If you’re here, you’re likely trying to figure out what on earth the phrase smart casual actually means when it comes to men’s dressware. You may assume it’s similar to business casual, but it’s actually much more nuanced. Not quite formal wear and not quite lazy-day attire, smart casual is a new niche that is becoming the standard dress code everywhere. But how can you implement it in your own wardrobe? What do you need to know? And what pieces do you need to invest in?

Whether you’re here to learn a new definition, or here to spice up your personal style, this guidebook is going to deep-dive smart casual dress for men so you can implement it in your own life with ease.

What Is Smart Casual Attire?

First things first  what exactly defines smart casual dress attire for men? If we want to get down to the basics, Cambridge Dictionary defines it as clothing that is “neat and stylish, but not too formal.” The common frustration with figuring out smart casual dress is navigating the fine line between neat and formal wear.

If you’re looking to dress smart casual, the best approach is to elevate casual pieces with neat, put-together pieces or pair formal wear with casual elements to tone it down. You’re going for something more put together than jeans and a t-shirt, but not so formal as a full-on suit and tie. Think, a pair of nice dark jeans with a collared shirt and blazer, no tie. That’s the essence of smart-casual wear.

While this kind of attire would have seemed out of place at work decades ago, smart casual is quickly becoming the norm for professional settings and events around the world today. Back in the day, people dressed formally to go nearly anywhere, especially for the workplace. There was a time when working in a busy office building meant committing to wearing a full suit and tie every day. But as our workplaces evolved, so have our dress codes, and now it’s entirely common to see your boss in a pair of jeans.