How to nail menswear’s most confusing dress code
You can’t escape the smart casual dress code; it appears everywhere, from weddings to work to dinner parties, which is why it can get a bad rap for being confusing. Yet, done right, smart casual outfits look refined and timeless. Plus, they have the added bonus that you never feel under- or over-dressed.
What is smart casual for men?
It can be easier to define what smart casual is not – which is gym gear, distressed denim, or a full suit. Traditionally, smart dressing means tailoring, while casual means athleisure, such as hoodies. Smart casual aims to blend the two together to create outfits that feel put-together but not stuffy, considered yet comfortable. Follow these style tips and you’ll never put a foot wrong.
Tip 1: Context is everything
Your smart casual outfit choice will be defined by the occasion in question; you wouldn’t show up to a smart casual wedding in trainers, nor would you wear a blazer to a football match.
Tip 2: If in doubt, go smart
Always aim for the smarter end of the spectrum. Layers mean that you can instantly look more casual – a blazer can always be removed, or a shirt unbuttoned.
Smart casual for office
Key smart casual components
Tops
The Oxford shirt is an essential part of smart casual dressing; wear it buttoned up for a wedding or left untucked over a tee with jeans for the weekend. T-shirts should be logo-free and premium to ensure a great fit. For a smarter take on a tee, invest in a textured polo shirt.
Trousers
Utility-inspired chinos are the classic fail-safe for this dress code. If you opt for denim make it dark wash, with a cut that’s somewhere between loose and slim. Or embrace 2026’s love affair with brown jeans, which can be easily styled with your current rotation of basics.
NN.07 Aden 1923 Chinos, Capers
£150.00£105.00
Ralph Lauren Chester Trousers
£155.00£93.00
Clever layering
The right knit or overshirt has the ability to change the definition of your outfit. Add a zip-through cardigan to tailored trousers to give an office look some edge, or throw a thick overshirt over a T-shirt and jeans for relaxed dinner dressing.
Accessories
Smart casual is all about maintaining a balance between comfort and formality. Accessories come into their own as a way to inject personal style or nod to an occasion – for example, placing a pocket square in a blazer when going to a wedding.
