Everybody wants to make a good impression at work, especially since this will reflect your personality and professionalism. What’s a great way of making a good impression on workmates and managers without over-doing it? Well, most experts would say that wearing smart casual attire is a great way of showing a laid-back but professional side of you while still having a good fashion sense.
Contrary to what most people think, you don’t have to wear an outfit that’s too formal since you’re not the groom of a wedding or attending a fundraiser in the first place. Smart casual wear is one of the best ways of telling others that you’re sophisticated while still being approachable and casual at the same time. After all, you can definitely tell how a person lives his life just in his style.
In today’s fashion industry, men’s outfits are usually geared towards the workplace, more specifically, the office. Of course, you still have the freedom to have your own style at the office, as long as you’re comfortable (and that it follows your company’s policies). Since there are limitless possibilities on what we can wear at work, it’s only appropriate that you wear something for work, then maybe for a night out with friends.
The Brief History of Smart Casual
The first time the public started having the concept of “smart” casual was back in the 1920s, with most news outlets describing it as a combination of both streetwear and formal wear with the intention of at least having the office modesty going.
After decades, menswear was then used to describe a work attire that was more inclined to a casual setting. Although much of the concept was different from what we know today, the central premise was still the same. It was only in the 1980s when smart casual started becoming what it is today. Much of the sudden shift in the 1980s from the formal dress code to a more informal work attire merged the lines between streetwear and what people would wear at work. This makes it versatile while also a bit more personal.
Why Smart Casual?
Compared to other types of clothing that are more “formal” than others, smart casual is right in the middle of what is considered casual and formal, which makes it an all-rounded outfit. Gone are the days that you’ll have to go home after work to wear something else for a date.
Not to mention that smart casual wear is versatile in almost any type of occasion. Want to go to wear something to the office without drawing too much attention? Invited to an acquaintance’s wedding? Want to look good but not overdo things? Smart casual is definitely one of the most versatile ways of dressing up for any event.
What Should You Wear?
There’s no single way of wearing smart casual attire since it will depend on your own personal preference. Contrary to what most people think, a smart casual style can range from business casual, dressed up, to simply casual. At the end of the day, you want to have an attire that you can easily move in while still looking fresh and presentable, both at work and when you’re toasting with your friends.
It’s also important to note that when you’re wearing smart casual attire, you might want to consider wearing something that you can wear throughout various environments and occasions without getting stained, torn, and worn out. While some outfits can be worn for at least a day or two, you might want to have them cleaned so they won’t look wrinkled. Fortunately, some dry cleaners are known for their timely and efficient cleaning services.
Smart casual is a great combination of style, comfort, and convenience. If you’re someone that doesn’t know what to wear to work or how you want to impress your date, why not put on a smart casual attire? You don’t necessarily have to overdo your appearance to impress who you’re meeting. At the end of the day, it’s how you handle yourself and less about how you overdo your attire.
