Smart Casual for Women

About the Author

Angie is co-founder of YLF and its resident fashion stylist.

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Smart Casual for Women

— by Angie

on June 13, 2011

After 5 years of posting daily content on YLF, some of my early entries on “smart casual dressing” are still amongst the most popular. So I thought it was time for an update. At its simplest, smart casual means dressing up jeans. It’s dressier than casual, but not quite as formal as business casual because the denim dresses down the outfit. The beauty of smart casual is that in today’s age of casualization, it will take you just about anywhere.

Smart Casual is versatile, easy and flop proof, and it’s completely formula driven:

Denim + dressy top (or dress, or skirt) + dressy shoes + dressy accessories

ANYONE can cook up a killer smart casual outfit given the right ingredients.

Denim: Jeans are the obvious choice in any colour and silhouette. Blue, black, grey, white and cream jeans are no brainers, but with coloured denim being big this season, that can work too. Skinny, straight leg, bootcut, trouser and wide leg jeans are all fabulous. If you don’t like to wear jeans, never fear! Substitute jeans for a denim skirt, or layer a denim jacket over a dressy dress or dressy skirt and top combination. For the more fashion forward and daring, there are more fringe denim bottom choices like denim shorts shorts, bermudas and cropped denim pant styles that can absolutely be dressed up to look smart casual. Take your pick.
Top: Think dressier blouses, button down shirts, knitwear and knit tops instead of T-shirts. Do not be afraid to add sparkle, glitz and super formal tops to jeans or a denim skirt. Do not be afraid of adding a denim jacket to a sparkly dress. If you’re matching a skirt or dress ensemble with a denim jacket, make sure that the pieces are smarter than casual.
Jacket: This is an optional but effective extra for smart casual outfits with jeans and denim skirts. The magical powers of a jacket can take an outfit from drab to fab. For smart casual, you’re after a dressier jacket. It needn’t be super tailored, but a casual jacket, although fab with denim, is not smart casual unless the rest of your outfit is very dressy. Jackets can mean anything from blazers and trapeze silhouettes, to boyfriend cuts, cropped styles, leather looks, trench coats and wool coats. T-shirts are generally not part of this dress code, but layer a fabulous jacket over a good quality tee and you’ve made it work.
Dressy Shoes: Footwear goes a long way to finishing off any outfit and for smart casual, its no different. Think dressy shoes, either flat or heeled. Sandals, pumps, oxfords, boots, booties, ballet flats, mary janes – any shoe at all as long as it’s not a casual shoe.
Dressy accessories: A dressier handbag completes the look. Jewelry is not a must, and these days I am happy to leave the house with only watch, wedding ring, specs and handbag. But adding a statement piece of jewelry will further dress up your outfit. Necklaces are a great option as are dressier scarves. Earrings, rings, brooches and bracelets are also fab. If you’re a belt gal, add a dressy belt.

Because darker denim is definitely dressier than faded denim, I used to suggest sticking to darker denim washes for smart casual. But when the other components are dressy, I think that faded denim can be a cool and unexpected in a smart casual ensemble. It’s a little tricky to get right though so if you are at all in doubt, stick to darker denim washes.

I spend half my life is smart casual attire because it’s my favourite dress code, and because denim is acceptable in my line of work. So it shouldn’t be surprising that many of the outfits I have posted on YLF are smart casual. Below are some of my favourites.

46 comments · Add a comment

Sparky

Veteran

Thank you for this post, Angie! The reminders and especially seeing a grouping of your smart casual pics are so helpful. This formula has become my default approach to dressing, thanks to you. Last night I attended a neighborhood cocktail party (so think very casual), and I wore dark wash denim bootcuts, patent pumps, a dressy blouse and a blazer. Several nights ago I wore a dress with a cropped denim blazer and wedge sandals out to dinner with a friend. My newest revelation: seeing how dressier footwear can really take an outfit up a notch.

June 13, 2011 at 4:24 am

Laura

(website)

Veteran

So excited for an update to your all-time classic post! When I discovered YLF 3 years ago, the smart casual formula was a revelation that changed my life I still follow the formula today, although a bit more unconsciously. Glad to have some ideas for updates. (And I still adore your Hong Kong outfit with the black dress, bottom row, left. Perfection! Sigh!).

One thing that helps me in creating a smart casual outfit is remembering to use contrast — i.e. a dressier dress with an uber casual cropped denim jacket, or faded jeans with a silky blouse.

June 13, 2011 at 4:39 am

Sharon

Veteran

Thanks for another great post. I never felt right wearing jeans before YLF – I always felt sloppy and daggy in them. This year I have followed your smart casual formula, and finally feel good wearing jeans. It’s so nice to have a wardrobe item I can turn to that is easy to wear, but that I feel smart and stylish in.

I don’t own a denim jacket, but it will be on my list when the weather warms up.

June 13, 2011 at 5:08 am

Diana

Veteran

I love smart casual ensembles and it is my go-to dressing mode. I work in a pretty casual environment (lab) so smart casual dressing allows me to to both indulge in my love of fashion and still not look completely out of place at work. Although I have to say that I think some of my colleagues think I’m always dressed up at work!

June 13, 2011 at 6:15 am

Lisa

Veteran

I live in my smart casual wardrobe. I wear this style everyday for work and on most weekends. A pair of jeans, blazer and pumps or boots are certainly a go-to formula for me to feel polished and put together in a jiffy. I really enjoy the mix of a dressy piece with casual items. Especially mixing in my suit blazers which would otherwise sit in the cloest unworn for long lengths of time. When I first found YLF the smart casual wardrobe was a real eye opener and now I can’t imagine my wardrobe working any other way. I especially like the photos included in this revival of smart casual, nothing is better than some pictures to clarify how to work the formula.

June 13, 2011 at 6:31 am

patti

(website)

Active Member

I love your expression “flop proof” so much! For me, the most important piece to get right is the top. A plain tee only works for me if I add the right topper and pendant necklace. I’ve also upgraded my shoes in the last few years, so that a jeans outfit now takes me more places. Your pictures are so much fun to study for more ideas!

June 13, 2011 at 6:43 am

valleycat1

What Diana said (though I’m in a school office, not a lab)! I decided long ago that if a certain late night NYC talk show host and a certain computer executive could go anywhere in jeans, so could I.

June 13, 2011 at 7:14 am

Clover

This formula is wonderful. Before YLF I was mostly a two piece dresser, feeling overclothed in too many layers. After turning 50 I wanted to update my style approach and adding a jacket is just the ticket. I now have a few jackets which work wonders for my look and are functional as well. This approach works really well for travel, too– attractive and servicable from one city to another.

June 13, 2011 at 7:20 am

Queen Mum

Veteran

I love how you have such a variety of looks from one simple formula. I think smart casual is so popular because it can take you almost anywhere outside of work. If everyone else is super casual, you can go smart casual and not look out of place. If everyone else is dressed up a bit more than smart casual, you aren’t going to look like a slob if you’ve put together a polished smart casual outfit. It’s a pretty safe formula when you aren’t quite sure how to go.

June 13, 2011 at 7:23 am

Cynthia

(website)

So can you wear a cardigan and a dress and be smart casual? Or am I doomed to always be frumpy?

June 13, 2011 at 7:27 am

iamang

(website)

Active Member

I love your dressy casual looks! I love how you often use belts. It seems to add definition and depth to your looks.

June 13, 2011 at 7:48 am

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Such great looks!

I love the invitation to add a jacket. I realize that I have always loved them…yet for several years I didn’t own or wear them. Now I am slowly rebuilding a collection in my new size, and feeling so happy to wear them.

June 13, 2011 at 8:01 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Sparky, your smart casual combinations sound fab.

Thanks, Laura! I especially love your smart casual outfits.

Sharon, I’m glad that you saw the denim light. Personally, I think that there is something very youthful about denim and if I had my way, everyone would wear it! But I also understand a style sans denim – which is in itself a statement.

Lisa, you wear smart casual extremely well. You truly are the blazer and boots Queen.

Patti, so true. A tee has to be accompanied by a somewhat dressy jacket to make it through to this dress code.

Cynthia, that depends entirely on the integrity of the dress and the cardigan. In some instances that combination can look casual, and in other instances business casual. And in other instances still – smart casual. I’ve written about this particular combination before and it’s tricky to get right precisely because of the dreaded “frump factor”. A lot depends on silhouette AND accessories/footwear. And I’ll throw in how a hairstyle and watch can totally effect this look too.

iamang, thank you! It’s interesting that you say I often use belts, whereas I get the opposite impression. I am totally off belts apart from belting my jeans when I tuck in a top!

Suz, have fun building a jacket collection

June 13, 2011 at 8:07 am

StacyJo

(website)

Active Member

Great article – very helpful. I love the jackets Angie…haven’t really paid attention to them in my wardrobe, but seeing what can be done will make it easier to incorporate.

June 13, 2011 at 8:12 am

RoseandJoan

Veteran

As a Mum on the Go who likes an element of polish I can swear by the effectiveness of this formula, on my days of it is almost exclusively my look. Thank you for updating your guidelines Angie I will be sure to come back and visit this post.

June 13, 2011 at 8:21 am

Joy

Veteran

Thank you for this timely update. Today I’m trying to put together a travel capsule for a trip East to meet DS’s future inlaws. I love that smart casual can fit in almost anywhere and needed to be reminded. Ditto what everyone has said in their comments. I’m Team Dressy and pre-YLF couldn’t figure out how to wear denim. Your formula has changed my life and my wardrobe. When items can be mixed I get somuch more use out of them. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

June 13, 2011 at 8:26 am

taylor

Veteran

Such a great post!!
This is my all time favorite formula! and just look at how versatile this formula can be, all those photo’s look beautiful and appropriate for SO many different situations.
The visuals of your interpretations speak volumes about how well this formula works…I love dressing up denim:)

June 13, 2011 at 8:31 am

(website)

Veteran

I never consciously knew this as a formula but it was invariably how I would ‘dress up’ when I lived in cooler weather. Once I bought my first blazer jacket in my mid 30’s a whole world opened up and I quickly amassed close to a dozen cute, cropped jackets. With nice shoes and all the jeans I already had, this became a go-to formula. It’s nice to see it all laid out and broken down. Thanks! (Now if I could just make hot weather outfits as easily lol)

June 13, 2011 at 8:42 am

3style

Veteran

Questions for Angie:

I have to admit that I am still somewhat unclear on this formula. By “dressy” do you mean only items that would work for “business formal” or just “anything which isn’t clearly casual?”

For example, I have a a pair of Tory Burch Miller Thong sandals in the white patent leather. I would never wear them to a job interview, but they are dressy enough that I will wear them to go to a dinner party. Or another example is, I have a dress from Urban Outfitters which is similar in silhouette to their Kimchi Blue Nora Dress. The dress I have is a silk iridescent fabric olive/sage green and it comes down to the top of my kneecap. Again, great for a summer dinner party or even a summer wedding (with the right accessories) but not something I would wear in a context in which being taken seriously and being seen as “in charge” or “powerful” was important to me. Yet, I do feel these items are not clingy/blingy enough to warrant being reserved only for evening, and I do wear them in daytime ensembles.

So my question is, do items like the two mentioned above count as dressy in your formula? Or are you referring to dressy in a more conventional “pumps and sheath dresses” sort of way?

I guess the other part of this is that I have to admit that, thus far, I haven’t been able to shake the feeling that outfits like the one with the black dress, Chanel bag, and denim jacket, tend to look to me like you felt cold, so you grabbed a denim jacket, since you didn’t have anything in your wardrobe that would work better. Obviously, I know that that is not your situation or intent, but especially since I don’t own anything as obviously fancy as the Chanel bag (the T.B. thongs are the only recognizably designer item that I own) I tend to feel that that is the impression I would give off, if I were to include denim with an item as fancy as that black dress.

And I guess, in some sense, as long as it is an overall flattering outfit, looking like you didn’t have a fancier option for jackets seems visually okay, but I guess I feel like culturally it brings attention to what I don’t have, as opposed to highlighting the time and effort which I did put in. To my way of thinking, it verges on “too effortless” a style, in the sense of suggesting one was not planning ahead to purchase or bring a jacket more in keeping with the dress. Consciously, I know this way of thinking about it is antiquated, yet I personally have experienced rather negative attention in cases where I have tried to push the envelope towards smart casual, in a context that it was more expected that I would be wearing straight-up business casual, or traditional dressy event attire. In those contexts, (it was over five years ago) I was wearing smart casual because I simply couldn’t afford to purchase additional dressy pieces.

So, my second question is a variation of my first question. How do you make the pairing of dressy with denim look intentional, when you don’t have anything quite as fancy as the Chanel bag or tipped jacket or black ruffled jacket? The photos you provide with the white and coral jeans seem straight-up business casual to me, in the sense that I think any office (except a business formal one) would be okay with folks wearing that, in my experience. However, if I were to get into the realm of blue denim, and I don’t have anything super fancy, how fancy is fancy enough to seem like it was intentional? And thus, does dressy need to be executed in terms of a specific type of fancy, as per my previous question?

June 13, 2011 at 8:45 am

Antje

Veteran

Great refresher. Thanks to your excellent posts about smart casual over the years, this is definitely a dress code that I can confidently pull off any day now. And what a treat to see so much Angie on one page

June 13, 2011 at 9:17 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Glad that the update is helpful, ladies.

Thanks, Taylor and Antje. You both ROCK the smart casual look

3Style, great questions! I guess you either like the look of contrasting uber dressy with casual or you don’t. I happen to love the intentional contrast and it’s become very much part of my style. The beauty of the formula is that it allows you to dress down dressy items so that they are not just reserved for special occasions. You get a bigger bang for your fashion buck, and that’s fab. I would love to answer your questions in great detail, but it’s hard without a visual link to merchandise. Your Tory Burch sandals sound like lovely dressy flats, and your dress sounds dressy too – both of which could probably work across various dress codes. You don’t need to dress them down to smart casual if you don’t want to. Furthermore, smart casual runs on a continuum and some interpretations are dressier than others. I like dressy clothing, so my smart casual outfits are on the dressier side.

Also, branded designer wear is not a must for smart casual at all. I have included designer pieces here because I happen to have them and wear them. But these looks are mixed with stuff from Zara and H&M too!

June 13, 2011 at 9:17 am

mamark

This is a reminder to me to remember to dress up my denim skirt when I wear it. My weekend uniform, for the warm months anyway, is knit top + cardigan + denim skirt + peep-toe flats or wedge sandals. I suppose all I have to do is carry my nice handbag, add some pearls and a scarf and it would be smart casual.

Angie, you could have included the photo of you from Pasadena in this montage. I loved the look of the bright skirt with your waist-length denim jacket worn closed!

June 13, 2011 at 10:37 am

yellowgirl

Active Member

Angie, what a fabulous post! Thank you for the formula! I printed this out and am putting it into my Style File. I know I can do this look and do it often. And I love how you posted pics to give visuals of how to rock this formula.

June 13, 2011 at 11:27 am

April

Veteran

My wardrobe fantasy life is one where I could dress every day in dark denim, heels, a fitted jacket, and a nice top. Alas, I can’t wear denim to work and I can’t wear much of a heel to do anything beyond sitting around. Dream over.

But I LOVE this look and wear it on weekends whenever possible.

June 13, 2011 at 12:23 pm

Debbie

Veteran

I love this look and try and wear it often. I’m going to print this out and place it near the closet.
Angie I’m so jealous of that Chanel bag!
I love each and every one of these outfits. Very inspiring.

June 13, 2011 at 12:52 pm

rute

Veteran

Love! This is easy chic style!

June 13, 2011 at 1:05 pm

Patty

Veteran

How do we mark this as a favorite!
Thanks for the update Angie!

June 13, 2011 at 1:08 pm

Kookaburra

Active Member

What a great post – it’s just made me have severe climate envy again. Ah, it is so much easier to dress and flatter your figure when you can do a bit of layering.
How do you make a formula work in a climate where the heat and humidity mean that for 5-6 months of the year anything as heavy as jeans or a jacket would just be anathema?

June 13, 2011 at 2:09 pm

san

Veteran

Great reminders Angie and thanks for adding the helpful pictures.

A great tip I have learned from you is to have a denim jacket that is cheeky which keeps it from dragging the outfit way down to a working on the farm look.

Are there any helpful tips on wearing a leather jacket and boots at the same time, such as mixing the color or texture, or just don’t it? I’ve tried it a couple of times and end up changing the jacket or boots because I feel like it is too much leather.

June 13, 2011 at 2:14 pm

LoP

Veteran

Great update, Angie. Especially since smart casual is my uniform.

June 13, 2011 at 3:13 pm

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

The original version of this post was one of the entries that sold me on Ylf, so it’s fabulous to see it updated to reflect both the times and your own evolving views, Angie! Just goes to show that fashion is abalancing act between the timeless and the trends. This really is a fool-proof formula and one that I reach for time and again. In fact, I’m wearing it as I write this (white denim, black sleeveless keyhole tunic, silver leaf bracelet, silver chandelier earrings, snakeskin heeled sandals, red bow bag). Like you, I’m in a line of work where the smart casual formula is always acceptable, so I felt wholely appropriate both at the office and while running errands after work. Thank you for coming up with such a versatile and affordable formula for looking your best!

June 13, 2011 at 3:48 pm

MsMary

Veteran

Love it! I can never have this stuff explained too many times, and I LOVE this crop of beautiful Angie outfit photos!!

June 13, 2011 at 4:51 pm

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Getting dressed is so much easier with Angie here…

June 13, 2011 at 5:22 pm

Kristine

Veteran

Thank you Angie, this post is very helpful! Recently I was trying an outfit with a denim jacket over white denim capris. It felt so casual and I was hoping for smart casual. Now I understand that switching out the denim on either the top or bottom could have quickly elevated it.

June 13, 2011 at 5:26 pm

rosee

Veteran

I want to heart this post!!!

Didn’t see the original post but thanks for providing this one. This is a look I am trying to acquire in my wardrobe right now b/c it really works for me.
Great to see all the Angie shots on 1 page — but I agree you should have added a Pasadena pic with the bright flare skirt and cropped denim jacket.

June 13, 2011 at 5:28 pm

Louise

What about a jean jacket with jeans? I have a short fitted jean jacket that I do wear with jeans. I try to make sure the washes are different so it doesn’t look like I’m trying to be matchy. Do you think this is a good look? I feel great but my daughter pesters me about it.

June 13, 2011 at 5:45 pm

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Mamark and Rosee, you are 100% right. The outfit that I wore to the Pasadena gathering was smart casual!

Thanks, MaryK, Debbie, yellowgirl and Cocolion

Michelle, your outfit sounds fabulous!

Louise, I adore the denim on denim look, but do prefer it with a denim shirt and spiffy jacket.

June 13, 2011 at 6:16 pm

mrseccentric

(website)

Veteran

i love this concept – ‘smart casual’ – it DOES take you just about everywhere you want to go! and the way Angie explains it makes the concept very easy to grasp so you can start putting it to use straightaway.

as a ‘tiny wardrobe afficianado’, one of the aspects i like about this idea is the way you can work it to get a really wide style range out of your closet. the dressier pieces can play with the plainer and casual items for a variety of ‘smart casual’ looks. You can also go all casual/plain for a more dressed down or minimalist feel, or go all dressy for a gala event (or just because :).

i read a book by Emily Cho on style types years ago. For my type one of her questions was ‘you may look different from everyone else, but do you ever look different from yourself?’ That one hit home for me, and reading about the ‘smart casual’ idea here (and seeing lots of great examples!) helped me to integrate my more …… ‘eccentric’ pieces into less dressy looks that still felt very me.

Thank you Angie and You Look Fab -ers! steph

June 13, 2011 at 6:55 pm

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

AniaB, how about matching breezy sleeveless blouses with cropped denim jeans and sandals? Add a lightweight jacket for indoor air-conditioning.

San, that’s a great question. I do wear my leather jackets with knee high leather boots, but their colours and textures are usually different.

June 13, 2011 at 7:08 pm

Refugee

Veteran

Smart casual has become my staple formula since I started working form home. During the summer my smart casual moves to white jeans and denim/cotton skirts. During a recent road trip with our theatre most everyone showed up wearing sweats. One of the actors looked at my outfit (black and white patterned jean skirt red cami and white moto jacket with sandals) and said, ‘you just don’t know how to dress down, do you?’ I’ve decided to take that as a compliment. I was perfecrtly comfortable and felt good in what I was wearing. Thanks for this formula that lets me feel fab whenever I leave the house.

June 13, 2011 at 9:54 pm

Marley

Veteran

Love these photos of you Angie! Soooooo many ways to dress smart/casual – and still express your individual style. This is my favorite and most common way to dress.

June 13, 2011 at 10:58 pm

Bianca

Veteran

All great ideas on how to don Smart Causal with jeans.

June 14, 2011 at 5:27 pm

suzanne

Active Member

Love it! This article couldn’t have come at a better time – I have a birthday party to attend on Thursday evening and I was at a loss as to what to wear. I’m going to dust off one of my (2) pairs of heals and team them with my new jeans. White and black stripey blouse and a monochrome jacket and I’m ready to go – Angie style!

June 20, 2011 at 1:51 am

3style

Veteran

Been mulling over my thoughts on this concept. I am thinking that I like smart casual on Angie in all of the outfits that are high color contrast and/or brightly colored outfits, and am kind of indifferent (lukewarm) with regards to the the low-contrast ensembles…. And my style is primarily low contrast and subdued colors, so I tend to feel like if I mix genres from fancy to casual too much within an outfit, it will just look like I got dressed in the dark. Furthermore, it has dawned on me that when I do do smart casual myself, I do tend towards a more high-contrast look than my typical one. However, I stick primarily to neutrals when I do it, or else I feel like my outfit is wearing me, and not the other way around. On the other hand, I love the bright coral and aqua together on Angie. For me I am only willing to do that exact color combo in swimsuits, because there is a lot of skin to neutralize the colors …. So interesting actually verbalizing this stuff, as I think it now prevents some shopping mistakes I would otherwise make. Thanks so much for the website Angie and Greg.

June 30, 2011 at 6:38 pm

Lina/ Florentzia

(website)

If you don’t ANY sort of denim garments, what are good way to get the smart casual look?
Like for example, Ive many dressy blouses and pretty dresses that Im trying to dress down, but I dont like denim (jeans, colored, skirts, jacket, shirt whatever), any suggestions for this?

Usually, I wear my dresses with classic cardigan, tights & boots or balett flats http://farm4.staticflickr.com/.....fe21_z.jpg
and pencil skirts with cotton blouses, tall boots & v-neck sweater or fitted cardigan but sometimes I feel like this type of outfits are a bit too dressed up for my lifestyle (Im 24, college student, live in a more rural area!).

December 7, 2013 at 9:38 am

ikan

Wow, Angie. I love this! I was just wondering… I’m a 13 yo going for a year end celebration. What do you think?

October 23, 2014 at 11:08 pm

About the Author

Smart Casual for Women

Recent Ensembles

Recent Trends

About the Author

Share this Post

Recent Ensembles

Recent Trends