jackets, classic dresses, chinos or cigarette pants, shirt blouses, elegant coats, vests, and blazers . The color palette is quite subdued and subtle – white, black, gray, blue, delicate shades of olive, and beige dominate. When it comes to office dresses , it's worth sticking to elegant styles and good-quality materials. Knitted dresses are only acceptable if the material is thick, high-quality, and the cut is reminiscent of the work uniform.
What about blazers ? This is, of course, as we mentioned, an ideal choice for smart casual. We can easily pair them with simple tops 👉🏻, like our Miss Naked top , to loosen up the look a bit. Check out our Miss Heritage or Miss Bold blazers. Instead of a blazer, you can wear an elegant wool sweater 👉🏻, like our Miss Stylish . Tops in muted colors 👉🏻, like the mocha Miss Elegant turtleneck , are also acceptable for smart casual .
💡 We also recommend our post 👉🏻 Basic dresses in sporty styles
Patricia from ANSIN
