Introduction
As we all know nowadays dressing for work is challenging because while choosing our outfits for work we get confused that they will fit to the standards of smart casual dress code for our workplace or not.
So, to clear this confusion let’s start this journey with us by reading this 5-10 minute article.
In this article, you will get the knowledge of what is smart casual and the guidelines for dressing in this style, how to put together all Items in a smart casual outfit, examples of smart casual outfits for female professionals, avoid the top 5 smart casual dress code Mistakes, will smart casual work in any workplace, etc.
What is Smart Casual and the Guidelines for Dressing in this Style?
It was first coined in 1924. Smart casual is a professional but a little relaxed dress code as compared to casual and formal dress codes because in the new era of work-life experience in offices, it has changed over several decades to smart casual outfits.
The goal of smart casual is that look clean and professional but not too formal as compared to other typical corporate staff.
Smart casual is an doubtful or uncertain dress code for many people, the particular reason for this circumstance is that they may vary in some workplaces, companies, and different industries.
So, if you are not sure what is acceptable and what is not in your workplace, don’t be afraid or feel shy to ask the HR department of your company regarding the smart casual dress code and they will tell you an accepted way of dressing for a particular occasion or in a particular social group.
Or, simply look around at your seniors and see how they are dressed up regularly for their workplace and get inspired by them, and take some tips and try to apply on to you.
A classic two-piece suit or corporate dress can be avoided because it looks like a formal or structured dress code rather than smart business casual.
Items considered for smart casual are:dresses-especially a middy or knee-length style, jumpsuits, culottes, jeans(not heavily ripped ones), shirts, short kurtas, blouses, straight kurtas, striped tops, smart knitwear, blazers, biker jackets, chunky heels, trainers and smart flat shoes like brogues or pumps. All of these styles are fit for a smart casual dress code.
To Pin the Smart Casual look, choose items such as:
Tops: Neutral or colorful and/or printed blouses and shirts, straight short kurtas made up of hand-block printed fabric, smart cardigans in a dressy fabric such as crepe knit, silk button-up shirts, or collared shirts- tailored blazers.
Bottoms: tailored pants(choose from straight or wide leg styles), smart chino pants and dark washed denim, formal pants(choose from skin fit or wide leg styles according to your body type), midi skirts, and stylish pencil skirts(knee length or below).
Dresses: Smart midi dress, wrap dress, cotton suits, stylish pencil dress, and smart belted shirt dress. Take those dresses that come below your knee or knee length.
Shoes: Both heels and flats are acceptable. Choose from smart ballet or pointed flats, loafers, or brogues. For heels, choose sling- backs, knitten heels, pumps, block heels, smart wedges, and ankle boots.
Accessories: such as earrings, bracelets, and necklaces or we can choose bolder jewelry.
How to Put Together All Items in a Smart Casual Outfit
Start with the basics: First of all, you need to select your favorite item from your wardrobe, which means your favorite color, and design, that fits well, then try to pair up with the above items like bottoms, tops, shoes, etc.
Try to wear minimalist colors and designs according to your choice which fit well with the smart casual outfit.
A blazer: try to wear a blazer with the basic striped blouse and with straight-leg pants, it will enhance your smart casual look entirely.
Tailored Pants: wear them with a striped top, neutral or colorful printed blouses and shirts, and straight short kurtas.
Experiments with Textures and Fabrics: Buy good Quality fabric clothes because their smoothness/softness and texture style design give the appearance to other collogues if they are beside or in front of you.
Examples of Smart Casual Outfits for Female Professionals
Avoid The Top 5 Smart Casual Dress Code Mistakes
- Wearing casual clothes: Avoid wearing casual or daily use clothes like cargo or jogger pants, floaty or long summer dresses, hoodies/jumpers, mini-skirts, and graphic or logo t-shirts. These all items will decrease your smart casual look.
- Dressing head to toe in traditional corporate wear: Avoid it because this concept is now getting older day by day and makes us feel low in our smart casual culture.” Avoid a stuffy corporate look ”.
- Paying little attention to your grooming: It is not good that you dress up well according to the smart casual standard, to make it perfect you need to pay some attention to your grooming also like no stains on your shirt or blouse, your shoes should be neat and clean, proper creased shirt, well-praised pants, your hair should be well maintained, etc.
- Wearing any of the following:
.Leggings
.Spaghetti tops/halter tops/cut sleeves tops/strapless tops
. Low-cut tops that visibly show cleavage
.Lycra or tight-fitting fabric
.Thongs or flip flows
5. Wearing clothes that don’t fit well: Avoid them, because they make you uncomfortable on the premises of your workplace and you feel low in front of your collogues.
Will Smart Casual Work in Any Workplace?
Yes of course, as we can see that in a few years the trend has changed very quickly and adopted by many corporate companies rapidly so the above statement is not wrong “That will smart casual work in any workplace”.
Even, this dress code also fit with small corporate programs, festivals, wedding ceremonies, etc.
Smart Casual Outfit Ideas For Summer
- White shirt + skirt + smart sandals
- A midi dress + white trainers + biker jacket
- Striped top + midi skirt + heeled shoes
- Short kurta + jeans + pointed flats
Conclusion
In this article, we have learned some basic tips and tricks on how to dress for a smart casual look in your workplace and also understand what to avoid for it.
Learned some basic guidelines and smart casual outfit ideas for summer, some examples of smart casual outfits for female professionals
Want precise and structured knowledge of smart casual looks, or what type of clothing suits your body type?
