Five smart casual party looks for men

The “smart casual” dress code can always throw questions marks because it is difficult to find that middle ground and not look too smart or too casual. If you’re still a bit perplexed as to what smart casual really means, then here are five looks to get you started:

Textured blazers

Blazers are a staple item in any wardrobe but, for the smart casual look, you need to get it right. Your standard silk or wool blend blazer from a suit just won’t do, as it will look too smart. You need a blazer that has a bit of colour in it like navy tweed with a white shirt or a khaki cotton blazer layered over a denim shirt. This will give you that playful but smart look and it’s practical too for the cooler evenings.

Smart shirts

You can’t go too far wrong with a good shirt and a pair of chinos as long as they both fit well. Pairing a slim fit black shirt with either a smart pair of jeans or some slim fit beige coloured chinos is a classic smart casual look that works every time. Just make sure your jeans or chinos are on the right side of skinny so that it doesn’t look too tight and you can be comfortable.

Booted up

A shoe that works well for most smart casual outfits is a simple Chelsea boot in either leather or suede. It’s versatile as it can be worn with skinny jeans tucked in the inside or on the outside and still make an outfit look smart. Chelsea boots are also great for nights out as the more beer you spill on them, the more authentic they will look, unlike a lot of shoes that don’t fair too well on nights out these days.

The classic T-shirt

If you’re in good shape and want everyone to know then a plain, high-quality material T-shirt can complete a smart casual outfit. Wear with jeans and boots or chinos if you’d prefer but as long as it’s clean, it’s thick and it’s ironed – you can’t go too wrong.

The perfect belt

If you get your belt wrong it can change the whole dynamic of your outfit. White belts for starters shouldn’t ever go out in public unless it’s fancy dress and the same goes for big branded buckles. A simple, fairly slim, natural coloured brown belt goes with most outfits, even black jeans!

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