Is “Smart Casual” Dead?

We’ve all been given the dress code ‘smart casual’ before. But what does this actually mean? It can be interpreted in many different ways based on your individual style.

It is one of the most commonly used dress codes in menswear, and somehow one of the least helpful! If you ask 5 people to attend a dinner party wearing ‘smart casual’, there is a good chance you might get 5 completely different vibes.

That is the problem with smart casual, it is a term that is thrown around endlessly, purely because it is an easy answer to ‘what should we wear?’.

At the same time, something very interesting has been happening in menswear recently. Men are becoming more interested in fashion, paying more attention to how they dress, and increasingly making an effort in their appearance.

What Does “Smart Casual” Actually Mean?

It depends on who you ask.

There is not a universal definition, some people may interpret smart casual as tailored trousers, a shirt and loafers. For another, it could mean jeans, a t-shirt and a pair of trainers.

This is why the phrase can be quite frustrating. When a dress code simply states ‘smart casual’, you’re often left worrying what other people are going to wear, before deciding what you are going to wear yourself.

The Rise and Fall of Casualwear

Over the years, fashion trends in menswear featured a lot more casualwear. It was becoming increasingly more popular to integrate jeans and trainers into everyday outfits, even to the office.

And why wouldn’t it? What’s not appealing about being comfortable in a good tracksuit and clothes that don’t require much thought.

But, more recently, we have started to see the style-pendulum swing back to formalwear.

Men Are Making More Effort

There is a growing interest in how men dress, and it’s not only about looking formal.

Men are paying more attention to fit, colour, shapes, brands and how individual pieces work together. They’re thinking about what to wear for dinner with friends, what they wear to the office, what to wear on a night out and how they present themselves everyday.

Tracksuits and comfy clothes are still a big part of everyday fashion. But alongside this, there is a growing trend for people not saving their best clothes for life’s biggest occasions, like weddings.

Perhaps people are choosing a tailored jacket instead of a hoodie to pop into town. A pair of well-fitted trousers instead of jeans for the office. A shirt instead of a t-shirt to go out with their friends to the bar.

When Looking Good Makes You Feel Good

There is also psychology behind dressing well and how it affects your productivity.

Farron Clark, recently hired by ASOS as their new Marketing Insider, has built a following around making yourself more presentable. She says:

“When you look good, you feel good. When you feel good, you are more productive. When you’re more productive, you’re more likely to go after the things you want.”

Social media has gone crazy for this quote, with many agreeing that dressing well makes their days more productive. And perhaps this is a big reason there has been a shift away from casualwear, people make more of an effort to dress well, not to impress others, but to make a difference to how they feel.

And that’s where tailoring comes in. Having a well-fitted, made-to-measure suit makes a great base for lots of outfit options, helping to create effortlessly smart looks.

What Comes After Smart Casual?

Intentional dressing.

We aren’t saying everyone should start wearing suits to grab their weekly food shop. But, we do encourage people to continue dressing with intention. It might mean pairing your suit jacket with a pair of jeans, or your suit trousers with a plain white t-shirt and belt.

Your tailored suit doesn’t have to be reserved for big occasions, it can simply be incorporated into your everyday wear.

You can book an appointment here to discuss options for your very own versatile, well-fitted suit.