Smart Casual Dress Code For Men: A Complete Guide For 2022

Of all the questions to keep us up into the early hours of the night, it’s the eternal quandary of just what the hell smart casual dress code means for men. And to be honest, our anxiety isn’t unfounded: the Macquarie Dictionary defines the smart casual dress code for men as “well-dressed in a casual style” (whatever that means).

So, we here at DMARGE are going to try and unpack that rather vague definition and help break down exactly what constitutes smart casual style for men and the pieces of clothing you should be adding to your wardrobe to help you nail your next event.

Smart casual dress code for men, defined

Image: @menssmartcasual

Other definitions of smart casual dress vary, such as the Oxford Dictionary’s view. This defines ‘smart casual for men’ as “neat, conventional, yet relatively informal in style”. Urban Dictionary gets warmer, offering the incisive description that this is a “nonsensical dress code that people slap onto events, parties, and workplace which always causes confusion and often spectacular results”.

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So yeah, it’s safe to say no one really has a clue what smart casual dress means, but that doesn’t stop men from asking the age-old question. in short, it’s really about adapting these silly definitions to match your personal style.

Instead of surrendering to looking like duds, we’ve decided to break down this nebulous term and demystify it for the confused public (and our own good).

Here, we go through the common elements of the dress code piece by piece, so you can get at least one thing right in your life.

What is smart casual dress code?

Smart casual might be meaningless, but that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook entirely. This confusing no-mans-land is about finding the middle of both ends of the formality spectrum. Like what Byron Bay locals constantly say, everything here is about balance.

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Ultimately, as the very naming of the dress code implies, smart first, casual second. When in doubt – and this should apply to all areas of your life – play it safe and dress on the smarter side. People say it’s better to be overdressed than underdressed for a bloody good reason. You’d hate to turn up to an event wearing a t-shirt, tailored shorts and some crisp white sneakers when everyone else is wearing chinos, shirt and a blazer, for example.

Now that we’ve cleared that up, we’ll break down the wardrobe staples to give you an idea of what will and won’t look the part for the smart casual and nailing your next outfit.

Blazers & jackets

Blazers, bombers, trucker jackets all classify as smart casual.
Blazers, bombers, trucker jackets all classify as smart casual.

With smart casual outfits, it’s better to be overdressed than under, but a work suit jacket is a big style no-no. They’re too structured and just scream corporate attire. Save these for properly formal events. A smart casual blazer, however, should be a staple if you want to lean on the smarter end of the spectrum.

Cotton-linen blends are the thinking man’s option for the warmer months (linen on its own can be fragile), while merino wool or wool-silk blends should be worn in winter. Go for unlined, soft-shouldered jackets or an unstructured blazer with patch pockets, and functioning buttons to roll the sleeves a little if it’s hot.

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Bomber jackets and trench coats are also totally acceptable style options when it comes to smart-casual too. Perhaps a striped t-shirt underneath and neatly pressed trousers. Yes, now you’re talking.

You’ll get more mileage out of plain colours, but don’t be afraid to experiment with bolder shades of blue, burgundy, tan or the odd pattern here and there. Just don’t go overboard with novelty colours, neon, or obscene statement prints someone could spot from the other side of the bar.

For daring men, try a leather jacket with a shirt to spice things up. Just a sample of smart casual clothes.

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RELATED: Best Men’s Chore Jackets

Casual Shirts

Keep it crisp or add some colour
Keep it crisp or add some colour

When it comes to shirts in the context of smart casual, a single-colour shirt in a traditional hue is a safe option, but it certainly isn’t your only option. Patterned casual shirts (stripes or fine houndstooth, for example ) or even printed shirts, bring personality into your style and can be balanced out with more classic pieces elsewhere if you’re concerned about going over the top. Hell, even printed shirts are totally okay these days, just don’t combine too many colours.

If you do want to throw on a printed shirt, then pair it with a neutral blazer and chinos if you want to show you’re here to party, but do so sensibly at the same time.

Do you need to tuck it in? If it’s designed with long shirt tails, yes. If not, then no. But if you’re wearing a jacket, you should always find a way to keep your shirt tucked in, unless you want to resemble a fourth-rate DJ from the mid-2000’s.

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Hot tip: The button-down shirt is a no brainer for men when it comes to smart casual shirts. If you’re wearing one in summer, then try a lighter or brighter smart casual shirt.

T-Shirts

Colour, stripe or plain will work nicely
Colour, stripe or plain will work nicely

This is where the smart casual dress code can work in favour of men who like to be a little lazy with their syle, or just really don’t like the idea of wearing a button-up shirt. T-shirts can most definitely be considered smart casual, but there are some rules to follow.

A t-shirt is a perfectly acceptable part of a smart casual wardrobe, but be sure you stick with the basics only. Go for a crisp, fitted tee with a crewneck. This will help accentuate your broad shoulders and cover up as much skin as possible. Avoid thin, wispy fabrics, because no one is interested in the dimensions of your nipples.

V-neck t-shirts are a complete no-go here unless you want to be known as one of ‘those guys’ from down the pub.

Casual Pants & Jeans

Trousers or denim is okay... even wide-legged is cool
Trousers or denim is okay… even wide-legged is cool

As with your upper half, when it comes to putting on some pants, you can take advantage of the more ‘smart’ casual nature intended for your outfit. This means you can forget wearing suit pants or formal trousers entirely and buy chinos or a pair of slim denim jeans instead.

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There are still some rules to abide by, however. Keep your pants and chinos fitted, keep colours neutral, and keep them on the shorter side to prevent any ugly folds over your shoe.

And while there is some casual leeway, that doesn’t extend to anything ripped – you’re not in a Pearl Jam cover band or going to a music festival.

If you decide to wear a pair of jeans, you should look to be wearing darker shades of denim blue, or go for black jeans, and be sure to avoid rips to ensure you keep with the ‘smart’ part of the casual. Ideally, pair your denim with a shirt or t-shirt and a blazer.

Shorts

Go plain or printed just keep things above the knee
Go plain or printed just keep things above the knee

With smart casual shorts, it’s probably easier to tell you what to avoid. Boardies, cargo shorts, anything below the knee, and anything you could be seen playing sport in should be firmly ignored.

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Instead, you should be wearing something tailored, to show you’re putting in a bit of effort, in cotton or cotton-linen. Chuck in a pattern if the rest of your outfit is plain to keep your style credentials on point, but otherwise keep it simple with navy, grey, or cream. And we did say keep them tailored, but they shouldn’t look like retro footy shorts where beans contour reigns supreme.

Shoes & sneakers

Sneakers, loafers, espadrilles, derbies are all acceptable
Sneakers, loafers, espadrilles, derbies are all acceptable

Unlike cocktail dress (smart casual’s older, aloof brother) smart casual shoes are less of a problem. You can get away with a lot, but not quite everything. The rule is to keep them harmonious with the top half of your outfit. Don’t wear oxfords with shorts and a linen oxford shirt, for example.

The nature of the event will certainly dictate the style of footwear we as men can get away with. If it’s a friend’s 30th birthday, then by all means, wear a pair of clean white sneakers or Chelsea boots. If you’re headed to a wedding, however, then you’ll need to wear a pair of smart casual dress shoes instead.

And you might want to think about avoiding Converse All-Stars with chinos and a blazer. Yes, style-wise they can look good, but you have to remember your audience and where you’ll be wearing them. Anything from tennis shoes and suede derby’s to monk straps and loafers all fit the fashion ticket – provided they’re clean and not scavenged in a frenzy from the bottom of a clearance tray.

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You probably know better already, but remember that shoes make or break the outfit and you’ll be judged on their merit even if you’re wearing a Rolex and shouting everyone beers.

Accessories

Go easy with accessories

Ties are optional, but to be honest, we can’t foresee a smart casual attire event that ever screams out for one. Leave it at home and bring a pocket square instead to add some colour. Coordinate it with your shirt, ensuring you avoid hankies that are too bold or contrived.

You’ll also want to be sure you add a belt into the mix to ensure you understand style. You don’t necessarily need the fanciest full-grain leather belt from a high-end designer brand, as you can certainly play around with materials, such as woven and textile belts.

Sunglasses for the daytime are a must (especially if your conversation partner is a bit dull and your eyes wander). Tortoiseshell is the best pick for individuality, but conservative black or brown frames are fine if the rest of your outfit has plenty of colour.

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You should also look into investing in some pieces of jewellery. A simple leather bracelet or a sterling silver signet ring can instantly transform a perfectly passable smart casual outfit into one that will help you stand out and be the subject of gossip the following day.

And remember, men, never leave the house without a good smile and a courteous attitude. They’re the best accessories you can bring.

What The Fashion Experts Say About ‘Smart Casual For Men’

“Denotes giving thought to your casual outfit. The ‘smart’ in smart casual also implies clever dressing. Considering comfort, and relaxed style, the key for me is to have one smart or hero piece in your casual ensemble. A denim shirt with a linen suit, a pair of box fresh sneakers with an unstructured suit or handmade loafers with your favourite jeans, just may do the trick. Tucking in your shirt or rolling cuffs can make a remarkable difference to your casual outfit, rendering it ‘smart casual’. Smart casual is the ultimate mix of tailoring, smart footwear choices and core casual wardrobe staples.”

Jeff Lack @jefflack

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Smart Casual For Men FAQ

What is smart casual?

In its most basic form, smart casual dress code refers to pieces that are less formal than suits and black tie, yet not as casual a t-shirt, shorts and outlandish, colourful sneakers. A simple smart casual attire outfit for beginners would be a clean oxford shirt, dark jeans and a pair of clean, minimalist sneakers. Hopeylly that makes sense to our male friends.

Is a t-shirt smart casual?

Yes, you can wear a t-shirt as part of a smart casual outfit. Just be sure it fits well, and if possible, tuck it into your pants.

Are polo shirts smart casual?

Yep, polo shirts can definitely be considered smart casual if they’re not too colourful or have large prints and patterns on them. Both short and long sleeve polo shirts in single block colours such as navy, black or burgundy look great when paired with jeans or chinos.

The post Smart Casual Dress Code For Men: A Complete Guide For 2022 appeared first on DMARGE.