Summer outfits guide for women by BOSS Summer outfits guide for women by BOSS
How to achieve an effortless style

Smart casual
for men

Somewhere between all work and all play lies the endless versatility of the smart casual look for guys. Smart casual is the go-to in between when a three-piece suit says too much and casualwear too little; a refined and considered look tempered by a casual, low-key confidence. Going smart casual means looking sharp while feeling completely at ease. It should be a liberating dress code that offers the freedom to wear whatever you feel looks best. This could be anything from blazers and trousers to jeans and trainers, sweaters, and even t-shirts, when styled correctly.

 

Still, there is some anxiety that comes with the smart casual dress code for men. This is largely because of its versatility and general lack of clear rules or standards. When can a suit jacket be considered smart casual and when does it stray too far toward business casual? How can a pair of white trainers be worn without it being seen as athleisurewear?

 

This article is all about unpacking the mystery of the smart casual look for men and unlocking its true potential — to empower men to live and dress with smart style and casual confidence.

What is ‘smart casual’ attire for men?

So, what actually is smart casual for men and how is it achieved? The answer in a word: balance. Think clean lines and sharp tailoring, pared down with comfortable but quality fabrics, and playful elements of self-expression. Nothing is off the table, but it is important that the outfit, when taken as a whole, strikes the right tone.

 

A smart casual outfit for men could look like a lightweight blazer cut to a modern fit worn over a neutral-tone crew-neck sweater or an understated tee. You could also wear a casual shirt in a crease-resistant cotton blend, tucked in for action or left untucked for fun, with a versatile pair of chinos. This look can easily be pared down with some understated classic trainers or casually elevated with genuine leather or suede slip-on loafers.

For those smart-casual dress code occasions, and life’s many moments with no dress code at all, master the art of dressing casually smart and step into the great unknown with confidence.
Summer outfits guide for women by BOSS Summer outfits guide for women by BOSS

How to dress smart casual for men

With so much potential and so many options, it can feel overwhelming to find the right balance. However, with a few wardrobe staples, the kinds that you can depend on with their quality fabrics and defined tailoring, it is possible to create a range of varied looks that all fall within the smart casual dress code’s broad spectrum.

 

Here are some of the most versatile options for creating a smart casual look for men, infused with your own personality and sense of style.

 

Blazers and suit jackets

  • A casual smart look for men by no means requires a blazer. Still, when trying to strike that balance between formal and laidback, a tailored jacket can make all the difference. Sometimes dressing smart casual is easiest when starting formal and paring your outfit down.
  • Begin with a lightweight linen blazer or make a statement with a distinctive corduroy fabric in a bold colour. Find the trousers to match and leave that shirt and tie in the wardrobe. With the smart side of the equation solved, you are free to implement your own casual style with a lowkey t-shirt or sweater, your choice of footwear, and any statement accessories.

 

Shirts, sweaters, and tops

  • If opting for a blazer, you will find that t-shirts, otherwise too informal to be considered as men’s smart casual clothes, now become a viable option. Dial that style up to eleven with a refined suit jacket, then bring it back down to room temperature with your favourite understated tee. Just be sure to maintain that same garment standard with quality fabrics and a flattering fit.
  • A sweater and blazer are another contemporary pairing that has become a popular sight on the red carpet and in the trendiest parts of town. Invest in a cashmere or virgin-wool jumper in a neutral tone and you will have a versatile winter staple in your wardrobe for many years to come.
  • On the other hand, pair a blazer with a collared shirt and you risk straying into business-casual territory. If wearing both, keep the style light with a buttoned-down shirt in a comfortable fit and more relaxed fabric such as jersey or linen. Or, leave the jacket at home and add a pair of relaxed chinos, and you will have more formal style points to play with when it comes to shirt selection.

 

Trousers and jeans

  • When in doubt, trust in chinos. The epitome of smart casual attire for men, chinos seamlessly merge soft and comfortable cotton-blend fabrics with the tailored silhouette you would expect from a pair of suit pants. Just as at home with a shirt and blazer, as they are with a comfortable-fit t-shirt, every modern gentleman needs a pair of chinos they can rely on to get them out of a smart-casual conundrum.
  • Other relaxed trousers, like those with a drawcord waist or crafted from corduroy, when cut to a tapered fit, can also add a more personal and distinctive touch to many a casual smart dress for men.
  • Be mindful when considering jeans for a smart casual look. While they might offer just the kind of easy-going vibe you are looking for on a first date, many places of business still operate on a strict no-denim policy, no matter how smart. Also, consider keeping the fit slim or tapered and the wash clean and minimal to compensate for denim’s more informal image.

 

Footwear

  • Throw that rulebook out because, when it comes to male footwear and smart casual looks, anything goes. From sneakers to brogues, selecting the right shoe can be one of the simplest ways to bring a too-casual look up to par or tone down an overly formal ensemble.
  • Contrast a tailored blazer and shirt against a crisp white pair of contemporary running trainers for a dynamic and active look or curate a balanced ensemble with a low-top pair of genuine leather trainers. Alternatively, relax with a pair of classic Oxfords or Derby’s in a soft suede fabric designed to counterbalance the more formal styling of the shoe.
  • Or play it safe and stylish with some slip-on loafers, classically designed with tasselled or laced trim and capable of bringing balance to any smart casual menswear. Add a pair of white crew-length socks or forgo them entirely for an extra laidback touch.

 

Accessories

  • When it comes to balancing a smart casual look for men, accessories are your best friend. Effortlessly add an extra touch of refinement with a leather-strap timepiece to match your belt and shoes, as is protocol for formalwear, or make a statement with a modern silicone or fabric strap in a contrasting colour.
  • When stepping into unknown territory with only a vaguely defined dress code, be sure to pack a pocket square and tie just in case you need to elevate your outfit beyond the casual.
  • As the seasons change, get your look winter-ready with a chunky-knit beanie and scarf pairing in soft virgin wool, or prepare for summer in style with a pair of sunglasses featuring a contrast between the frame and the lenses for a distinctly laidback and modern look.
  • Smart casual looks for men are more than the sum of its parts. Mix and match high-quality accessories with smart-casual basics like chinos, a sweater, and a lightweight blazer to create the perfect smart casual look for the occasion.