Surely you have heard these two Anglo-Saxon words many times, but you don't know exactly what they mean. Today at Besocks we are going to explain what it consists of and give you the keys so you know how to dress smart casual.

What is the smart casual style?

As we mentioned at the beginning of the article, these two Anglo-Saxon words are very common nowadays. But exactly, what is the smart casual style and how can we implement it in our outfits? 

The smart casual style is a flexible option that blends formal with relaxed, achieving a balance between sophistication and comfort. Positioned between business dress codes and casual wear, it offers multiple combination possibilities, adapting to both work environments and social gatherings.

The key is to mix elegant pieces, such as blazers and classic footwear, with more casual elements, like chinos or jeans. Another key point in the smart casual style is the accessories, such as socks.

When was the style born business casual?

The business casual style emerged in the 1950s in the United States, but it became especially popular in the 1980s and 90s, when Silicon Valley tech companies began to relax traditional dress codes.

One of the major drivers of this movement was Levi's in 1992. The famous jeans brand launched the "Casual Fridays" campaign that promoted a more relaxed style for Fridays in offices.

Over time, this approach spread to other industries, establishing business casual as a common dress code in less strict work environments, breaking away from the prevailing corporatism.

What upper garments to wear in the smart casual style?

Now that you know what this popular trend is and where it comes from, it's time to put it into practice and dare to implement it in your outfits. So, let's see which are the essential garments to get started in this movement.

Some essentials for nailing the smart casual style are blazers or unstructured jackets, shirts, knit sweaters, cardigans, or polos for inner garments.

For outerwear, you can wear jackets with a more cropped cut like harringtons or formal bombers. If you are tall, you can also include longer trench coats or parkas to add a touch of formality to the outfit.

What lower garments are in the casual and smart casual style?

We already have a clear idea of the upper garments to make the smart casual style your own, and now it's time to talk about the lower garments that will take your outfit to the next level and make you more comfortable than ever.

Remember, the key to this style is to achieve a balance between formality and comfort, so chinos, dress pants, or straight-cut jeans will become your best allies to meet these two premises.

If you are going to choose more casual pants like jeans, make sure they are straight cut and in basic colors, such as indigo blue. Leave the distressed or more colorful jeans for your weekend outfits.

The sock: the key accessory of casual business casual

If you have reached this part of the article, you probably already know more keys to this trend than 99% of people. But to put the finishing touch on any outfit, the key is the small details, such as, for example, the accessories.

In formal outfits with a suit, there are more possibilities when using pocket squares and ties, but in the smart casual style, being a bit more informal, the range of accessories is mainly reduced to socks.

The matching options when mixing socks with a suit only require you to follow 3 rules; learn them by clicking this link. For the smart casual style, there is more flexibility when choosing sock prints and colors.

In the smart casual code style, socks with prints are allowed, such as the designs from Besocks' casual collection. If you still don't feel confident, choose simpler socks like those from the essentials or basics collection.

The 3 fundamental steps to not fail when dressing smart casual

To conclude this guide, we are going to recommend 3 tips that, combined with what was previously mentioned, will make it practically impossible for you to fail with your outfits and, above all, to find the style that makes you feel best.

Step 1: Find the perfect balance

Don't forget, the key to smart casual is combining comfortable garments without giving up elegance. The perfect balance when combining these two principles results in that effortless style, a style without effort.

Step 2: Choose garments with the right fit

It is useless to use the right combinations and garments if the fit is not correct. The garments you wear should be fitted enough to highlight your silhouette without losing an ounce of comfort.

Step 3: Play with details and accessories

The final step is what makes the difference between being well dressed and being very well dressed, and it is none other than the use of accessories like socks. They will give your outfit that discreet and original touch that will make you stand out above the rest wherever you go.

Now you know what the smart casual style consists of and you are ready to take action and be the center of attention at the office. Leave a tip you use and that works for you in the comments, and we'll add it to the article.

If you found this article interesting, you might also be interested in How to care for your socks so they last longer and What is the history of socks