The smart casual dress code, decoded.
So you've been invited to a spring soirée, sometime in May when the blooms are out and everyone's basking in the longer days. You open the digital invite and scan the details. At the bottom of the email reads, “Dress code: Smart Casual.”
It’s the party diktat that's most puzzling, but which part is smart? How casual is casual? While a black tie or cocktail dress code is far clearer (you need to dress up), a smart casual dress code could leave you sobbing into your wardrobe in bafflement. Instead, step away from dress code confusion and follow GLAMOUR's ultimate guide to nailing the smart casual dress code for any event this summer.
First of all, what does the smart casual dress code mean?
As wider society moves towards more casual attitudes and casual outfits (blame WFH and lockdown loungewear), dress codes are a far more flexible affair than even just a decade ago. It’s also worth noting that some traditional establishments are abolishing dress codes entirely to ensure they are more accessible and inclusive. We are here for it.
You’re most likely to encounter a smart casual dress code request for daytime events or with your dinner reservations. While you might think adding a dress code to an invitation is restrictive or old-fashioned, they’re meant with good intentions, namely to help guests navigate what’s appropriate and narrow down the options in our overflowing wardrobes. It's always better to know than to keep guessing.
What’s the difference between smart casual and business casual?
Business casual, as the name suggests, is often more relevant to business events – conferences, work lunches, you know the drill. As you can imagine, that would likely entail slightly more conservative, restrained dressing. Think: suiting, hosiery, pencil skirts, while smart casual allows for a little more creativity.
How to tackle a smart casual dress code?
First up, work out what the event is for (is it a work do or your cousin’s baby shower?) Then consider where it’s taking place… will you be in the ballroom of a posh hotel or a country garden? Did you get invited via a stiff piece of card engraved in copperplate font months ago, or via text the previous weekend? This will give you clues as to what level of formality is expected, so you can decide what would be right for that invite.
Work colleagues, with maybe a mix of older age groups, might veer more to the smart end of the spectrum. But at the family baby shower you’ll likely be among people you can dress more casually with. A venue in the country – and outside – will call for a more informal take on styling yourself. If you’re in doubt, message the host and ask them what they’re wearing to get a guide for your own outfit.
How to plan a smart casual outfit
There are a few ways you can get the dress code absolutely bang on…
- Follow the high/low mix – every stylist’s favourite way to ensure you never look overdressed, but are always ‘styled’. It’s a useful guide where you mix something fancy with something casual and will definitely create great lewks that abide by the smart casual dress code. Think jeans and a blazer or a denim shirt with a tailored pencil skirt. The ‘high’ part is the smart element, the ‘low’ is casual.
- TikTok’s take on the smart casual dress code is the buzzy 2x2 dressing formula. Just like the high/low mix but broken down into separates, you take two casual pieces and two dressy ones. And tick! Smart casual done.
- Instead of thinking about the bigger picture of your entire 'fit, focus on the fabrics and silhouettes of what you’re planning on wearing. So choose a smart, tailored silhouette (like a waistcoat or blazer) but in linen rather than formal wool. You could do this in reverse with sweatpants reimagined in silk to make them more dressy.
What not to wear for the smart casual dress code?
Some people say that jeans are too informal for the smart casual dress code, although let’s agree to disagree. This is the GLAMOUR guide to the smart causal dress code, remember. Your pale-wash, ripped and super low-rise baggies should not be in the maybe pile – but a pair of slick, dark indigo tailored jeans would look epic in a smart casual outfit. The trainers you wear to work out in are a no… but simple white sneakers, a pair of box-fresh Adidas Sambas or a pair of designer trainers are the ideal in the mix, if you pair them with something tailored, like a bright suit. Colour is a great way to play up the smart casual dress code because even denim can look smarter in a bright hue – or in any colour other than blue.
If you’d wear an item to the beach, it’s probably too casual (and the fabric will be too informal). Likewise, if you’re planning on wearing something you’d choose for a night out-out, it’s likely to be too glitzy for a daytime event. Anything you’d wear for a night of nachos and dips with Netflix - or that is slouchy, sloppy and stained - won’t cut it either, even as the casual component of your *lewk*. Think polished, sleek and smart - even if you do choose to wear jeans and a T-shirt.
Now I personally love prints, but for the smart casual dress code, maybe pare down on the prints and go for solids instead. That's because prints can wander into the casual/vacation territory, so it might be better to err on the safe side and avoid them entirely. Speaking of vacations—flip flops, cut-offs, revealing clothing are all no-go's.
What accessories are right for the smart casual dress code?
Ah, this is where you can have some fun. So even if you do choose to wear smart jeans and a fresh white t-shirt, you can up the ante with a pair of heels and a fancy handbag (leave your cotton tote at home.) A simple dress will become an elevated outfit with some bold jewellery and a designer belt. Accessories are a very handy way to dial up the drama… But you can quickly remove them so you don't look overdressed, too.
Where to shop for pieces that tick the smart casual dress code?
Remember that it’s all in the mix. You still want to wear an outfit that feels like *you* whatever the dress code and we'd always recommend a browse of NET-A-PORTER before planning your look. Obviously you can find luscious things to actually purchase, but the styling ideas will be invaluable too, whatever your budget. Use them to get inspiration for outfits to recreate with things in your existing wardrobe - or for pieces to search for on rental platforms. ASOS is also a goldmine for cute tops that will fill the gap in an outfit and we love the oversized suits from The Frankie Shop for bringing an outfit together with smart style.
What else to remember about the smart casual dress code?
If you can build up a smarter base outfit, you will have more chance to adapt your look if you arrive and find out everyone majored on the casual part of the dress code. As with our advice on accessories, above, be ready to slip off your blazer, untuck your shirt, take off major jewellery or even slip out of your heels into a pair of this season’s ballet flats. It’s always easier to dress down a fancy ‘fit than glam up if you find you’re the most casual in the room. But if that does happen? It’s smart casual. Don't sweat it.
