In today’s fashion, clothing styles often blend together. While differences between business wear and casual wear are familiar to most people, it is hybrids such as business casual vs smart casual that often leave people confused.
What is business casual? What is smart casual? Where does one end and the other one begin? Let’s discuss the differences when it comes to business casual vs smart casual.
Business Casual can be best described as less formal business wear, with smart casual being a less formal extension of business casual. The section below breaks down the various elements and describes what makes the casual look business or smart:
Business Casual
Business casual can be best described as relaxed formalwear. A man going for a business casual look will aim to combine a jacket with dark jeans or smart chinos. One should wear a shirt underneath the jacket, as we’re aiming to still appear sharp and elegant.
Business Casual Colours
As for the colours, the jacket should be subtle, with colours such as navy, grey, dark brown, sage. The pants should compliment the jacket, muted contrasting colours would work best (ie Dark green jacket/grey trousers; Brown jacket/dark blue trousers. A general rule of thumb for business casual is to avoid loud and bright colours such as yellow or red.
Business Casual Accessories
Don’t wear a tie with business casual – the aim of this style is to appear more casual, and a tie should be saved for a business suit. You can wear a belt, choose the one that matches the shade of your trousers. As for shoes - wear leather.
Last but not least, don’t accessorize heavily. Wristbands, sunglasses, and pocket squares should be used strategically, and not all at the same time.
Occasion - When do I Wear Business Casual?
Wear business casual for your casual Fridays in the office or for a semi-formal meeting outside of the office. Ladies love a business casual look for a date!
Smart Casual
Smart casual is a less formal extension to business casual. While business casual is great for the office and meetings, smart casual is for everything outside of work. Unless you work in a very informal environment. Then smart casual might be your go to for the office.
You can wear a plain, toned-down t-shirt under a jacket for smart casual look, any t-shirt that has a print of some sort is more of a casual look, not smart casual. If you wear a t-shirt without a jacket, it is more of a casual look.
If you opt for a shirt, you can add colour, or choose checked. Compliment it with a blazer or a pull over.
As for trousers, like with shirts you can wear more colour than in business casual. Jeans, smart chinos. Ripped jeans and shorts are a casual look, not smart casual.
Smart Casual Colours
You can wear lighter and brighter colours in smart casual than business casual - just don’t over do it. Aim to keep only 3 colours max in your overall look. Don’t wear more than 1 bright colour within the 3, if you don’t want to look like a peacock.
Smart Casual Accessories
A pair of sunglasses, wristband, colourful pocket square will add an informal feel to it. Also, you can wear a belt that contrasts the pants, but remember the three-color advice mentioned above. When it comes to shoes, you can wear leather or suede shoes, no trainers please.
Occasion - When do I Wear Smart Casual?
A smart casual outfit can be used for any kind of event that is outside of the office but still requires class and elegance. Weddings, cocktail parties etc, but also date nights are a perfect occasion to sport a smart blazer.
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