Decoding Men's Smart Casual Clothing

Smart casual basically means being smartly dressed in a casual style. Smart comes first, casual later. It's always wise to put more emphasis on smart, than the casual. Smart casual tries to achieve a middle ground between formal and casual, and although it sounds easy, it can be really confusing to get right.

Blending the formal and the informal needn't be a difficult thing. To help you perfect your smart casual look, let's decode the key pieces of clothing that can be worn as smart casual.

Pants

Men's casual trousers can be easily styled for a smart casual look. Do not go for a highly tailored pant, because our main aim is to create a well-dressed casual look. Your best bet could be dark jeans or chinos. The latter is the safest choice because they're neat and smart and casual. They could in either neutral colours or in a pop hue.

Shirt

The safest choice in shirts would be one in a single colour. But if you're up for it, you could also choose stripes and patterns, particularly if your bottoms are in a neutral hue. The necktie has no place in the smart casual look book, so keep it away and leave the collar button undone.

T-shirt

A T-shirt is a great alternative to a shirt, and can also be smartly paired with every kind of bottoms. But do make sure that you keep it basic and simple and stay away from wild patterns and designs. The simpler the T-shirt is, the closer you'll get to the smart casual look.

Blazer

A blazer can instantly turn your casual look into smart casual, particularly when paired with men's chinos pants. Pick one in lightweight cotton or linen in summer and wool in winter. Always make sure it's well-fitted and tailored. You could either choose a neutral colour or something brighter and patterned for a statement.

Shorts

While men's casual pants online can qualify for a smart casual attire, that is not the case with casual shorts, which make you look like you're heading to the beach. When opting for smart casual shorts, choose tailored shorts or chino shorts since they are neat, smart, and don't look like board shorts. Pair them with blazers, tees, or shirts, they'll look smart anyway. But please keep those cargo shorts away. They don't qualify for anything.

Shoes

With so many options to pick from, your smart casual outfit will not have a dearth of the right shoe. From suede loafers to brogues, boots to Oxfords to boat shoes, pretty much anything goes. Wearing shoes in bold hues and with unique details can add a different dimension to your look. No, trainers need not apply. They only look good in the gym.