Define: Smart Casual

Solari · 5 Jan 2009 at 14:41

This seems to be a bit of a grey area, and I'm planning on going somewhere nice for an afternoon which states dress code is "Smart Casual". I can't believe you'd get away even with smart jeans.... but I always thought Smart, dark jeans and a collared shirt and shoes would qualify.

Can someone shed some light?

Yamahahahahaha · 5 Jan 2009 at 14:42

Some nice Jeans, button up shirt, brown belt, brown shoes, maybe a jacket if it's cold.

T-shirt / Trainers = no.

Ben M · 5 Jan 2009 at 14:42

what you said sounds about right.

it's a stupid, loose term anyway.

Solari · 5 Jan 2009 at 14:44

Ben M said:
what you said sounds about right.

it's a stupid, loose term anyway.

Yeah it's got me confused as it's a nice hotel and they really should be a bit more specific. I don't want the embarassment of turning up with a lass and being denied entry because I'm more "casual" than "smart" - at the same time I don't want to look over-dressed

Ciphon · 5 Jan 2009 at 14:44

Yamahahahahaha said:
Some nice Jeans, button up shirt, brown belt, brown shoes, maybe a jacket if it's cold.

Can be a black belt / shoes IMO.

Yamahahahahaha · 5 Jan 2009 at 14:45

Yes, so long as belt and shoes match it's fine. :]

Sankari · 5 Jan 2009 at 14:45

I'd wear chinos, not jeans. Definitely collared shirt, preferably longsleeved.

Viper² · 5 Jan 2009 at 14:45

I think it just means "don't wear a suit".

misterPK · 5 Jan 2009 at 14:45

Fresh clean undies.

PK!

Conscript · 5 Jan 2009 at 14:46

Some smart shoes (not trainers), smart dark jeans, and a nice shirt or jumper.

Basically, don't go looking like a scrote or like you're dressed for bumming around the house.

Sic · 5 Jan 2009 at 14:46

I take smart casual to mean polo shirt and things that go with it. I don't do wearing shoes, so you get trainers with smart casual with me!

Spike_UK · 5 Jan 2009 at 14:47

Sums it up for me...

Skidder · 5 Jan 2009 at 14:49

not jeans

open shirt, trousers (chinos, cords, moleskins etc.), long sleeve shirt (just cos unless you're at a bbq, or on or within a mile of the sea, you look a *** in a short sleaved one), leather shoes and belt

knitwear and or sportcoat or blazer optional

Skidder · 5 Jan 2009 at 14:50

Sic said:
I take smart casual to mean polo shirt and things that go with it. I don't do wearing shoes, so you get trainers with smart casual with me!

that's just casual

danielmp007 · 5 Jan 2009 at 14:51

Jeans (no rips), nice roll up sleeve shirt (no tie) or smart jumper and shoes (Smart trainers also acceptable).

*No baseball caps
*No tracksuit bottoms
*No knives

Ben643 · 5 Jan 2009 at 14:51

Yep, just go for a decent shirt, trousers and shoes. Can't go wrong with that surely?

Hxc · 5 Jan 2009 at 14:53

I'd say shirt jeans and nice shoes?

Skidder · 5 Jan 2009 at 14:53

jeans are so definitely not smart casual!

Ben M · 5 Jan 2009 at 14:56

Skidder said:
jeans are so definitely not smart casual!

I have a pair of black Hugo Boss jeans that are definately jeans, and are definitely the epitome of smart casual. Although they really are very smart for jeans, smarter, I think, than the "smart" jeans that've been mentioned in this thread.

Adsta · 5 Jan 2009 at 14:57

Smart Casual to me means

Smart Jeans or Trousers (just a plain jet black no stripes) and a long sleave button shirt.

Pref with belt and shoes.

Basically just avoid. T-Shirts, any thing with a slogan (which I think is obvious), Trainers and a full blown suit.