What is "Smart Casual" Dress?

[RoadRage]

Hello fellow DU peeps!

I need a bit of help. I am going to an evening party/reception for a work client of mine who happens to be a professional sports organization. So, the mix of people will be employees of the sports organization, professional atheletes, and other vendors like myself. The Dress Code for the evening is "Smart Casual". What the HECK does that mean? I know business, business casual, and even "evening attire".. but I do not know what "Smart Casual" consists of. Also - i'm a female.. but i'm taking my husband with me (but I think this will be easier for him.. he's jut doing slacks, a dress shirt and a sweater) with some loafers.

Thanks for any clarification.. and pictures would even be better! :)

[rcrush]

1. dress like you have no soul.

[RoadRage]

4. What does that even mean?!?

[Spider Jerusalem]

2. 'Smart casual':

For men, dress trousers, button-up shirt with collar (tie optional), casual lace-ups or slip-ons, a belt, and optionally a jacket or sweater.

For women: slacks or skirt, blouse or pullover, possibly a belt, jacket, sweater, etc.

Think business casual that's simultaneously more stylish and relaxed (jeans and athletic shoes are right out).

[RoadRage]

3. Crap.. i'm gonna need to go shopping...

I have suits, I have jeans, and I have very little in between. Fashion is NOT my forte'.. i have a home office, and I work in adidas workout pants, tank-tops and sweatshirts when it gets chilly. When I actually have to see a client, I usually put on a full suit.. so this "in between" stuff is outta my realm!

Thanks for the info. :)

[Rabrrrrrr]

5. wear suits - you can never be over-dressed, and it's a safer option

than getting there and discovering that "smart casual" means more to the party host than it might to you or to the people on DU.

[RoadRage]

6. I thought about that.. but it's from 7:30pm - Midnight..

and I thought a suit might seem kinda stuffy for an evening event that isn't deemed "cocktail". I dunno.. maybe a pair of slacks and a jacket in a different color that coordinates but doesn't match? Close to suit, but not *quite* as formal?

I wish they would just have spelled out on the invitation what they wanted me to wear. :)

[Rabrrrrrr]

7. That could work well, too - shirt and tie with a more casual jacket for the guy,

something equivalently womanish for you.

Though that Amelia Erhart movie is out and popular - dress as a woman aviator from the 1920s.

[Flaxbee]

8. if you have a black skirt from one of your suits,

just get a pretty sweater (or sweater set), wear black (sheer) hose (NOT opaque) and a pair of stylist pumps (not just plain work pumps, but not sexy date shoes).

Or, find a nice pair of trousers and a silk blouse. Not too neutral, but not cocktail, either.

If you can afford it, probably wouldn't hurt to have an in-between outfit - pants or skirt, blouse or sweater and some not-totally-plain shoes -- ready to go, just in case for any other events.

[RoadRage]

10. Thanks!

I'm going to run to the mall at lunch today to see what I can find... I think I know what it is now in theory.. it's just pulling that look together for me in reality could prove difficult. ;) I'll make it work!

[Ava83]

12. I always do this

(because I wish they had garanimals for adults...and it is why I wear dresses)

I go to Banana Republic, J Crew or Ann Taylor. They are fairly neutral and I usually can get something.

Also (and I do not really shop there to much) J Jill and that Chico's.

[Captain Hilts]

18. Dresses usually dictate 'stockings', which, especially in warmer temperatures, are

miserable.

[Ava83]

21. Tis True

Do you think its really bad not to wear stockings in the summer? (um I am asking for a "friend" who does not all the time)

[Captain Hilts]

17. Disagree. For this kind of event, DON'T wear a skirt. Stockings suck for that long....

[Captain Hilts]

16. Right! The Condi/Hillary look. Colorful jacket, black pants, comfortable shoes that don't

shine or have spike heels.

[Captain Hilts]

15. ALWAYS good to wear a jacket of some kind. Keep an i.d., pontoon and couple bills in the pocket

and leave your purse in the car.

[Orsino]

9. It's anything more stylish than plain business casual.

I think?

[Captain Hilts]

20. Right. No polo shirts or cotton khakis. nt

[GreenPartyVoter]

22. Oh, I thought it meant polos and khakis but not jeans and tee shirts?

[1gobluedem]

11. Here's a photo

Looks like a more elegant form of business casual

[Captain Hilts]

19. Lose the shiny shoes with hose and this one works well. nt

[hippywife]

13. Smart casual is

staying home in your jammies with a movie and some popcorn. :D

[Captain Hilts]

14. No stockings necessary, but nicer than a polo and slacks. nt

[unpossibles]

23. wear something along the lines of what people wore in the movie

Idiocracy