Style Guide · Own
Smart casual
Relaxed, but put together: what to wear to dinner, a date, a party or a weekend event.
Smart casual is the dress code people ask about most, because it's the least clear. The idea: one relaxed piece, everything else sharp.
The formula
- A jacket that's soft and easy: navy, tan, olive or a texture. Unlined is fine.
- Trousers with a crease, or dark jeans that fit well.
- A crisp shirt, a good polo or a fine knit. No tie needed.
- Shoes: suede loafers, or clean white leather sneakers for a relaxed event.
Easy combinations
- Navy jacket, white shirt, dark jeans, brown loafers.
- Tan jacket, navy knit polo, grey trousers.
- Olive jacket, white tee in a heavy cotton, cream trousers, white sneakers.
Dressing it up or down
- Up: swap the jeans for trousers and the sneakers for loafers.
- Down: lose the jacket, keep the good shirt.
Not sure? Bring the invitation. We'll put the look together with you.
Outfit ideas.
Green jacket, cream trousers
Light blue jacket
Cream jacket, olive trousers
Navy jacket, dark jeans
Knit polo, light trousers
Style tips.
- One relaxed piece, the rest sharp.
- Fit matters more here than anywhere: nothing baggy, nothing tight.
- A jacket over a knit is the easiest smart casual look.
- Dark jeans only if they're clean and fit well.
Colours.
Olive
White
One relaxed piece. Everything else should look like you meant it.
Questions.
- What does smart casual mean for men?
- One relaxed piece, the rest sharp: a soft jacket, good trousers or dark jeans, a crisp shirt or a fine knit.
- Can I wear sneakers with smart casual?
- Clean white leather sneakers, for a relaxed event. Suede loafers are the safer choice.
- Do I need a jacket for smart casual?
- Not always, but a jacket over a knit is the easiest way to look put together.
Advice from the San Marko fitting room, 718 Central Park Ave, Yonkers, NY. Family-run since the early 1970s.
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