Home » Dress Code 101: Difference Between Casual and Smart Casual

Dress Code 101: Difference Between Casual and Smart Casual

by yukihigson

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Yuki Tansengco

To be honest, I sometimes get confused with the term “smart casual.” For some odd reason, it doesn’t translate the same way everytime I see it on the invite so does that mean we should play by ear?

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Monday Blues

In my workspace, we are allowed to wear “smart casual” and whatever makes us feel comfortable at work – staying within the “corporate attire” guidelines. Always sticking to blues and blacks.

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Dress Code 101

So really, what is the difference between casual and smart casual? There’s even “business casual” 😀

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Parisian suede blue flats

For this outfit, it looks sort of casual with the high waisted pants but rows back to smart casual because of the colors and the button down. Although some workplaces strictly require heels, it’s also good to pack both heels and flats when you’re at work.

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Hair by Jing Monis

When it comes to the hair, casual would be down and undone while smart casual would be a sleek ponytail or set curls. Thank you to Jing Monis for my hair! I think I need to re-color it!

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Ferragamo 2-way sling

For the bag, casual would be colorful bags in various sizes and smart casual would be a statement bag – preferably in black. Something that would say, “I mean business!”

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Casual vs Smart Casual

In a nutshell, casual would be something we quickly put together in our closets while smart casual has this clean, sleek and polished look. Smart casual looks more collected and ready to hit a meeting!

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Photos by Paul

Muchas Gracias Paul the PR guy for snapping today’s photos! This is what I wore right before the Nixon x Kate Spade post, check out the previous one! 🙂

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Yuki Tansengco

And while I still find the idea of a smart casual dress code a potential mine field, we must always remember that dressing up nicely is a way of being polite. 

Bye monday blues,

Yuki

(Photos by Paul the PR Guy)

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