You’ve just received an invite to an event. Maybe it’s a garden BBQ, maybe it’s a city wedding, or maybe it’s a dinner party. But you’re stumped, because the dress code says smart casual. Here at Moss, we call it smasual, and if you don’t know what’s expected of you when it comes to that dress code, we can help.

Initially, when the term “smart casual” was coined, it was meant to capture a slightly less casual suiting look relative to what you might wear at an office job. Now, it’s a bit more flexible and open to interpretation… which can kind of make it more confusing.

The good news is, as long as you look put together, you can’t really mess this one up. Keep reading to see some examples of typical smart casual looks, and remember, don’t be afraid to get creative with this dress code.

WHAT DOES SMART CASUAL MEAN?

Again, this is open to interpretation. But typically, it’s a look that lands between a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, and a full-on suit and tie look. You can mix elements of those two outfits, or you can add or takeaway things to make it smart casual.

If that sounds confusing, fair enough. Smart casual is one of those terms that isn’t as easy to nail down as formal or black tie or even business casual. While that might seem annoying, look at it as an opportunity to do you own thing with it.

For example, choose a suit that’s patterned, and pair with with a crisp white T-shirt and a pair of desert boots. Or, layer a knitted jumper underneath a navy blue suit. You can also take your suit apart, wearing the blazer with a pair of chinos or jeans, or the trousers with a bomber jacket or zip-neck polo.

The one rule we’d recommend sticking to, regardless, is to avoid a tie or a classic white Oxford shirt. Both of those might make your smart casual look veer into stuffy territory. As we said above, as long as you look put together and your outfit reflects your personal style, you’ll be in smart casual territory.

WHERE CAN I WEAR A SMART CASUAL LOOK?

These days, as dress codes soften and the requirement to wear a suit in spaces like the office and to weddings is less prevalent, smart casual looks will work in loads of environments. Especially if you work in a more creative environment, chances are, you’re probably already wearing smart casual outfits on a pretty regular basis.

As weddings become smaller and more casual, too, you might find a smart casual dress code on those invites. Here, we’d recommend erring on the side of slightly more formal, opting for a suit or a blazer and trouser combo, a patterned shirt, and loafers. This is good to remember particularly if the wedding venue seems more elevated or you know the couple favours a little style.

Otherwise, smart casual is great for a first date if it’s at a cocktail bar or a restaurant, an office party, a dinner party, an engagement party, or really any evening event. Of course, that changes if you know the dress code is formal or black tie. It’s all about paying attention to the details and the amount of information you’ve been given about the event.

WHAT DO I WEAR WITH A SMART CASUAL OUTFIT?

This is the fun bit. If you have a favourite pair of trainers, a T-shirt you love or a go-to polo, you can work any of these elements into your smart casual look. Just make sure that whatever you choose, there isn’t too much happening in your overall look.

What we mean here is that, to keep your look a bit more understated, don’t pair patterned pants with a patterned shirt. And if you’ve chosen a brightly coloured suit, avoid equally bright trainers. Let one element of your outfit be the focal point, and let all the other parts play off it.

For example, go for a suit that pulls a particular colour out of your patterned shirt. Or, choose a pair of trainers in a solid colour to let your bold suit do the talking. And, be careful not to over accessorise. If you’re going to wear a pocket square, leave the tie at home.

As with any fashion “rule” we always encourage you to be creative and let your personality shine through, and that’s especially important when you’re building a smart casual look. As long as you feel good about your outfit, you’re happy with the fit, and you’re comfortable, we bet your look is bang on form.

If there’s one item that sets you apart as a man who dresses well, it’s a waistcoat. Wear it right, and you’ll look sharp for work, charming at weddings and comfortably smart at the weekend. More than just an accessory, waistcoats are designed to define your torso and create a smooth finish where your shirt meets your trousers. They’re also more versatile than you might think and look at home as a part of many different outfits. Here’s how to get maximum mileage out of your waistcoat.

  WHAT IS A WAISTCOAT?

You probably already know exactly what a waistcoat is, but just in case you don’t here’s the lowdown. It’s a sleeveless jacket-style top that’s worn on the upper body, it usually buttons up at the front and sometimes has an adjustable strap at the back for the perfect fit. Think Gareth Southgate’s famous World Cup waistcoat style, men’s 3-piece suits and the stereotypical English country gent style.

Most people think of waistcoats for more formal events like parties, formal dinners, and work events. It lets you layer up, experiment with different fabrics and finishes and can help to pull together your formal attire. You can even make your waistcoat into a statement piece that boosts a simpler suit. Originally waistcoats were created as formal wear to be worn under a coat.

However, waistcoats aren’t just for formal events, they’re much more popular for daily wear than ever before. Wearing a more casual waistcoat for drinks, dates and dinner is a great way to hit the spot between dressed up and dressed down. Not sure about the weather? A waistcoat means you can layer up and still look stylish without too much effort, especially if you choose linen and wool blends or a cotton waistcoat.

First of all, as with all tailoring, getting the fit of your waistcoat right is essential to looking well-turned-out. It should sit close to your body but not feel restrictive so you can move without it gaping. The straps should fit flat on your shoulders without lifting up when you move your arms around. Follow these few rules, and you’ll find one that suits your frame perfectly. Most waistcoats have a strap at the back that you can adjust to help it fit better, but avoid relying on this too much because you don’t want the material to rumple.

Let’s start with the classic matching option. It’s the look to go for if you want to get ahead at work or have a dressed-up occasion like the races or a wedding. Select the waistcoat that’s made for the suit, and you won’t have to worry about whether or not it looks right.

Contrast your tie and shirt combination to bring your outfit to life and feel free to show a bit of personality with the pattern and colour in your accessories. Or, show your easy-going side by ditching the tie and going for an open neck, as long as it won’t look out of place on the day.

Rather than going traditional and wearing a jacket-and-trouser two-piece, replace your jacket with a waistcoat to keep cool on warm days without losing any sense of style. Some waistcoats come with a pocket on the chest so you can add a square and dress it up if you want to.

Dressing a waistcoat down works well too, and will see you from brunch to the bar. Wear it over a casual shirt with a pair of jeans or chinos to polish up your weekend apparel. This look works best with a textured waistcoat, like herringbone or tweed.

Either wear your shirt open-necked or add a knitted tie to smarten up a bit. Just be sure to tuck your shirt into your jeans to keep your silhouette streamlined.

A FEW TIPS FOR WEARING YOUR WAISTCOAT

Some final thoughts:

Waistcoats have a lining on the back that will be on full show when you take off the jacket.

Feel free to be bold with the colour and pattern, but make sure your shirt choice doesn’t clash.

Always leave the bottom button undone. It’s the done thing.

If you choose a skinny or slim fit, it will have slimmer shoulder straps that can create the illusion of bigger muscles – just a heads-up.