8 Men’s Smart Casual Outfits To Bookmark For Every Occasion
When it comes to dress codes, sometimes, the less formal the brief, the more confusing it can be to know what to wear. Men’s smart casual is a case in point.
Black tie and business formal are pretty straightforward – add a suit, plus the appropriate accoutrements like a tie and leather shoes, and you’re good to go. But smart casual is oxymoronic from the outset. Here to help dissolve any confusion, we outline exactly what the tricky dress code means and share the best smart casual menswear outfits to inspire you when you’re staring at your wardrobe feeling uninspired.
What Does Men’s Smart Casual Mean?
Smart casual is, well, exactly what it says on the tin – a more elevated version of your standard, everyday attire. The difficulty, however, comes in finding the happy middle point between both ends of the spectrum. Another, clearer, way to view the dress code is: Teaming your more formal, tailored (AKA ‘smart’) elements with relaxed, comfortable (‘casual’) pieces.
Some of the most recognisable examples of smart casual attire are styling a suit with a pair of trainers and a T-shirt, or, wearing a statement button-down shirt with wide-leg trousers and loafers. Trends aside, though, what it comes back to is seeking out quality fabrics in timeless designs.
Now, we could go on about the building blocks that make the perfect smart casual outfits. Or, we could simply show you, via some of Instagram’s most stylish men…
8 Men’s Smart Casual Outfits To Recreate
If you don’t already follow @monsieurcoupet, you really should. This account is a masterclass in injecting a whole lot of cool into the humble suit – whether he’s teaming a slouchy combo with a pair of Hermes slides, or swapping the blazer for a loosely draped sweater over the shoulders, he never puts a style foot wrong.
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For those who revelled in men’s Italian fashion taking centre stage this season, @giogiogioangiulio is a man after your own heart. This model/menswear consultant knows a thing or two about mix-and-match combinations, whether it’s Milan-inspired suiting or beach wear worthy of the Amalfi Coast.
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Whoever said you have to wear plenty of colour to be fashionable clearly doesn’t follow @marcforne. This content creator’s smart casual wardrobe usually consists of collared items, leather details and loose-fit trousers or shorts – which look a million bucks even when he wears all-black.
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Effortlessly cool, and occasionally preppy, outfits are @niklinio‘s forte. Follow this one for masterful layering inspiration – particularly valuable when creating autumn outfits – along with a solid case for investing in a knitted vest, should you find yourself still sitting on the fence.
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