FlamingoBusiness casual is a workplace dress code: tailored trousers or a skirt, a shirt or blouse, and smart shoes, with no suit required. Smart casual is more relaxed and more about style: dark jeans can work, trainers can work if they're clean and simple, and a blazer or good knit pulls the outfit together. The simplest way to tell them apart is the setting. Business casual has to look professional in a meeting. Smart casual has to look considered at a dinner, a party or a relaxed office. Neither has one official definition, so the place you're going to matters more than the label. If you can, check what people there usually wear, and when you can't, go slightly smarter.
What's the difference at a glance?
| Smart casual | Business casual | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Dinners, parties, relaxed offices, some events | Offices, client meetings, interviews, work events |
| Trousers | Chinos, tailored trousers, dark jeans | Tailored trousers, chinos |
| Tops | Knit, polo, neat T-shirt with a jacket, blouse | Shirt, blouse, fine knit |
| Shoes | Loafers, boots, clean plain trainers | Loafers, Oxfords, low heels, smart flats |
| Jacket | Optional and can be unstructured | Optional, but useful for meetings |
| Jeans | Usually fine if dark and without rips | Usually not, unless your workplace allows it |
What is smart casual for women?
- Dark straight jeans, a silk-feel blouse and loafers.
- Wide-leg trousers, a fine knit and ankle boots.
- Midi skirt, a fitted T-shirt and clean white trainers, with a blazer if it's an evening out.
- Simple knit dress with boots and a structured bag.
What is smart casual for men?
- Dark jeans, an Oxford shirt and suede boots.
- Chinos, a merino knit and clean leather trainers.
- Tailored trousers, a polo shirt and loafers.
- Unstructured blazer, a plain T-shirt and dark trousers.
What is business casual for women?
- Tailored trousers, a blouse and low heels.
- Pencil or midi skirt, a fine knit and smart flats.
- Shirt dress with a belt and a light blazer.
What is business casual for men?
- Chinos, a button-down shirt and leather shoes.
- Tailored trousers, a fine jumper over a shirt and loafers.
- Blazer, an open-collar shirt and dark trousers, which works well when you're meeting a client.
Can I wear jeans?
For smart casual, usually yes, if they're dark, fitted and without rips, and the rest of the outfit is a step up. A smart casual wedding is the main exception, and jeans are best avoided there. For business casual, follow your workplace. Many offices allow them on some days, but don't assume so for a client meeting or a first day. If you want a safe option, wear dark chinos or tailored trousers.
Can I wear trainers?
For smart casual, yes, if they're clean, simple and in a neutral colour. Avoid running shoes and anything worn out. For business casual, leather shoes, flats or low heels are safer, unless everybody at your office wears trainers.
What about other dress codes?
Here's roughly how the common ones rank, from least to most formal:
- Casual: everyday clothes, clean and in good shape.
- Smart casual: everyday clothes with one or two sharper pieces.
- Business casual: office clothes without a full suit.
- Business formal: a suit, or a matching skirt or trouser set.
- Cocktail: a dressy dress or separates, or a suit and tie. It's made for evenings and celebrations, not offices.
- Black tie: a floor-length dress or a tuxedo.
For invitations, see what to wear to a wedding as a guest.
What if I still don't know what to wear?
Choose the option you can change on the spot. A blazer can come off. A tie can go in your pocket. Loafers work in more places than either trainers or formal shoes.
You can also plan it ahead in Flamingo. Photograph your clothes once, then choose an occasion such as work or party in the outfit generator, and Flamingo styles a look from your own closet. To compare two options side by side, try each on your twin, a free AI avatar of you, before you get dressed. Try it on iPhone, Android or at app.tryflamingo.app. Your closet and your twin are free; try-ons come with Flamingo Pro.