Smart casual attire can always be a little tricky and confusing because it combines two elements that are quite the opposite of each other. It has elements from both the parallels and is usually an upgrade of your casual outfit.
It is not as proper as the business formal style of clothing, nor is it as casual as street style is. Being so neat and put together, these outfits are perfect and versatile for any event or a day or night look.
You can always experiment with your ensemble to make them more fashion-forward than your formal business looks.
Today we guide you through smart-casual outfits you can wear and get inspiration from.
How to Wear Smart Casual Outfits?
This clothing style is not as restricted, giving you room to experiment more. Picking items from the smart and casual side and putting an outfit together is the best way to achieve the perfect look. Try wearing neutral shades, ranging from creams, beige, and browns to black, white, and navy.
You can even wear color, but it depends on the event you are going to, and if done right looks great. Wearing blazers and button-ups with straight jeans or a flirty top with a blazer is a great idea. Replace the heels with pumps and flats, sneakers, or block heels, as it tones down the dressiness of the outfit.
Wear a cute, vibrant top or a printed t-shirt with black bottoms. Replace the suit pants with baggy jeans or trousers, leather pants, and palazzos! The options are endless, and we will guide you through all the ones you can explore!
Styling Tips
- Incorporate at least one element that belongs to the smart, or casual category.
- Opt for collared shirts, button-ups, and blazers.
- Bright colors are acceptable but opt for more neutral shades. You can wear them depending on the event and if it is done right.
- Wearing sweatpants for the casual element is not appropriate because the outfit still needs to be semi-formal.
- Simplify the accessories: wearing chunky jewelry and big statement earrings is not recommended so try these Trendy Office Jewelry Ideas.
Keep scrolling to find all the phenomenal ways you can pull off your outfit!
Celebrity Edit
↓ 32 – Emily Ratajkowski Giving Preppy Meets Athleisure
If you are bold enough to pair navy blue with a hint of hot pink, like Emily, this is the way to do it!
↓ 31 – Solid Serves by Selena Gomez
You can never go wrong with black, regardless of the occasion, and Selena Gomez in this outfit proves just that! The tiny contrast of gold accessories with the black compliments and elevates this fit to make it more dramatic.
↓ 30 – Rosie Huntington-Whiteley Stuns in Creamy Tones
This creamy-beige jacket and trouser set is the perfect addition to a staple wardrobe because the ways to style this set are endless. Rosie showed us an excellent way to pair white and black with it while serving a major look.
↓ 29 – Step Out in Style With Millie Bobby Brown
The peeking collar adds the loveliest touch to the overall look. The pattern on the dress brings an easy-going vibe to the fit and is paired with white block heels. The color palette is stunning!
Spring & Summer Fits
↓ 28 – Button-Up for the Meeting
Going for a smarter look? This look is perfect for all your corporate meetings and presentations. The black and white combo always looks great to pull off that smart look.
The rounded collar instead of the usual collar and the frayed jeans add the most subtle touches of casual to your outfit, without going too over the top. Pair this look up with black pumps and you are good to go.
↓ 27 – How to Style an Outfit for Spring?
Quite possibly the most basic look, a striped blue and white shirt paired with black jeans and a pair of black open black loafers. This look is perfect for all work-related events and so easy to achieve.
↓ 26 – Occasions to Slay This Style
Pair a double-breasted boyfriend blazer with denim jeans, a plain white tee, and cute block heels. The double-toned heels look beautiful and look great with any ensemble.
↓ 25 – Effortless in All Black
This look is a sexy night look. An all-black outfit never disappoints and looks stunning. Pair a black fitted top with leather pants and a vintage leather jacket. Heels or flats will look great with this outfit.
Finish the look off with a pair of sunglasses, and you are ready to make heads turn.
↓ 24 – Go for a Printed Shirt
Want to add something fun to your look? Pair a graphic tee with an all-black outfit! It is a great way to add a splash of your color to your monochromatic outfit without looking too vibrant or funky. A black leather skirt looks so trendy paired with a black fitted coat to keep you warm.
I suggest opting for a longer pencil skirt in leather rather than a mini one to make it more work appropriate. Add stockings or leggings beneath the skirt for a fall/ winter fit!
↓ 23 – Pair Sandals With a Fancy Dress
This dress is not too revealing and looks great for events, including garden parties, brunches, and outdoor parties when you do not feel like putting too much thought into your ensemble but still want to look good.
↓ 22 – Match Your Blazer to the Top
↓ 21 – Button-Up Dress
A denim dress is great for that modern look. Pair it with knee-high socks and black platform shoes or perhaps combat boots.
↓ 20 – Opt for a Longer Top for a Trendy School Fit
A trendy and modern look for teenagers is a cropped white top paired with your favorite jeans and a light cardigan. Add a crossbody bag if you are going out, and add minimal jewelry.
↓ 19 – Nail the Semi-Formal Vibes
Are you looking for an easy-breezy summer fit? Here we have airy white pants, a cropped top, and an embroidered top to go with it. The top adds a bit of color to the outfit without looking too informal.
↓ 18 – For a Day Out with Friends
Here is a perfect ensemble for a day out with friends to the beach, park, or perhaps the mall. It is chic and comfy at the same time. The white and blue button-up is paired with white trousers and white sneakers.
Swap the shoes for a pair of heels to make it more date and fine dining appropriate!
↓ 17 – Work Wear in Darker Tones
Such outfits are appropriate for workwear as they look presentable and are comfortable enough to spend the whole day in. The brown pants are baggy and breathable and look formal, while the black button-up looks effortless and classic. Instead of wearing heels, opt for sneakers for the max amount of comfort.
↓ 16 – Opt for a Pop of Color
Colorful outfits are generally not advised, but if you are not necessarily going to an event that requires a particular dress code and want to dress up smart casual for a day out, go ahead. Here is a bright yellow statement piece blazer paired with comfy shorts and a white t-shirt.
I suggest opting for a longer pair of bottoms. Add small hoops and layered necklaces, and you are good to go.
↓ 15 – Add a Pop of Red to a Monochrome Fit
A white button-up with a black pair of formal pants or jeans is a classic, especially for women over 50. Add a thin coat or shrug on your clothes to tone down the dressiness.
↓ 14 – Swap the Shoes for a Pair of Heels or Ballet Flats
Pair light pink skinny jeans with a white top and a grey blazer. A white pair of slip-on shoes to match the white shirt and a big black bag for all your essentials.
Fall & Winter Outfits
↓ 13 – Pair Taupe Tones With Black
I adore this pairing of taupe with black and makes us wonder why we did not think of styling these phenomenal colors together. This outfit is ultra chic and timeless for any occasion.
Personally, it is leaning a bit more on the formal side. I suggest swapping those heels for a pair of chunky platform combat boots instead of the heels to make it more laidback and wearable for the streets.
↓ 12 – Pair a Baggy Top with a Pair of Slim Fit Pants
This outfit is the definition of smart meets relaxed clothing style! The pants are tailored to fit effortlessly and give you a formal vibe, whereas the oversized sweater and scarf contribute to the informal aspect of the ensemble. Paired together with these boots, this attire is one for the books!
Shop the attire below:
↓ 11 – Perfectly Preppy!
Notice how the pink is not as vibrant, and there are chic elements as well. The sweater is not too baggy and pairs phenomenally with beige loafers. The minimal jewelry makes this two-toned fit one of my favorites for the perfect day look.
I would also recommend checking out these Outfits with Pale Pink Blazers.
↓ 10 – Pair Denim With Platform Sneakers
Gone are the days of skinny jeans, and all we see on our social media feeds are mom, boyfriend of straight jeans. Keep the top half of the outfit casual with a blazer and a plain black tank top and ditch the matching suit pants for this outfit and substitute them with your favorite pair of jeans and converse.
↓ 9 – The One for the Fall
Here is a light autumnal outfit perfect for a day look. A cream button-up sweater paired with light-wash jeans and a long coat is a match made in heaven. Pair it up with your favorite pumps!
↓ 8 – Style With a Dress
Here is a navy solid-colored fitted dress paired with a gorgeous brown coat and matching loafers. The color combination is perfect for the winter and fall months. This outfit is so classy, neat, and trendy.
↓ 7 – Go for a Monochrome Look
I love this look, and it is perfect for a day at university, work, or a day out when you want to look stylish but feel relaxed. Sweater vests have made a huge comeback becoming an essential piece in everyone’s closet. Pair it with a white collared shirt and leather pants to achieve the look.
↓ 6 – Monochrome With Leather Pants
Here we have such a sleek look! A black hoodie paired with leather pants, an oversized leather jacket, and converse shoes. It is a perfect combo of both clothing styles blended into one.
Here are some more of my favorite Outfits with Leather Pants.
↓ 5 – Tie Your Hair in an Elegant Bun
Wear a thick flannel jacket on your all-back outfit to add the laid-back element. Accessorize with a crossbody bag and a cap. The best option is to leave the cap behind and wear an elegant hairstyle to balance the overall attire.
↓ 4 – The One for Outside The Office
This outfit is one of my favorites because of how effortlessly sexy it is while still looking smart and casual. The cropped knitted sweater and tank paired with the pants look so stunning and perfect for date night or a night out with friends.
↓ 3 – Go for the Stree Style!
Pair comfy ribbed pants with a white button-up and a leather vest. This look is giving me modern indie vibes and is not hard to achieve at all.
↓ 2 – Lug Sole Boots Are Here to Rescue the Day
A white collared shirt paired with a sweater on top is a look that has been trending all over Instagram. Pair a mini pleated skirt with your outfit with some combat boots, a white bag, and minimal jewelry.
↓ 1 – Color of the Day: Cream
Loving this sweater, as it is not just some ordinary sweater vest but has slits on the side adding the most modern touch to your outfit. Pair it up with a pair of straight jeans and nude heels.
FAQs
Q. Where to buy my clothes?
Q. Does smart casual include jeans?
Yes! Your attire can be more fashion-forward than a business casual/formal look. Today, skinny jeans have gone out of fashion, and all sorts of jeans from mom, dad, and bell-bottom or wide-leg jean trends have been on the rise.
Jeans dress down your outfit and add the casual element. A blazer on top paired with a blouse or a collared top looks great. You can wear sneakers, block heels, mules, or loafers with your ensemble.
Jeans look great with any fit and keep you feeling relaxed and comfortable throughout the day.
Q. Can I wear smart casual attire for an interview?
Yes, you most definitely can! You will look presentable, formal, and subtly casual too, which will make you feel comfortable and relaxed. If you add a black form-fitting blazer, you will achieve the perfect look for an interview.
Do not wear vibrant colors, and stick to neutrals for an interview outfit. If heels are required, you should incorporate them into your outfit.
Q. Are Vans smart casual?
No, I do not think so. Vans are usually associated with streetwear that is too casual. However, you can wear white trainers and sneakers, and there are many looks that I have added that you can take inspiration from. Vans usually dress down the ensemble too much.
Hi all,
I literally just put in an order and I just realised it put one item twice. Is there any way of letting them know and cancelling one of them?