Smart casual is slowly becoming the new business casual, but what exactly does “smart casual” look like? Smart casual is a somewhat ambiguous dress code that calls for polished yet relaxed attire. It’s a step up from business casual, but not as dressy as formal work attire. Smart casual implies that employees have kicked their dressing up a notch from business casual in a smart and well-pulled-together look.
Here are three tips to help you put together a smart casual outfit.
Swap out your cotton shirt for a blouse or button down shirt
While cotton is comfortable and easy to throw on, it can often appear extremely casual and a bit frumpy. Swapping out your cotton top for something a little more polished but just as comfortable will instantly make you appear more put together while still effortlessly chic.
There are so many blouse and/or button down shirt options out there that look great and don’t break the bank. For women, opting for a top in a silk or chiffon material will create a more dressed up appearance while still giving you the ease of throwing on a cotton top.
Men and women’s button down shirts also come in a range of materials, and now come in a lot of wrinkle free options as well! Look around, try on different styles and materials, and see what option works best for you.
Put on a nice pair of shoes
Putting on a nice pair of shoes can instantly pull together an outfit and make it fit into a smart casual dress code. For men, a good pair of leather shoes can take you very far. Whether they’re wingtips of boots, either option will work well to pull together your look.
Ladies, if you’re looking for comfortable flats that look great as well, I’m a firm believer that Cole Haan flats are the absolute best. They sell a variety of flats made with nike air technology, and they’re all super comfortable. I tend to invest in a good pair of Cole Haan’s every few years, and they have become pretty much the only brand of flats I wear. I love how comfortable they are, and they are made really well, which means that they last.
Swapping out your flip flops or casual sneakers for a comfortable pair of flats or boots will make you appear more polished and less like you’re a school kid. Something about sneakers always makes me think of being on the playground as a child, and that’s not the impression I want my style to give off for work.
Swap out your blue jeans for colored denim
While I’m a huge fan of blue jeans, swapping out your basic blue denim for colored denim can make your look a bit more formal and less casual. Dark jeans can definitely be dressed up, however a pair of black skinny jeans appear more chic and professional. I always love black, but if you like color, mix things up! So many brands offer a wide range of color options that instantly bump up the style of your outfit.
Colored denim is a great option for something a little more formal than traditional blue jeans, but still more casual than a pair of slacks. Colored denim is especially great for business casual offices where you want to look a bit more professional, but still want the ease of throwing on your favorite jeans in the morning.
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You don’t have to do much to instantly create a more polished and professional outfit for yourself. If you think that you don’t have time to dress well, I’m here to tell you that you’re wrong. It’s important that you feel good about what you’re wearing and that your style is functional for your life. If you consider these two concepts when you’re putting together an outfit, dressing well will become easier over time. These small changes to your wardrobe will help you put together a smart casual outfit for the office in a hurry, and will help you make sleek and sophisticated style more accessible in your daily life.