Smart Casual: Looking SMART in the Office and on Campus

This week I am going to focus on business and office dress codes.  After spending an hour at the job fair last week I realized that many students are not clear on what it means to be "dressed up" for the job fair.  Unfortunately, I saw way too many mini-skirts with platform, open-toed shoes.  I was also discouraged to see that some women are wearing workout clothes to their sorority chapter meetings and professional organization meetings.  There are all kinds of ways to be “dressed” and each one is appropriate in its own time and place.  It is important to your personal and professional success to understand the appropriate attire to wear for different events and occasions.  So, this week I will try to break it down for you.

Today I will introduce many of you to "Smart Casual".  Smart Casual is a relatively new dress code that often bridges the gap between Casual and Business Casual.  Casual dress would include jeans, shorts, tank tops, flip flops, tennis shoes, TOMS (with the exception of the wedge TOMS) and would not be considered appropriate to wear to most office and business settings.  I will discuss Business Casual in my next post.

Smart Casual is a casual, yet polished, “smart” way of dressing that is practical in more relaxed environments where it is still desirable to look professional and put together.  Smart Casual is appropriate in many places and can often transition from the office to school and community meetings, shopping, and happy hour.  It is how I would recommend students dress for their student organization meetings (including fraternity and sorority informal or business meetings), Student Government Association, etc. or any organization in which you hold a leadership position.  Your peers will take you more seriously when you are dressed “smart”.  Students should also consider dressing smart casual when they meet with faculty and advisors on campus.  This is probably my favorite way to dress, in general.  (Although a pencil skirt is my favorite way to dress in the office, but more on that when we cover business casual and business professional dress.)  Smart casual is versatile and appropriate for a variety of settings and occasions.

So, what does Smart Casual look like?

For Women:

Jeans (dark wash or trouser cut), slacks, skirts or a dress

Blouse, sweater, turtleneck, knit tops and other dressy fabrics

Layer with cardigan, blazer, or fashion jacket

Trench coat, pea coat, or other wool coats

Heels is usually best to dress up your jeans, but you can also wear boots, booties and flats

Accessorize with scarves, jewelry, belts and professional bags  (this is a great opportunity to show a little of your personality and be a little less conservative - note the green heels and animal print flats)

For Men:

Jeans (dark wash, not faded or ripped), trousers and chinos

Long-sleeved dress shirt, crewneck tees, polo shirts, sweaters, knit pullovers (ties are optional)

Sports coat or blazer (a must if you are wearing jeans)

Leather loafers and boots and a belt

What do you think of SMART dressing?  Does your office allow for smart casual in your company dress code?  Do you dress like this for meetings on campus?