What does smart casual mean for men?
Smart casual is what it sounds like: A style that’s somewhere between formal and casual. It’s what you wear when you can’t wear jeans and a t-shirt, but you’re not in suit territory either.
To find the best smart-casual look for you, “think about what you normally wear casually, and then add or change one or two pieces of clothing to make your outfit smarter,” advises Thread Senior Stylist Sophie Gaten. To give you an idea, she’s shared three outfit ideas for guys at different points in the casual-to-smart spectrum.
1. Casual Smart Casual
If you normally wear: Jeans, a t-shirt or jumper and trainers.
Your ideal smart casual outfit is: Chinos, a jumper and brogues or derbies.
Why this outfit works: “Chinos are tailored like formal trousers, but the fabric feels light and comfortable, and doesn’t crease easily,” Sophie says. “By subbing in chinos for jeans — and leather shoes for trainers — you’re instantly turning your outfit smart-casual without changing your comfort level.”
2. Medium Smart Casual
If you normally wear: Jeans, a casual shirt and leather shoes.
Your ideal smart casual outfit is: Chinos, a casual shirt and brogues or derbies.
Why this outfit works: “Again, you’re using chinos to make the rest of your outfit look smarter,” Sophie says.
3. Smart Smart Casual
If you normally wear: Jeans or chinos, a casual shirt and leather shoes.
Your ideal smart casual outfit is: Chinos, a casual shirt, a textured blazer and brogues or derbies.
Why this outfit works: “If you usually dress on the smarter side — or you feel an occasion calls for something more formal — the blazer makes this feel extra sharp,” Sophie says.
Originally published at www.thread.com/tips
