We're heading to New York soon and in the process of making a few dinner reservations I found several upper-tier restaurants with very prominent dress code policies on their websites. Smart Casual seemed to the be terminology of choice which got me thinking what Smart Causal actually meant when it came to a wardrobe.
In our Southern city, dress codes are basically nonexistent. Contrary to what a lot of people think, people in the South dress very casually - especially compared to northern, larger cities like New York. 9 times out of 10 when Lee and I go out for a date night in Greenville we are normally the objectively nicest dressed couple in the establishment. We see shorts way too often, flip-flops in the dead of summer and lots of tee shirts. Lots of tee shirts.
And while I'm not an oft fancy dresser in my own home, I do think dress codes that prompt people to make an effort add a nice touch when you're paying $$$ for a wonderful meal at an elegant restaurant. My frustration with the style of the South aside, I wanted today's blog post to help decipher this smart causal dress code that we see everywhere from business lunches to Balthazar reservations.
What Is a Smart Casual Dress Code?
Ok, let's define the smart causal dress code. With the word 'causal' in the name I think a lot of people get thrown. It's like the Business Causal dress code. How does one stay business professional and also causal? A few guidelines I like to think about when it comes to dressing in a Smart Casual way:
- If you're unsure about just how casual to go, err on the side of dressier. It's always better to be overdressed than underdressed.
- Smart Causal is all about juxtaposing more causal elements with dressier ones.
- If you're wearing a dress try pairing it with well maintained white leather tennis shoes. My personal favorite are the classy Sezane Jack Sneakers the pop of gold on the hardware make them ever so elegant.
- Likewise, if you're wearing a dress and it's spring/summer go for a more casual fabric like cotton or linen but in a classic silhouette.
- Jeans are acceptable in a smart causal dress code, but again juxtapose them with a very dressy top like this one.
- Pair jeans with heels and a blazer if you're at a work event or for an evening out to dinner
- Also, it's generally accepted that darker washes of denim are more dressy, but black or even white jeans also fit the dress code. These are my favorite cropped ivory jeans - they're comfy and can get dressed up very easily.
- Trousers are all the rage these days and you can find amazing, budget pieces like these to wear with a fitted tee and sneakers. Add a leather bag and belt for a very on-trend smart causal look.
- Use your accessories to make a dressy statement for you. Pair a great bag and belt with a monochromic white or black look and you'll be the best dressed in the house.
Watch My Smart Casual Dress Code Lookbook on YouTube
The Building Blocks of a Smart Casual Wardrobe
Smart Causal Outfit Examples & Ideas
If you watched the YouTube video above you'll have seen lots of examples and ideas for some Smart Causal outfits. Ones that leaned heavily into the juxtaposition of causal elements like denim or sneakers with dressy items like dresses and silk shirts. If you're looking for a bit more inspiration, check out some of the photos of inspiration below.
*photos pulled from Pinterest, sources attributed when possible
Where to Shop for Smart Casual Pieces
Although there are no rules when it comes to shopping for smart causal pieces, some of my favorite stores let me shop a mix of both higher end and budget-friendly pieces that can be worn so many different ways.
- Everlane
- Reformation
- Sezane
- Abercrombie
- Banana Republic / Banana Republic Factory
- J.Crew / J.Crew Factory
- ShopBop
- ThredUp