The Luxury Smart Casual Style Dress Code For Men Explained – 2024 Edition

In this second instalment of our series on men’s dress codes, we explore the ever so popular smart casual look. This series started with our tips to master the casual look. Today, you’ll learn how to instantly upgrade your style with a few simple luxury garments.

If you’ve been invited to a party that calls for a smart casual attire for men, you would be excused to be left a bit perplex. Smart casual is indeed a loosely defined dress code. To make things worse, the definition of the style will vary depending on the location and season of the occasion.

Understanding the contemporary smart dress code

In general, smart casual for men means neat and well-fitted clothes, preferably with a shirt and a blazer. It’s not as formal as your business outfit, but it does have to show that you cared enough about the occasion to make an effort with your clothes.

In most cases, you can wear a dark-coloured pair of jeans with your blazer except if you’ve been invited to a smart casual wedding. For weddings, opt instead for neat chinos in blue or beige.

As a general rule, you should always keep the location and occasion in mind when selecting your outfit. Expert stylists have written an entire guide to men’s smart casual dress code to help you if you need inspiration or more guidance.

If you’re still unsure about what the host means by smart casual, ask them if they could share a few examples or check with other guests who might have been there before. When in doubt, opt for the more formal option. It’s always better to slightly overdressed than underdressed. No one ever said that a man looked too good.

You don’t have to spend much money on your wardrobe but we do recommend that you invest in a few selected pieces that will last you for a long time. This is the case, in particular, with high-end sneakers or a blazer. Take a look at the best luxury brands of the year if you need guidance to know where to shop.

Because the smart casual style is relatively timeless, it isn’t really influenced by short-lived fashion trends. It’s thus easier to future-proof your wardrobe with a few selected items that you can keep for years.