Nowadays, a huge number of companies and organizations are rejecting the strict formal attire code and preferring a more lenient smart casual dress code. The perspective of people towards clothing is changing and organizations are starting to support this change. But the ‘Smart Casual’ term sounds slightly confusing, even though it seems simple from the outlook that finally you have a defined dress code, but what exactly does ‘Smart Casual’ mean? What kind of pieces does it consist of? Well, the answer is easy. All you have to do is a mix of casual and classic goods. Along with these tips, you will know what to wear and what not to wear in your workplace.
Do’s
Think Creatively
Never be hesitant in being smart and creative to make full use of your fashion items. Maybe a stylish mixture of a button-down casual shirt and formal pants on white sneakers is a great way to dress up for work. Wearing shorts and summer dresses is cool, but too casual for a business setting while wearing a whole suit is still very formal, so why not something in between?
Mix & Match
In case you don’t have time for shopping, you can create a whole new outfit right from your existing wardrobe. If you take a look inside your dressing room, you’ll find a lot of neglected pieces of clothes that haven’t been worn in ages. A mock neck on jeans and a blazer can be extremely chic, worn with high square heels is a plus. Tweed blazers are also one of the biggest men and women’s fashion styles, especially during the winter season.
Throw Some Dark Shades
Dark shades are always the best option if you decided to go casual smart. For instance, imagine if you wore a blue jacket with stone washed jeans and white trainers. Now replace blue with dark navy and stonewashed jeans with indigo one. The same items, but the overall effect are completely unique. This will definitely transform the whole outfit into a dressier one.
Don’ts
Just Forget About the Tie
Traditionally, smart attires for men should include a red bow tie or a normal tie. But with smart casual attire, it’s not the same anymore. You can just ditch your tie and undo the first two buttons of your collar and shirt, and that’s it. Voila!
Don’t Be Too Sporty
Sportswear has invaded the fashion industry from all sides, however that doesn’t mean that it’s the best option for dressing casually at work. It’s true that white smart trainers can fit with most opportunities, not to mention how comfortable they are, but other sportswear such as hoodies, sweatpants, and running shoes are a big no. It’s better if you keep everything in its right place and occasion.
Finding the Right Color for Your Skin for Casual Clothing
Combining color into your wardrobe can initially seem overwhelming and almost impossible, but it’s pretty easy. Before you hit the road for a mix and match of colors, identifying which colors best accentuate your specific skin tone can help you stand out in a crowd, particularly in your office. Here are some tips for finding the right colors for you:
1. Identify your skin tone
Skin tone is the surface skin color. Individual skin tone covers an extensive range of shades, but there are only two basic types of tone: warm and cool. Warmer complexions have a yellow undertone, while cooler complexions have a pink undertone. Your skin may lighten or darken depending on the degree of tanning (whether a targeted tan or a seasonal tan), but your skin tone will remain constant. Other skin professionals identify skin tones into four: light, fair, medium, and deep (dark).
2. Identify your contrast
If you have pale and fair skin, a shade contrasting sharply with your skin tone will add color to your complexion. Dark colors like grays, browns, burgundy, bottle greens, navy blues, and bold blues all work well because they strongly contrast your skin tone. People with cool undertones generally look good in colors in the cool part of the spectrum. Think purple, green, anthracite, and deep blue. People with cool tones on their skin should avoid soft pastels and bright colors. The same applies to neutrals. Instead of white, light beige, and stone, opt for stronger tones like sand, camel, khaki, and slate grey.
3. Identify universal colors
Some shades have just the right balance of warm and cool tones. These colors suit everyone regardless of skin tone. Knowing these colors can be especially helpful when you’re looking for something to wear in a pinch or need to accessorize your casual look.
Overall Appearance
It’s not acceptable to wear your old wide-neck T-shirts, sweatpants, ripped jeans, or sandals when you know that the dress code is business or smart casual. Just leave your comfy lounge clothes at home and remember that your outfit should be clean, neat, pressed, and fit.
In different companies, cultures, and industries, business casual can mean something different. Your outfit should always be professional and tidy, even on casual Fridays. Keeping a consistent impression about yourself, no matter what type of business you’re working in, helps to maintain a professional environment between you and your colleagues.