Smart casual for women has become a common dress code. Women’s styles in general have become more casual over the years, which is likely why smart casual has become more popular. What is smart casual for women? Smart casual is a step up from casual, but not too formal. It’s a relaxed yet polished outfit.smart casual for women

Smart casual for women can include many types of clothing like dresses, dressy shorts, skirts, jeans, trousers, jumpsuits, sweaters, blazers, blouses, shirts, and vests. It’s how you put the pieces together and accessorize them that will create a smart casual outfit. 

When putting together smart casual for women, try mixing a casual piece with a little dressier item. Don’t dress in all casual items or all dressy items, mix them.  For example, jeans and a casual short sleeve shirt can be dressed up a notch by throwing on a blazer and adding medium heels. Voilla, you now have a smart casual outfit.smart casual outfit of blazer and jeans

If you want to wear a dressy skirt, pair it with a casual top, maybe a denim shirt or a sweater and boots or flats. If you wore a dressy skirt with a silky blouse and stilettos, that would be too dressy. Whereas jeans and t-shirt with sneakers is too casual.

Colors for Smart Casual for Women

The colors for smart casual can be anything —bright, pastels, dark or neutrals. You can choose solids, prints or patterns. Pattern mixes work well for smart casual.pattern mix smart casual for women

Shoes for Smart Casual Outfits

Shoes for smart casual outfits are typically flats, low heels or medium heels. Generally not high heels. However, high heels can be worn if they are paired with quite casual items to dress them up just a tad. For example, distressed jeans with a turtleneck could take a high heel boot and not look too dressy. Open and closed toe shoes, sandals, and boots all work well with the appropriate outfit.smart casual shoes

Accessories

A casual outfit accessorized with dressier accessories including scarves and jewelry, and/or a dressier handbag can transform that casual look into a smart casual outfit.smart casual accessoriessmart casual for women

Smart Casual Outfits

You might want to choose your smart casual outfits depending on the time of day or type of event. Nighttime events tend to be dressier in general, even in casual attire. Sometimes smart casual for women is stated in a dress code; sometimes it’s just assumed.

When I go out and don’t know a dress code, I often wear a smart casual outfit.  Below are examples of smart casual outfits for different occasions.

smart casual for women

Book Parties, Art Gallery Opening, Casual Dinner Party, etc.

Smart casual here can be trendy, creative, or classic. Or a mix of all of those. For example, a classic pair of trousers with a fashion forward one shoulder top. Or a leopard skirt with a black and white stripe sweater and a red handbag.

When dressing in smart casual, you can truly show your personality. You have a lot of leeway in colors, styles and degree of dressiness in smart casual.

Yellow flowy skirt smart casual
This is a beautiful dressy skirt. But, styled with a sweater and boots makes this a smart casual outfit.

smart casual for womensmart casual for women

For the Office or a Work Event

Smart casual for women at the office can be the same as a business casual outfit. However, not all smart casual outfits are the same as business casual. Generally the difference between smart casual and business casual is business casual is a little more business-like, even though it’s more casual than a true professional outfit. Smart casual is a little more relaxed yet sophisticated. It’s not necessarily business-like and can be more fashion forward, whimsical or  artsy looking.

Here are 2 examples of smart casual for women for the office. The first one is also a business casual outfit. The second one is more for a work event, not necessarily the office.Smart Casual and Business Casualsmart casual for women

Weddings

Sometimes weddings can be smart casual for guests. This is especially true for informal afternoon weddings. For example a wedding in a backyard or other informal venues. With smart casual for weddings you might want to choose a sophisticated casual dress, a jumpsuit, or a medium dressy skirt with a sophisticated top. Below are 2 examples. The first one is a sundress with a sweater over it. The second one is a dress with fluttery bell sleeves and wedge heels to make it smart casual and not too dressy.Scarf dress smart casual for womensmart casual for womensmart casual wedding bell sleeves

Conclusion

You should keep your clothing personality, the even, and the time of day in mind when putting together a smart casual outfit. And remember don’t look too dressy or too casual. You want a neat, sophisticated outfit but you want to look and feel relaxed. 

 

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