Smart casual

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

Smart casual is a loosely defined dress code that is 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 other casual styles, such as business casual (see Western dress code), are unclear.

History

Smart casual was first mentioned in the Iowa newspaper The Davenport Democrat And Leader in May 1924:

The sleeveless dress with three-quarter overblouses, in smock appearance completing it for street wear, is accorded various interpretations. It is at once practiced and gives a smart casual appearance.

Smart casual was commonly used in the last century and merged to form the term business casual in the 1950s, implying a casual suit than the traditional, usual dark suit in heavy cloth.

Definitions

Australia's national dictionary Macquarie Dictionary define smart casual as "well-dressed in casual clothing". Oxford Dictionaries define "neat, conventional, yet relatively informal in style, especially as worn to conform to a particular dress code". Dictionary.com's 21st Century Lexicon define "of clothing, somewhat informal but neat".

Apparel

Personal judgement is required to interpret the ill-defined term smart casual based on its context, theme, people, location, weather and spirit. Italian fashion house Brioni explain smart casual is not an issue of inventory or classification, but rather knowledge and good taste to understand the environment; demonstrating that smart casual during summer in Sardinia is different than smart casual during winter in Toronto. An Australian freelance fashion director remarks, "Smart Casual is the dress code most open to interpretation and the one least understood", and advises wearing fresher colors, lighter, softer materials, patterned, relaxed, thoughtful, less structured, clean and not confrontational apparel with fabrics like linen, cashmere, fine wool and cotton that are freshly laundered.

British national newspaper The Guardian attempts clarifying smart casual from a recruitment perspective by questioning various recruitment consultants. They responded:

• Stand out but blend in by understanding the workplace’s environment.
• Achieve a business-professional look by clarifying the attire in advance because "it's easier to be overdressed than underdressed".
• Wear a smart coat if avoiding a suit to give the impression of a "good entrance because it has an air of formality: a well-cut trench, worn with open shirt and neat slacks".
• Wear accessories to "show creativity and attention to detail", but keep them to a minimal.
• Smart, plain and straight jeans are acceptable.
• Shoes should be clean and un-scruffy.

Global men's fashion business Topman emphasizes the flexibility of smart casual by stating that an individual's personality and comfort level of clothing choice defines the dress code. Smart casual is a multi-purpose outfit that is acceptable for formal occasions, dating or casual social gatherings. Topman explains casual and formal clothing pieces are mixed and matched, and illustrates a smart casual outfit can include a mixture of jeans, blazers, sweaters, necktie, a pair of Brogue shoes, dress shirts, or a pair of converse shoes.

Global men's fashion magazine GQ attempts defining smart casual for a recruitment event. Wearing denim, chinos, a blazer and white shirt to make an impression is suggested. Carrying a necktie is advisable; the author comments "it is far more embarrassing to be under-dressed than over".

Global women's magazine Cosmopolitan in South Africa interprets smart casual as the way most South Africa dresses to work. In addition to work, the outfit is also interchangeable for use at large or small daytime parties, and wearing a dress shirt with elegant accessories is suggested.

Pakistani fashion magazine Fashion Central defines a woman's smart casual from an employment perspective by emphasizing the importance of understanding the workplace's environment and culture. Unwanted attention or jeopardizing one's career may eventuate if incorrect apparel is worn; therefore, checking a company's dress code guideline is advisable. Fashion Central outlines smart casual is clothes unstained and wrinkle-free with non-loud and non-bright colors that reflect the woman's age. Fancy or too casual dresses are inadvisable as well as the use of extreme make-up, such as using dark, glossy or chalky shades, or applying too much eye shadow. Fashion Central reports black or brown heels are preferred by women and advise to correctly select appropriate shoes for a workplace's environment.

Norwegian and American cruise line brand Royal Caribbean International clarifies smart casual for main dining on-board its fleet. Blazers, trousers (including khaki), neckties or shirts are acceptable but shorts, jeans or t-shirts are unacceptable for men. Dresses, casual dresses, pantsuits are acceptable for women.

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).