Dressing well isn’t just about looking good–it makes you feel good too. The best part of casual wear for men and smart casual style is the confidence boost you get from knowing you look incredible!
Studies show that dressing well and feeling confident can even help you perform better. That means that showing up to the office in your most polished smart casual look, incorporating casual men's outfits, can help you do your best work yet.
As a hard-working man, we know that you care about looking good, feeling good, and working well. That’s why we’re providing you with all of our men’s smart casual fashion tips.
What Exactly is Smart Casual Style?
Before we share our best men’s smart casual outfits, let’s first define exactly what a smart casual dress code means. It sounds a bit ambiguous, doesn’t it? The concept of smart casual style is, indeed, a little vague–but that just means there’s lots of flexibility involved!
Overall, the smart casual style combines more formal business wear with casual dress codes; casual pieces such as chinos, jeans, and t-shirts dress down the more formal pieces like blazer jackets and ties, and vice versa. You can think of smart casual style as one step below business casual. Here are a few instances in which it may be appropriate to go for a smart casual look:
- At the office
- On a date
- A night out
- A dinner party
At the end of the day, a smart casual look will have you feeling confident enough to walk into virtually any room and know you look polished and put-together without seeming too dressed up.
Smart Casual Style Staples
The key to putting together endless smart casual outfits throughout the week is to have a robust selection of men’s smart casual fashion staples to choose from. Often these pieces can be interchangeable with what you wear on business casual days.
When you have a solid foundation, you’ll be able to mix and match polished pieces to create smart casual outfits that will have you looking and feeling incredible in any situation.
Classic Cotton T-Shirts
Classic cotton t-shirts, like Perk Clothing’s 100% Pima cotton Feel Good T-shirts, are an essential piece of clothing for any man’s wardrobe–especially when it comes to smart casual dress codes.
Pair a casual white t-shirt with a more formal blazer, a simple chain necklace, and a pair of your most polished shoes, and you’ve got yourself one of the most classic men’s smart casual outfits in the book.
T-shirts are also fantastic layering pieces; throw a sweater over Perk’s Feel Good T-Shirt for a smart casual look that’s perfect for the cooler months. Looking for more outfit ideas to elevate a classic cotton t-shirt? Check out our blog filled with the best ways to style our t-shirts!
Plus, you can pick up a Feel Good Polo for a bonafide smart casual option.
Quality Slim-Fit Chino Pants
The right pair of trousers is essential to men’s smart casual fashion. When you opt for a casual t-shirt along with a blazer to balance it out with a formal element, the best way to bring the outfit together is with pants that are the perfect middle ground.
Enter Perk Clothing’s Feel Good Slim-Fit Chino Pants! They’re a step above a simple pair of jeans, but they’re casual enough to fit into any smart casual dress code situation and versatile enough, too!
One of the best things about Perk’s slim-fit chino pants is that they provide a perfect fit, with tapered legs that are slim but not too tight. And, if you need some warm-weather men’s casual fashion pieces, be sure to check out our Feel Good Shorts!
Long-Sleeve T-Shirts
When you want to create a layered smart casual look that will keep you warm, rather than a dress shirt, go for a long-sleeve t-shirt like Perk Clothing’s long-sleeve Low Key Henley are the perfect way to go.
Long-sleeve henley t-shirts provide a perfect mix of comfort, style, and quality. Layer them under your favorite knit sweater and pair them with dark chinos for a look that exudes effortless, comfortable smart casual style!
The Right Shoes
Casual clothing style for men leaves room for variation when it comes to the choice you pair with your outfits. From leather loafers to crisp white sneakers to Chelsea boots, the options are practically endless for your next smart casual dress code.
What matters when it comes to choosing a pair of smart casual shoes is that they’re both practical and polished. Remember, the whole point of smart casual style is to look put-together, sharp, and confident, so a pair of shoes that reflects that is essential.
Accessories
The right accessories can go a long way when it comes to elevating men’s smart casual fashion!
Add a leather belt to your pair of slim-fit chinos, opt for a simple chain necklace to incorporate some low-key bling, or show off your favorite watch just beneath the sleeve of your blazer. Confidence is key, so accessorize in a way that makes you feel great about yourself!
Smart-Casual Style Tips
Now that we’ve covered the staples, here are a few essential tips to keep in mind as you master smart casual style:
Prioritize “smart” over “casual”
When choosing between a more dressed-up look and a more casual one, always go with the dressed-up one! This will ensure you never look underdressed, which will be a bigger pitfall than looking slightly overdressed. Plus, you’ll feel your most confident knowing you’re the best-dressed person in the room!
Switch up silhouettes and textures
Men’s smart casual outfits are all about elevating casual pieces of clothing and dressing down more formal pieces. Mastering a balance between the two is a huge component of building a smart casual look. Experiment with different textures and silhouettes to keep things interesting. For example, you may want to opt for a slightly oversized blazer to bring a more casual element to a classic, formal look.
Prioritize the quality and fit of your clothes
One of the most important parts of looking and feeling great is wearing clothes that fit! For example, an ill-fitting pair of trousers can ruin what would otherwise be a great smart casual look.
The same goes for the quality of your clothes. If you’re wearing a ratty old t-shirt, the nicest blazer in the world won’t be able to mend the damage that it causes to your overall style.
At Perk, we prioritize quality and fit, offering flattering t-shirts and chinos that are sure to have you looking fantastic and feeling confident.
Don't sweat the details!
When it comes to smart casual style, looking polished and put-together is a top priority. Even the best outfits will suffer if you don’t keep an eye on the smaller details that pull it all together. Make sure your pants are ironed, your shoes are polished, and your tie is knotted properly! The minor details will make a big difference and show that you know your stuff. You want to look stylish, presentable, and confident when the situation calls for a smart casual dress code.
Are Jeans OK for Smart Casual?
Yes, jeans can be part of smart casual attire, but they need to be the right pair. Opt for dark-wash jeans with no rips or fading for a polished look. Pair them with one of your favorite blazers or a crisp button-down shirt for a sharp yet casual vibe. Avoid baggy or overly distressed jeans, as they can make your outfit look too casual. Well-fitted, dark jeans are a reliable choice when you need to dress smart casual.
Can I Wear Sneakers for Smart Casual?
Yes, sneakers can be worn as part of a smart casual outfit, but make sure they’re clean and sleek. Stick to leather or minimalist white sneakers for a more polished look. Pair them with chinos or dark jeans and a blazer to keep the balance between casual and smart. Avoid athletic sneakers, as they lean too far into casual territory and may undermine your overall style. The goal is to combine comfort and style when you dress smart casual.
Turn to Perk Clothing for All of Your Smart Casual Staples
Looking for the best pair of slim-fit chino pants, a perfect curved hem t-shirt, or a comfy long-sleeve henley? Perk has you covered every step of the way as you build a wardrobe filled with smart casual style!
We offer a range of men’s high-quality t-shirts and slim-fit chinos that will have you entering every situation knowing that you’re the best-dressed man in the room. When in doubt, these staples provide everything you need to exude the right style and confidence to master men’s casual fashion.
