You’ve probably heard the term “smart casual” thrown around when it comes to fashion and style, but what exactly is it? At its very basic, smart casual attire is the love child of casual wear and business casual attire. Picture the employees of a hip start-up company, a creative marketing office, or an up-and-coming media company that caters to millennials, and what they’d wear to the office – that’s basically smart casual attire in a nutshell. 

The great thing about smart casual attire is that you have a bit more freedom when it comes to styling your outfits, and depending on the event or where you’re going, you can still look professional and/or event-appropriate while showcasing your personal taste in fashion – something that you’re not exactly able to do with smart casual attire’s similar yet oh-so-different counterpart, business casual. 

What Is the Difference Between Smart Casual and Business Casual?

While smart casual and business casual attire may seem interchangeable, there are a few subtle differences between the two – the main difference being that smart casual is less formal than business casual. We’ll get into the specifics of smart casual below, but typically, a smart casual wardrobe or outfit can include chinos, high quality fitted denim in dark washes, short and long-sleeve button downs, sweaters, sport coats, blazers, and even high-quality plain t-shirts if the dress code is on the more casual side.

And although there isn’t one technical definition for business casual attire, this type of dress code for men typically includes neutral dress pants or slacks in materials like wool, cotton, or a cotton blend, basic long sleeve button down shirts, sweaters, and black or brown leather brogues, Oxfords, or other dress shoes.

For reference, a full suit would be too formal for business casual attire, while wearing chinos and a plain t-shirt would be considered too casual – which is where smart casual attire comes in because chinos and a high-quality plain tee could totally work in a smart casual environment when paired with a sport coat or blazer. Of course, what you wear when it comes to both smart casual and business casual attire depends on the event you’re going to, the weather, the environment, and more, so keep that in mind when putting together your smart casual look.