Smart casual gives you the chance to go a little more urban.

 

Smart casual used to mean no jeans, but I don't think that's the case anymore. I take it to mean wearing chinos and a sports shirt, and something to that effect.

 

It might be regional? Out here I'm not sure there is any difference unless possibly 'smart casual' is dressier. I mean, look at Steve Jobs. Was he dressed in smart casual? He certainly was doing business in some sort of casual.

 

I take "smart casual" to include short sleeves and jeans (not necessarily together). Granted, even something listed as business casual will see me showing up in denim.

 

I use the terms interchangeably - and both exclude denim.

 

I researched "smart casual" extensively when setting a dress code for an awards dinner. Definitions abound, but most suggest that it is nicer than business casual. Think J. Crew with knit tie, sport coat, etc. Smart casual is an invitation to dress well without dressing up. Ivy prep, for example.

 

My definition comes largely from the "suggested" attire for certain restaurants, which list "smart casual" and at least half of the people are in denim, but nice denim.

 

Mostly one is business and one is social, imo.

 

Personally I would consider smart casual to be more relaxed than business casual and agree with StylePurgatory in that one is business and the other social. With that said I feel okay wearing denim to an event described as smart casual but not so much if it were business casual.

 

In terms of restaurants, biz casual or smart casual basically comes down to no shorts, no flip flops and no tank tops.

It's a sad state of affairs, but true nonetheless.

 

Neither term really means anything (predictably), so define it however you like.

 

Neither term really means anything (predictably), so define it however you like.

This does seem to be a semantic mish mosh. I would play it safe with khakis, sportcoat and OCBD.

 

In terms of restaurants, biz casual or smart casual basically comes down to no shorts, no flip flops and no tank tops.

It's a sad state of affairs, but true nonetheless.

You forgot "for men" on the end of your list. All of the above are still fair game for women when it comes to dining out.

 

I use the terms interchangeably - and both exclude denim.

My own understanding of the terms and application is succinctly expressed above by my much admired colleague Roger. :thumbs-up:

 

You forgot "for men" on the end of your list. All of the above are still fair game for women when it comes to dining out.

Touche.

 

Neither term really means anything (predictably), so define it however you like.

True, the responses to this thread demonstrates that even men "in the know" cannot agree to the definition of these terms. However, I consider it the responsibility of the company to define what their dress codes encompasses for their employees. I've worked in "business casual" environments where denim was strictly prohibited.

Obviously, it makes sense to aim a bit higher when you're not sure. Don't be afraid to ask someone at your company where the dress code description can be found.

 

Smart Casual

 

^^^
Looks like something a college student might wear.

The business casual look is not my idea of that.

 

^^^
Looks like something a college student might wear.

The business casual look is not my idea of that.

There idea of "business casual" is my idea of "cell phone sales formal"

Also, looks women's "business professional" dictates "look fatter than you actually are; it'll make you work harder for it".

 

What it has there as smart casual, I would call casual. The thing is people have forgotten is that, almost all the time, jeans and a t-shirt is out of the question. People think that's casual, but it's one rung down from casual (commence near-violent debate over how many more rungs down it is than one!).

Funny story - went to a launch party for a new product at my wife's company. They're a software company, so I asked her "smart casual, casual, or software casual?" I didn't want to be the weirdly overdressed guy, as I wanted to reflect well on my wife to her coworkers. She said "software casual, there are glow sticks" so I wore jeans and a t-shirt. It was a range from casual to smart casual, to hipster-chic (for lack of a better term. Lesson I've learned from this: always wear some kind of jacket, as it can be removed if one is overdressed. I have a couple of jackets that work over jeans and a t-shirt - that is, if you can accept that that is ever viable; Shaver we know you say it isn't . I haven't worn that look since I was a student, but in this setting it would have worked. Well, now I will do it better for the next event.

 

Personally I would consider smart casual to be more relaxed than business casual and agree with StylePurgatory in that one is business and the other social.

+1

I have sport coats and blazers I would wear to a smart casual social event but not to a business casual office, for example: very loud plaid sport coats, anything made of lightweight linen, double breasted blazers.

Likewise I have a blazer that's basically a suit jacket with gold buttons that I would wear to the office but not a social event.

Also cream trousers. They are all fun and no business in my mind.

 

^^^
Looks like something a college student might wear.

The business casual look is not my idea of that.

Then what is?

 

Neither term really means anything (predictably), so define it however you like.

It is sad that in a world where we have such terms, and have them to convey a particular meaning, that they wind up being meaningless. This is a site and forum dedicated (however loosely we define THAT word) to the pursuit and education of fashion and style to particular occasions. Yet recent (geologically speaking) trends have stripped away required coverings and instead strive for individuality to such an extent that labels and other adjectives are used to such varying degrees that even here nobody can give a definitive answer to what "smart casual" is and how it relates (greater or lesser formality to "business casual"). I personally had never heard the term "smart casual" prior to this discussion. My initial view was that "business casual" is working hard to convey the correct image and "smart casual" is getting others to do that work for you.

After this discussion goes for five pages and strays from the topic half-a-dozen times, there will still be no consensus. We throw those terms about in order to suggest a particular expected style while trying to not sound like we are dictating a particular style. Typical American thinking, imo; trying to keep our freedoms open while hoping others will limit their freedoms so we can enjoy ours.

The correct answer for these terms and others is; it means what you think it means. The more correct answer is; it means what your superiors secretly think it means, and they will judge you accordingly. Welcome to life. Bring several different outfits and pay someone to tell you what the most powerful person there is wearing (before you get there) so you can put on something slightly less refined than that.

 

Alright so, I'll take a stab at actually defining it. If you were to look up Smart Casual in Debrett's (as I've done in the past) it would tel you that, for gentlemen, it is proper trousers (that is to say dress pants), a button up shirt, an odd jacket, and open collar. Business casual is essentially the same, but one's choices of jacket/shirt/trousers would probably be different.

Pragmatically, denim is an acceptable alternative to dress pants sometimes. If the setting, taking into account regional customs, the host's tendencies/preferences, and those of the other attendees/guests/coworkers, would mean dressy (dark, well fitting, finer weave) denim is reasonably common, you can go ahead and make that choice. If you aren't sure, don't wear it.

 

One important thing to remember is that people on this website, myself included, are going to overthink the term, and care, much more than will anyone at the event you are attending. The message they likely intend to send is: you should dress up a little. Better than jeans and a polo shirt. But you don't need to wear a suit. I interpret "smart" as giving a little more leeway to something you might wear out in the evening to an upscale club or a trendy restaurant. I don't wear denim at work, but going to a restaurant I might wear dark denim with some nice boots, a white OCBD, and a casual cotton sportcoat, just as an example.