How To Dress Smart Casual: What You Need To Know

Smart Casual works at work.

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By Meghan M. Biro

When I was a recruiter for big tech in their explosion years, I saw a lot of candidates and a lot of styles of dress. The one that worked in that world has extended into many other arenas, and that's smart casual. Smart casual has actually been around for a century or so: it was first coined in 1924. But it rose to popularity along with the rise of Silicon Valley (hello turtlenecks and black jeans) and then the Zoom era. Since then, it's become one of the most standard ways to dress in today's workplace, and you could say its trajectory reflects our changing attitudes towards how we work.

A pre-pandemic Randstad survey of a thousand full-time employees found that a full third (33 percent) would quit their jobs rather than have to adhere to a formal dress code. Since then, many companies have relaxed their attire requirements substantially. A February 2023 survey by Adzuna of over 1 million job ads in the UK found that 79.9% of ads citing a specific dress code mention relaxed attire. Organizations are not necessarily getting into the particulars: 5.2 percent specified "smart casual" and 2.8 percent specified "business casual." But that may be more that job descriptions don't want to get into the sartorial weeds.

Meanwhile, you've got to get dressed, and when it comes to hitting it right, smart casual may be the move. ("What is smart casual" is an incredibly popular search query.) So here are some answers to typical questions on smart casual attire:

What Is Smart Casual?

Smart casual is an approach to dressing professionally that mixes trendier pieces in with classic staples. The goal is an appearance that's clean and professional but doesn't look too formal. You want to look pulled together but a bit interesting and approachable.

For men, that might mean an outfit that pairs a knit polo shirt (no graphics or crazy prints) with a good jacket and a pair of dark, well-fitting jeans (no holes). For shoes you might go with high-end leather sneakers or Chelsea boots. A typical outfit for women might include a sleek, tailored blouse, softened with an unstructured jacket, flowing, pleated Trousers, and a chunky-heeled or modern loafer. You're dressing to make an impression without dressing to impress. The overall takeaway should be that you're not trying too hard, but you're not slacking either.

What's The Difference Between Smart Casual And Business Casual?

Requirements on dress codes may seem arbitrary at first — isn't casual casual? The easy answer is no: there is indeed a difference. You might say that the "smart" part is what makes this style different from business casual. Business casual tends to be a bit more formal, conservative, and more restrained. (Interestingly it's on the rise as well:

You'll often hear a dress code for big meetings described as business casual, particularly in sectors like finance. For men, that means you don a suit and a collared shirt but no tie (which immediately states "casual") and opt for a good classic loafer. For women, a spiffy sweater over a tailored skirt (knee-length or longer) or slacks with a low heel pump or a dressy flat, all topped with an elegant silk scarf. The look still says business without being too buttoned-up.

To shift those outfits to smart casual:

For men, keep the collared shirt but ditch the suit. Wear dark chinos or dark jeans instead. Trade the loafers for a pair of suede Chelsea boots or brogues. That sleek dress belt you wore with the suit? Swap that out for a more rugged belt, say in a distressed brown — but if the belt has topstitching, make sure it's muted, not a blaze of white thread.

For women, keep that sweater and the skirt but throw the sweater over a white button shirt with a longer hem for a modern but layered look. Ditch the silk scarf for a muted, linen shawl in the same color family. Trade those low heel pumps or flats for an ankle boot. Bingo: the look says confident, comfortable, and coordinated.

What's The Difference Between Smart Casual And Casual?

Casual is casual. In the working world no one wants to look a mess, but I've been on video conferences where sweatpants, hoodies and t-shirts proliferate. From a work culture perspective, nothing says "We all work remotely and don't need to watch our appearance" like a Zoom grid of sweatshirts. As business casual and smart casual have become the norm, casual has probably taken a step or two down towards the sports and loungewear side. The key differentiator is that with smart casual and business casual, you're trying to make that impression. It may be low-key, but it matters.

What Should I Avoid When Dressing Smart Casual?

Loud prints and patterns. Even though it's casual, it's not loud. Smart also means put together without making a big statement.

Jeans that are heavily distressed or ripped. There's casual, and then there's too casual. The idea is that you can be in a professional setting.

Revealing clothing. Cutouts, miniskirts, sheer tops, tank tops, camisoles, muscle shirts — nope.

Tons of ruffles and pleats. Way too distracting and fussy for a professional setting.

Flip flops or crocs — just don't.

Head to toe brights — way too distracting.

Funky or flashy accessories — save those for the afterparty and go with more simple and clean pieces.

Tracksuits, athletic wear or athletic shoes — way too casual. (And see more in sneakers below.)

Hoodies and sweatshirts — generally these are going to seem too casual.

Suit and tie — unless you dress it down with a pair of clean, spiffy sneakers or flats, avoid the corporate coordinated look

Unkempt hair, dirty nails, and a generally unshowered look.

So I Can Really Wear Sneakers?

You can wear certain sneakers. Above all they should be clean. Classic, simple, white leather sneakers are a good bet. Same with black, or grey, or brown — so long as they're not a whole mishmash of textures and tones or bright colors. Nylon running shoes with contrasting trim and a Day-Glo heel will not work. Funky platform sneakers probably won't work either — same goes for most hi-tops and basketball sneakers. Go minimal. Go plain. Go unobtrusive. Go subdued. Above all, go not worn-out or dirty.

I'm Nonbinary. How Can I Do Smart Casual?

Smart casual works for any gender, including nonbinary. Just go for the pieces that inspire confidence and comfort and fit into a slightly more relaxed but refined silhouette. More and more workplaces are stepping up in terms of diversity and inclusivity and should be providing a comfortable work environment no matter your gender identity. And bear in mind you're far from along: there are some 1.2 million LGBTQ Americans who identify as nonbinary.

Will Smart Casual Work In Any Workplace?

Of course, how you dress in your workplace is going to be dictated by your employer's own guidance, and how you dress smart casual is going to be dictated as well by the industry you're in. Smart casual in a record company might include huge hoop earrings and a jumpsuit, or track pants and a vintage rock T shirt — but that's certainly not the norm. Some organizations are going to appreciate trendy pieces more than others: an iconic midcentury furniture manufacturer is likely to have far more room for experimentation than a legacy accounting firm.

Consult the dress code requirements and consider the context: if you're going to a professional industry event, you may want to dress it up a notch, which dinner out with the team can call for a more relaxed approach. The thing about smart casual is that it's also truly versatile, so long as you're not coloring outside the lines of polished but relaxed, with a mix of timeless and trendy. It's all in the mix.

Smart casual is a hybrid term —on the one hand it's "smart" and spiffy, on the other it's casual. It goes with this era of the hybrid workplace. I see it as a bridge approach — it can comfortably span both those who work remotely and those on-site; it suggests a more obvious understanding of work/life integration with its mix of polished and less formal; and it works for a whole range of gender identities. But if you're in a situation where you're not sure how casual to go with your attire, I'd err on the side of formal. In an interview with a company leader, for instance, better to be too dressed than not dressed enough. You can always unclip your hair or pull off your tie. But if you're going to have a meet and greet with the team, that's likely a perfect opportunity to rock the smart casual.

Julianne Moore Makes A Strong Case For Smart-casual Dressing With White Wide-leg Jeans At Cannes

Julianne Moore debuted a super chic pair of white, wide-leg jeans at Cannes proving that the smart casual look always looks good, whatever the occasion. 

The Cannes Film Festival always serves up chic looks for us to admire, and this year has been no exception. So far, we've gotten to witness Helen Mirren's blue-gray hair, and Katie Holmes's super sexy black blazer - but that only scratches the surface of the fabulous looks that have been displayed so far.

Although many of the looks at Cannes tend to be glamorous, there is also room for some more casual looks - which is favorable for us, seeing as these outfits are way easier for us to draw inspiration from. Julianne Moore, for example, debuted a super chic outfit on May 22 at Cannes, and it's about to be our go-to look for the summer. 

For the photocall of Julianne's upcoming film, May December, which also stars Natalie Portman, the A-list actress wore a chic outfit comprised of white wide-leg jeans and a fab black blouse with white detailing. 

There is truly no color combo that is more universally chic than black and white, and Julianne took this in her stride - but added a modern touch to her look with the trendy cut of her wide-leg jeans. So, if you've been wondering how to style wide-leg jeans, take Julianne as a source of inspiration.

If you've been on the internet at all in the last two years, you know that there is quite a debate continuing to brew about whether skinny jeans are now a fashion faux pas. Perhaps Julianne Moore just silently made her claim in the debate. 

There are so many upsides to wearing wide-leg jeans, the two most prominent being that they're generally more comfortable and that they add a certain modern flair to any look.

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For Julianne's Cannes look, she paired her white, floor-length jeans with a black blouse that boasted puffy sleeves, button detailing, and a white asymmetrical collar - still looking chic and tailored without the fuss of a glamorous gown. 

Since her pants go all the way to the ground, it's impossible to see the star's shoes - but we'd like to assume she was wearing some strappy black heels. As for the accessories that could actually be seen, the star wore a pair of large Louis Vuitton sunglasses, as well as some dainty silver hoops, keeping her blouse and her jeans the stars of her sartorial show. 

10 Best Tapered Trousers For Women This Summer

When it comes to perfecting our summer wardrobe, one of the biggest challenges is finding a pair of go-to trousers that we can wear on the regular. From comfortable waistlines to breathable fabrics, a staple pair of summer trousers need to have it all - and Tapered Trousers are at the top of our wishlist this season.

Designed with a flexible waist and often an ankle-grazing fit, tapered trousers look just as stylish teamed with a pair of heels and a blouse for a smart workwear look as they are with an oversized shirt and flats for a laid-back style - not to mention how flattering the timeless trousers are. 

From H&M to Marks & Spencer, Mango and more, shop the edit of the best tapered trousers that you need to elevate your wardrobe this summer.

H&M Linen-Blend Tapered Trousers

H&M's linen-blend tapered trousers feature a flattering waistband and a subtle elasticated back, so they'll be comfortable for wearing all day.

M&S Drawstring Tapered Trousers

Mango Straight Tapered Trousers

We're obsessed with the bright pink colour on these tapered suit trousers for Mango. The matching blazer is also available to shop to complete the look. 

Boden Stretch Tapered Trousers

We could see Boden's straight leg tapered trousers being a work go-to style for all year, and they come in several other colours including sky blue, maroon and navy.

& Other Stories Tapered Trousers

Finished with press creases and fold-up cuffs, these & Other Stories tapered trousers are so stylish.

ASOS Linen Tapered Trousers

Make a statement this summer with ASOS's sunshine yellow tapered mom trousers.

Brunello Cucinelli Twill Tapered Trousers

For an investment pair of trousers that you'll reach for every year, try the Brunello Cucinelli cropped trousers in off-white.

River Island High-Waisted Tapered Trousers

Style River Island's cropped tapered trousers with a pair of strappy heels and white fitted top for a glam evening look, or keep it casual with white trainers and a crossbody bag. ​

Mint Velvet Tapered Trousers

Mint Velvet's classy tapered trousers will never go out of style. 

COS Twill Tapered Trousers

These tailored tapered trousers from COS feature double-pleated legs and turned up cuffs to complete the effortlessly chic style.

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