Comfort and practicality with a slight chic - this is how stylists characterize the modern smart casual style. This style has recently originated in Italy, but its popularity has already surpassed the classics and street casual. The modern style of casual wear has gradually undergone significant changes, leaning towards democratic loose clothing. Modern business people, avoiding strict classics or office bows, tend to choose practical and free clothes that allow them to feel maximum comfort during the day. But how to dress in the hustle and bustle of urban everyday life is not only comfortable, but also stylish, we will consider later in the article.

Style history

The phrase smart casual is translated from English as “smart casual style”. For the first time, this term was heard from the pages of the American press at the beginning of the 20th century, and since the mid-1950s, smart casual has already been popular among office and bank employees who preferred a democratic look in everyday life, and strict classic suits were reserved only for special occasions.

Today, smart casual has become even more informal and practical. Classic jackets for men and women's suits are now sewn from soft fabrics, the styles of trousers, skirts and dresses do not hinder movements and bring amazing comfort. At the same time, the clothes remain aesthetically attractive and restrained.

It is very important to strike a balance between formal and informal dress code in smart casual style.

The famous designer Giorgio Armani is recognized as the founder of the modern variation of smart casual style. It was he who was the first in his collections to present lightweight versions of classic suits, which at the same time did not look less presentable. The combination of a comfortable turtleneck and a practical suit has become universal and a favorite among many fans of comfortable fashion.

Principles of smart casual style

Dynamically developing and enjoying incredible popularity among both men and women, casual has certain principles, the knowledge of which will help to correctly and harmoniously compose a certain dress code for every day:

1. Natural fabrics with moderate elasticity. When choosing clothes, pay attention to fabrics. Moderately soft and elastic materials help maintain the shape of clothing, do not wrinkle and look luxurious (cotton, thick knitwear, wool, tweed). The combination of beautiful fabric and elegant cut allows you to feel free and stylish in everyday life in such clothes.
2. Current color palette. Smart casual for women uses basic colors, including all shades of pastel and nude, gray, blue, purple, green, brown. For an accent, you can combine clothes in muted red or burgundy. As a print, classic colors are used - stripes, cages, houndstooth, geometric patterns.
3. For everyday use, you should use the formula for combining basic things:

• wide trousers and loose blouses;
• plain dresses of a simple cut, decorated with accessories;
• business suit made of soft comfortable fabrics;
• midi skirts with a loose silhouette top;
• jeans and cashmere pullover;
• the fashionable basic jacket now is not a semi-fitted silhouette, but a loose fit.

A properly selected basic wardrobe allows you to create many comfortable looks, which also fit perfectly on the figure, emphasizing all its advantages.

Actual colors and style prints

In the direction of casual, a classic palette of neutral colors and shades is clearly visible, which are incredibly stylish and harmoniously combined with each other.

Basic colors include white, black, gray and brown. It is clothing in such halftones that should occupy a dominant place in the image. As additional elements, clothes of pastel and nude shades are used, in addition, accessories of green, turquoise, and blue colors are added. Very stylish is the image, selected in one color scheme in mixed halftones, for example, complex combinations of blue and green and their transitional shades.

Smart casual dress code does not allow bright and acid colors. To focus on a particular detail of the wardrobe, designers use white, black or red.

The print of materials is also important. It is allowed to use a cage, peas, stripes and geometric patterns as basic ones. Complex ornaments and bright floral prints are not used in smart casual style. As an exception, with the right combination, you can combine plain items with animal print accessories. Shoes, a belt or a scarf, painted in snakeskin, will be a stylish addition to a gray or black trouser suit, thereby giving the image the missing elegance.

Shoes and accessories

Fashionable and popular smart casual style is hard to imagine without original and elegant accessories. The main decoration of the image, as a rule, is considered to be the right shoes. As basic options, pumps are most often used with both low (kitten heel) and high heels, neat moccasins with thick soles, oxfords and loafers in various variations. Girls do not use sports shoes in smart casual style, but sneakers or sneakers will not be superfluous for the men's wardrobe.

Smart casual shoes are so diverse that it makes no sense to talk about any specific selection rules. The heel can be either high or medium. The same applies to the width of the heel - both a thin stud and a wide massive heel will come in handy for creating an elegant look. The only thing to consider is comfort. If a girl feels free and comfortable on a stiletto heel, then such shoes have the right to remain in a smart casual wardrobe.

Comfortable and practical shoes, as a rule, are sewn from natural soft leather or suede, textiles. Pay attention to the absence of bulky decor in the form of chains, spikes and other metal objects. However, it is allowed to use patent leather inserts or lacing to decorate women's shoes.

Other elements that can be combined with a smart casual wardrobe:

• Various types of shawls and scarves. Mostly used are shawls of muted pastel shades - beige, sand-cream, light coffee.
• Hats and gloves - gray and brown undertones look the most stylish.
• Bags for everyday style are selected without bulky decor - voluminous and massive or medium in size.
• As decorations, use jewelry in small sizes in a minimalist style. Classic jewelry made of gold and pearls will perfectly complement your smart casual look.

The dress code in smart casual style was created, first of all, so that office workers can feel comfortable during the working day. But at the same time, their appearance should correspond to the position they hold and the office environment. The appearance of employees should indicate a relaxed, and at the same time strict attitude towards their own appearance.

Elegant smart casual for women contributes to the fact that office workers feel free in any weather. After all, their clothes are pleasant to the touch, and fashionable styles do not hinder movement and do not bring discomfort.

However, stylists warn that the apparent simplicity of casual style can be deceiving. It is very easy to simplify your wardrobe as much as possible and thus look ridiculous or awkward in an office setting. Or vice versa, ignore the rules regarding minimalist decor and choose an image that sparkles with excessive glamor. Nevertheless, notes of conservatism in moderation should be present in the daily bow.

If you decide to create your own basic smart casual wardrobe, we recommend using the basic recommendations from world-famous stylists and designers.

For tops, wardrobe items such as short and long sleeve blouses and shirts, cashmere turtlenecks and jumpers, loose jackets, comfortable and practical tops and t-shirts (if your work permits) are suitable. Change, finally, a tight classic jacket to a looser one made of soft fabrics. At the moment, women's suits are at the peak of popularity, pay attention to the new cut and models.

Regarding trousers, one rule is important - they must have a perfect fit and sit well on the figure.

Smart casual shoes are plain leather pumps, loafers, neat ankle boots, discreet moccasins. Choose a heel of such a size that you feel comfortable throughout the day.

Elegant everyday life is a universal and favorite style of most modern girls. Intense glamor, and with it an abundance of rhinestones and stones, are long gone.

Comfort, chic, relevance - all this is about smart casual style. Quite young, but already insanely popular, the style born in Italy gradually conquered the whole world. It expresses the desire for freedom and spontaneity. This style is the style of stylish workaholics who prefer to wear not a formal suit, but knitted T-shirts with jeans.

What it is

Not so long ago, in the business sphere, there were certain (not always written) rules regarding work clothes: men had to wear a suit and tie (such a bow was mandatory), and women had to wear a jacket with a skirt and certainly pantyhose or trouser suit. The modern business world has gone through metamorphoses, becoming a little freer. Now office workers are allowed to wear jeans, which two hundred years ago were not approved at all, men have replaced the tie with a polo shirt or a regular T-shirt. It has also become easier for women to select an ensemble for work.

Nevertheless, there are still many nuances in the office dress code that smart casual has successfully overcome, representing a rescue formula: for example, a T-shirt is more suitable for office employees than an annoying blouse. But the T-shirt must be exceptional - perfect cut and the highest quality, which goes well with other elements of the bow.

Jeans are also approved by Smart Casual, but they should be in navy blue or classic black, well-cut in a duet with elegant shoes, for example, ballet flats or high heels. But the image presented by blue ripped jeans in combination with sneakers will be absolutely inappropriate for the office.

Smart Casual is mostly muted colors: gray, black, navy blue, white, brown. Color accents can be done with a juicy scarf or necklace. Simply put, smart casual is a lightweight version of the official toilet.

In the lives of women

Perhaps, smart casual is the most popular office wardrobe model at the moment. This style implies a relaxed and strict attitude to one's own appearance.

However, despite its apparent simplicity, a smart casual dress code is not a reason for employees in the workplace to wear flip-flops or sandals with pebbles or other decor. Diving fabric clothes, suede, leather outfits, as well as festive decorations are taboo on weekdays.

The dress can be worn in a duet with a jacket, and the skirt should not be shorter than seven centimeters at the knee level. At least five, maximum seven centimeters - this phrase, like a mantra, must be memorized by office employees before buying shoes. The hairpin must remain under arrest until the weekend.

Smart casual style favors monotonous or geometric patterned silk blouses and white shirts. One accessory, for example, pearl beads, will suit them.

Sun, snow, rain outside the window - it doesn't matter, tights are a mandatory attribute of a casual style ensemble. Although smart casual is translated as “everyday”, in the business sphere it is more in tune with “balanced, elegant”. All selected things should not hamper movements, but at the same time be appropriate in the workplace. The essence of elegance is also simple - all elements of the dress code should sit harmoniously on their owner.

Despite the imaginary simplicity, the direction of smart casual is quite dangerous. There are no specific rules and regulations in it, but this is what can confuse. The uninformed may look ridiculous by choosing the wrong elements of the outfit. Smart casual offers to dress simply, without pathos, in classic style, but combined with original and bright accessories.

If the girl's skirt matches the jacket and the chosen jewelry, the fashionista will always be in the spotlight. A certain conservatism in the style of smart casual clothing is inevitable, but in the modern business look of a woman, it is even welcomed to some extent. Suits can be worn, but only in this case, the women's jacket must be completely unbuttoned.

Colors and prints

A classic palette of neutral colors is the go-to for smart casual. These are black and white, gray and brown and their shades. In the production of T-shirts, shirts in this direction, designers use pastel color variations. In addition, shades of green, red, turquoise are added and other complex combinations of colors are used, for example, blue and green.

Bright, neon colors this style does not allow. In the same way as busting in patterns. You can choose clothes in a cage or stripes, but not both in one piece of clothing. Variants of simple geometric prints, uncomplicated ornaments of plants are possible. Polka dots, floral designs can be used to create images, but such things should not be too catchy.

Accessories and shoes

The Smart Casual direction allows you to freely use accessories. You can wear scarves, ties, scarves around your neck, and gloves and hats will also complement the image well. Smart casual bags are accessories of muted colors, with clear shapes and a minimum of decor.

The phrase smart casual, the translation of which literally means "elegant everyday life", is used quite often. Women and men in such clothes look restrained, but not too strict.

Smart casual dress code for women

We can safely say that smart casual style suits many people. Conventionally, smart casual style for women can be divided into two types - everyday and business casual (business casual). The first includes things in brighter colors and a free style, while the second consists of clothes in pastel colors and a restrained cut.

In everyday life, smart casual allows you to wear jeans of any color and style (torn, skinny), as well as dresses and skirts of a shorter length than office models. Stylists recommend that girls give preference to a sheath dress just above the knee, and complement it with all sorts of accessories in brighter colors, for example, a scarf and a bag.

But an excellent option for embodying a business casual style for women (photo) would be a three-quarter sleeve jacket worn over a light blouse in combination with a straight skirt or cropped trousers.

Dress code smart casual: what is it?

Today, many companies allow employees to dress smart casual, thereby creating a new dress code.

Smart casual is a bit looser than business casual, but still it has its own basic requirements.

Its main features:

• The smart casual style for men allows you to abandon a tie and even unbutton a few buttons on your shirt, which makes it possible for the stronger sex to feel more free and comfortable.
• According to the smart casual dress code, women can wear jeans, but they need to be combined with chiffon blouses and cashmere sweaters, which can be complemented with an elegant scarf tied around the neck.
• It is permissible to pump up the sleeves of shirts to the elbow and use discreet accessories in the form of jewelry.
• As shoes, you can choose moccasins that fit into the color scheme of the whole image as a whole.

As you can see, these simple rules turn smart casual into a comfortable and fun style. Now everyone can dress to fit the office and still look attractive.