Smart casual

This article is about the dress code. For the album, see Smart Casual (album).

Smart casual (as distinct from business casual) is a loosely defined dress code; casual, yet "smart" (i.e. "neat") enough to conform to the particular standards of certain Western social groups. As "smart casual" is not formally defined, the lines between it and the other casual styles such as business casual (see Western dress code) are often blurred.

The phrase "semi-formal" may sometimes be used for this type of wear (especially in the context of high school dress codes), although semi-formal in fashion terminology refers to much fancier dress codes such as black tie.

Menswear

Smart casual for men includes dress trousers, a long-sleeve dress shirt (tie optional), leather loafers or dressy slip-ons, dress socks, a belt, and, if appropriate, a sport coat or blazer. Some interpretations allow for sweaters and knit pullovers paired with button-down shirts; especially v-neck sweaters. Dark-coloured and well-maintained jeans are acceptable in some environments but not in others. Flip flops and shorts are not acceptable under a smart casual, nor in most cases are T-shirts (especially printed ones), except as an undershirt. Smart casual attire should feature muted, usually solid colors (patterns, if present, should be modest, such as vertical and/or horizontal stripes on shirts and houndstooth or argyle on sweaters; pants should always be a solid pattern).

External links

Please note that chinos are not mentioned in the Oxford Dictionary references and so as this was non verifiable it was removed.