According to Debretts, jeans can be smart casual, but only on the condition that the event or place you're heading to is a more laid back one. (Jeans would not be welcome at a smart casual wedding, for example.) However, the denim in question should be immaculate - so give the ripped knees a miss.
Generally, jeans are acceptable for smart casual dress codes, but you'll want to stick with a darker wash, without any rips or distressing. If you're worried about being underdressed in denim, try a pair of chinos instead.
Smart casual attire is a dress code that combines well-fitting, polished business wear with elements of casual attire—think blouses, polo shirts, button-downs, chinos, dress pants, dark-wash jeans, and polished, practical footwear.
Denim jeans are considered smart casual when paired with other items of smart clothing, e.g. a tailored blouse and heels. Avoid distressed or patterned denim jeans and opt for a straight leg fit.
Distressing (see photo below) tends to make jeans too casual for business wear. Many brands add fake distressing to give the jean a broken-in look and feel. This style of jeans may have a place in your wardrobe, best suited for everyday-casual or lifestyle events, but maybe not for doing business for most professions.
Jeans are usually considered business casual, with some exceptions. Business casual jeans should be clean and in good condition, free of any tears, fading or fraying. Avoid bright-colored jeans or styles that have flashy details, in favor of classic styles that you can pair with accessories or layers as needed.
Black jeans are often a great choice for a business casual office. Pairing the perfect pair of black jeans with the right shirt and quality shoes will help them to fit in the workplace, while still showcasing their wearer's personal sense of style.
If possible, every smart casual professional should invest in a quality pair of non-ripped denim jeans with straight legs and a tailored fit. Dark wash jeans are best for smart casual clothing. Jeans provide a classic look that fits into numerous environments and can be dressed up as needed.
Try your best to avoid pairing too many casual items together, for instance, distressed jeans and a basic tee will appear too casual, but jeans and a nice top will work perfectly for smart casual attire as it creates a seamless balance between a casual item (jeans) and a dressier item (nice top).
Smart casual is a pair of dark, slim jeans, a blazer, and desert boots. Smart casual is also chinos, a patterned shirt, and a bomber jacket. Done right, a smart casual look can work in “casual,” “business casual,” and even some “dressed up” environments while still standing out from the crowd.
So, first up, what is smart casual? The term is basically about balancing your look with high-low pieces, which means you might wear something laid-back like jeans, but dress them up with smarter pieces like a shirt and blazer or heels.
Smart casual is an ambiguously defined Western dress code that is generally considered casual wear but with smart (in the sense of "well dressed") components of a proper lounge suit from traditional informal wear.
Are Leggings Smart Casual? Rejoice: leggings are smart casual! This kind of dress code allows for clothes that are generally laidback, but not sloppy – so leggings and a pretty blouse are fine, but not that faded tee that you got for free at the car wash.
The answer is yes, but not always. To wear jeans as a smart casual outfit, they should be a dark solid colour and fit well. Avoid distressed jeans or ripped denim, and no light blue washes. Good dark colours of denim include indigo and black, and providing they're solid, can be worn as part of a smart casual outfit.
Denim becomes dressier and slightly more formal. Indigo suitings have a denim feel, while authentic fabrics are either rinse-washed or raw. Slim and straight-fit suits and jeans have a sartorial and grown-up edge.
Ideally, you always want to avoid looks at the extreme end of the spectrum, that means no jeans, no trainers, no hoodies, or no sweatpants. At the same time, it also means no neckwear, no suits, no pleated pants, and no black dress shoes.
Australian workplace dress codes
Smart casual (e.g. sports jacket with chinos or nice jeans for men; nice slacks, skirt or dark jeans with a collared or dressy top for women) Business casual (e.g. pressed khakis or chinos with a polo or collared shirt for men; dress pants with a fashionable top for women)
Pairing a blazer with jeans is a great way to pull off the smart casual look. Learn how to combine this classic piece of formal wear with a fresh pair of denim jeans.
A smart casual dress code for women includes combining a polished piece with something more laid back. Some examples are a day dress paired with heels or a shirt dress styled with trainers and a stylish shoulder bag. Depending on the office setting, jewellery and accessories should be kept to a minimum if you prefer.
Smart casual includes items like blazers, sports jackets, dresses, sweaters, trousers, khakis, skirts, blouses, button-down shirts, polos, dress shoes, boots, heels, flats, scarves and jewelry.
Wide-leg suit pants still pass the smart casual test when paired with a luxe tee (materials like cashmere or brushed cotton with a classic cut are best) or a silk shirt will also see you through any smart casual event.
Dark jeans are perfect for this purpose since they offer endless styling options. You can pair them with most blazers or your favorite dress shirt in your wardrobe.
Although jeans as a whole are considered business casual, not all jeans are business casual, and color plays a big part. As a general rule of thumb, the darker the jean, the more suitable for a business casual dress code. If your workplace is on the casual side, however, you can opt for a lighter wash.
Smart Casual means 'simple, yet elegant'. A dress code consisting of sober and refined garments that are less formal than a purely elegant look. It can be defined as 'a sophisticated look with a relaxed style'.