How to Nail The Smart Casual Look
Style Guide
By: Olof Enckell, Head of Assortment at Eton • 4 minSmart Casual
Sophisticated sans formality. Relaxed and comfortable, yet with style. Discover our guide on how to nail the Smart Casual look with Eton’s latest Archive Collection.
Upon initial consideration, ‘smart’ and ‘casual’ may seem contradictary. This dress code emerged from a desire to move away from the structured formality of conventional business wear, seeking an equilibrium—a sartorial balance that retains elegance without rigidity. Unlike other dress codes that have a clear framework that dictate a specific combination of garments, colors, and styles, the smart casual dress code offers a wide spectrum of stylistic possibilities. In the modern quest for work-life harmony, our sartorial selections are constantly evolving and adapting within professional environments, presenting an opportunity for individuality and personal style to take the spotlight. For some, this liberty is welcomed with open arms, while others find the lack of clear guidelines daunting. As you work on curating your own smart casual look, let us walk you through a few essential considerations that should support you with your ensemble choices.
Maintain Balance in Your Mix-and-Match
As a general guideline, always strive for a balance between smart and casual elements. If you opt for clean sneakers, elevate them with something more sophisticated, such as a softly tailored sport coat or a stylish overshirt. Or if you’re leaning towards an elegant pair of leather loafers or lace-ups, offset the formality with the relaxed texture of fine knitwear. This approach demands versatile shirt options.
Patterns & Textures
While many other dress codes often limit room for mixing patterns and textures, smart casual dressing embraces endless possibilities. However, keeping the smart-casual balance in mind, a good rule of thumb is that finer patterns tend to be more versatile in pairing. Alternatively, consider a monochrome palette, where different types of texture combinations can create an understated yet sophisticated look.
Fit & Silhouette
In contrast to the prescriptive nature of business formal and business casual dress codes, which typically require a suit or classic sport coat as foundational pieces, smart casual style affords you the liberty to decide if a tailored garment should be featured in your ensemble. Should you opt for the sport coat or blazer, it is recommended to go for a softer and perhaps unlined option that balances the outfit’s more relaxed elements. In general, in order to nail the smart casual look, it’s important to find a fit that makes you feel comfortable, it should be neither constrictive nor baggy.
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