Casual and smart casual are two dress codes that often cause confusion. Casual wear refers to the clothing worn in everyday life, while smart casual may include some items worn for casual wear, but overall creates a smart and chic appearance. The main difference between casual and smart casual is that casual wear is only appropriate for informal occasions, whereas smart casual can be worn for both informal and formal occasions.
Key Takeaways
- Smart casual attire looks smart, neat, and slick, and is neither too casual nor formal.
- Casual wear is comfortable, easy, and affordable, prioritizing comfort over style.
- Smart casual can be worn for business meetings, casual outings, romantic dates, parties, and weddings, while casual wear is only suitable for informal occasions and should not be worn for work or formal events.
What is Smart Casual?
There is no universally accepted definition for smart casual dress code, as various fashion experts and houses have different opinions on what constitutes a smart casual ensemble. However, it is generally agreed that smart casual attire looks smart, neat, and slick, and is neither too casual nor formal.
Smart casual clothing can be worn for various occasions such as business meetings, casual outings, romantic dates, parties, and weddings. This style is versatile because it combines different elements from various dress codes. For example, denims (typically with a darker wash and no tears) can be paired with a dressy shirt or top and a blazer to achieve a perfect smart casual style. Dress pants, dress shirts, skirts, mid-length dresses, tailored sweaters, ties, vests, blazers, shoes, etc. are typically worn for smart casual wear. Women can also enhance their smart and chic look by using matching jewelry and purses.
The main aim of this style is to look chic and smart. When preparing for a smart casual event, ensure that your clothes are clean and neat and your shoes are freshly polished.
What is Casual?
Casual wear is what we wear in our everyday lives. Casual wear prioritizes comfort, ease, and affordability. The clothes we wear for grocery shopping, manual labor, trips, and other casual outings can be categorized as casual wear. This type of clothing should not be worn for parties, weddings, or other formal or ceremonial events, and should not be worn for work.
Items such as t-shirts, denims, khakis, jackets, hoodies, mini-skirts, summer dresses, loafers, sneakers, and sandals are considered casual wear. Clothes such as faded denims with rips and tears, belly shirts, and tank tops are only worn as casual wear.
These clothes are typically made of materials such as cotton, denim, jersey, flannel, and polyester. Expensive and elegant materials such as satin, silk, chiffon, brocade, and velvet are not usually used to make casual wear. Sportswear is also classified as casual wear.
What is the difference between Casual and Smart Casual?
Casual vs Smart Casual
Casual is everyday wear, while smart casual is neat, conventional, and relatively informal in style.
Occasions
Casual wear is appropriate for grocery shopping, manual labor, trips, and other casual outings, while smart casual wear can be worn for business meetings, casual outings, romantic dates, parties, and weddings.
Clothing
T-shirts, denims, khakis, jackets, hoodies, mini-skirts, summer dresses, etc. are casual wear, while dress pants, dress shirts, skirts, mid-length dresses, tailored sweaters, ties, vests, blazers, etc. are smart casual wear.
Dresses
Casual wear dresses can be of any length, while smart casual dresses are typically mid-length.
Shoes
Loafers, sneakers, flip-flops, and sandals are worn for casual wear, while closed shoes, mid to low heels, or ballerina flats are worn for smart casual; men wear socks with shoes.
Appearance
Casual gives a relaxed, comfortable, but sometimes untidy look, while smart casual provides a chic, smart, and neat appearance.
