Where does smart casual begin?
Smart casual begins where the business outfit ends — and not by mixing the two. Where business wear relies on the suit in classic fabrics and muted colours, smart casual calls for less formal cloths and rather more freedom with colour. Discover here how to get smart casual right in practice.
Smart casual is not the “anything goes” zone
We also distinguish between formal smart casual and less formal smart casual. I know — it already sounds complicated and is genuinely confusing, and it truly is. That is why so many men look lost the moment they set aside their business outfit.
Through my work over the decades with many gentlemen, I have observed time and again that men who are impeccably dressed during the week look utterly lost at the weekend. On Friday it is the bespoke suit of the finest wool; on Saturday, jeans and a jumper under a walking waterproof. Yet if you meet those same men out hiking, you will find them decked out in the most modern high-tech gear — from waterproof to breathable with membrane technology.
A man wants, after all, to be modern and up to date. Sadly, too little value is placed on the wardrobe in between — that is to say, smart casual. It has always been a kind of escape zone. A man thinks it is the “anything goes” zone. But it is not! If we want smart casual to be worn in polite company, we should approach it with rather more attention and seriousness.
Smart casual in practice
In this article we shall devote ourselves to the formal side of smart casual. No, this is not a contradiction between formal attire and formal casual. The distinctions are clear, and mastering them is part of being a gentleman. There truly is a fine line between the business outfit and formal smart casual. Simply omitting the tie will not do the trick. That is not casual — it is merely the beginning of a decline in style.
Where and when may I dress smart casual? Of course, it depends on profession and situation. Every man must judge for himself and adapt naturally to his professional surroundings. A little tip: the lawyer, the entrepreneur, the IT engineer and the architect have somewhat more freedom than the banker or the financial adviser.
What is formal smart casual?
This section is devoted to those gentlemen with a great love of elegance and a passion for the suit, who nevertheless wish to be casual from time to time. Here the choice of fabric opens up great possibilities and ideas. Every season has its perfect cloth for the casual suit.
In summer it is always fitting to wear a cotton suit — familiar in light shades such as beige and subtle greens. Sadly, one sees fewer and fewer men in cotton suits, even though they wear beautifully and are very suitable for business. Nowadays cotton fabrics are available in muted colours as well, so that the suit can be used in a variety of ways. Add the right shirt in a matching colour and a tie will not go amiss. A man is thus far more stylishly dressed than in a dark suit without a tie. The latter, unfortunately, gives a rather awkward impression.
We must not overlook the linen suit either. Yes, it creases — and it is meant to. A man must love that, or he simply will not. It remains, nonetheless, an elegant form of smart casual and worn properly it shows real class. For this, you will want proper advice.
And what does a man do in winter when, as a lover of the suit, he wishes to be casual? We all know corduroy fabrics — but have you ever considered a corduroy suit? Why not? There are so many varieties in corduroy that there is something for every man. From fine, lightweight cord to heavy and classically British. Perfect, too, for combining with lightly patterned shirts and ties, or with a fine jumper.
You see: one has to open up to it and discover the possibilities. Unfortunately, this is not possible when a man begins his adventure at a clothing shop and wishes to invest only thirty minutes of his lunch break. Besides, the shops only stock the classics anyway, for they too are not prepared for adventure these days.
A small tip — and shameless self-promotion: only the bespoke tailor has the right selection and the time to devote to you.
In the next article in this series we shall look at the mix and at informal smart casual.
Further reading
Learn here what summer fashion has to do with climate change