Our Masterclass on Men's Smart Casual Outfits

Notoriously one of the most misunderstood dress codes in menswear, figuring out a suitable men’s smart casual outfit can seem daunting. But with a little bit of knowledge, it's actually way easier than you might think.

Fortunately, the team at Marc Darcy are always here to help you out with sartorial styling and casual suit know-how. We’ve pulled together some of our best tips, tricks, and advice to help you master the art of smart casual outfits for any occasion…

Make some swaps

When it comes to men’s smart casual, it’s always easier to dress down rather than up. Making a sharp suit look more relaxed is a lot simpler than trying to smarten up when you’re wearing jeans and a t-shirt. So, we recommend starting with a gorgeous, well-tailored suit and making some simple swaps, such as:

Add a simple knit

Knitwear is a totally underrated part of men’s styling, but it can be the perfect option to take your outfit from boardroom to the bar – all while still staying on the smarter end of smart casual.

For evening parties, switching out your button up with a thinner, soft-knit jumper or roll neck instantly relaxes your look while still making sure you look like you’ve put in the effort to get dressed for the occasion. A high neck looks particularly good against the lapels of a suit blazer, adding different dimensions to your outfit.

Our top pick? The Ross Grey Check Two Piece Suit. This pattern brings the personality, and looks effortlessly smart casual paired with a thin knit in any colour.

Or, try swapping out your blazer for a chunky knit cardigan over a shirt and/or waistcoat. This is perfect for afternoons where you still want to look your best, but don’t want the structure of a suit blazer. 

Top tip: whichever option you choose, make sure to choose complementary colours. Sophisticated men’s smart casual relies on a refined colour palette, so stick to neutrals or block colours for the ultimate outfit.

Switch out the formal shirt

Too hot for knitwear? To master the art of a men’s smart casual outfit, we recommend swapping out the formal button up shirt under your suit blazer for something a little more relaxed.

At the more casual end of the scale, a polo is a comfortable option that still has the structure of a collar. Or, you could ditch a collar all together and pair your casual suit with a crew neck t-shirt. The rounded neckline contrasts with the structure of the lapels to instantly relax your outfit.

Top tip: if you do choose to wear a round or crew neck t-shirt, we recommend sticking to solid colours to avoid clashing. Need some inspiration? Check out the Marvel guys – both Robert Downey Jr and Chris Hemsworth have rocked the casual “suit with white or black t-shirt” look…

Step away from the dress shoe

There is always a time and a place for a classic dress shoe or a brogue – but men’s smart casual isn’t it. One of the easiest ways to instantly dress down a suit is to step out of the dress shoes and into something more casual like a sneaker or loafer.

For pretty much any colour of suit, it’s hard to go wrong with a clean white trainer to relax your look. You will probably even feel more relaxed out of the dress shoe, which will definitely help you sell the smart casual vibe.

Struggling to know where to start? We love the Kris Sky Blue Tweed Two Piece Suit matched with a sleek pair of white trainers. The blue and white are the perfect duo to create a relaxed, men’s smart casual outfit for any occasion…

On the other hand, loafers, usually without socks, are a simple way to make a formal outfit more daytime friendly. They’re perfect for everything from summertime weddings to casual office parties where you still want to look elegant – and of course occasions where a trainer would be out of place, no matter the style.

Just remember to make sure that any footwear you choose is clean: we’re going for casual, not scruffy.

Ditch the waistcoat and tie

We love a waistcoat. They look cool, are an instant way to elevate an outfit, and add a bit more personality. But, when you’re aiming for men’s smart casual, you might want to consider leaving your waistcoat in your wardrobe. Three piece suits are definitely more formal than any men's smart casual affair calls for. 

The same can be said for ties. While these can be the perfect accessory to finish an outfit, when it comes to men’s smart casual they’re often a little too formal for most people. Dropping the tie is an easy way to relax your style, even if you keep your buttons done up.

Instead of a waistcoat or tie, we recommend accessorising with a soft pocket square, nice watch, or jewellery to add your own flair or personal style. Or, let your blazer do the talking. A well-fitted, structured blazer adds layers to your outfit (and not just literally).

Mix and match

When you buy a suit set, more often than not you’re planning to wear both pieces at the same time. But there is no rule that says you have to – especially if you’re looking for a smart casual outfit.

For example, you could take your suit blazer and pair it with a nice pair of dark wash jeans, a button up shirt and Chelsea boots for a smart casual outfit that still shows the effort you’ve put in.

Or, use our tip from before and wear your nice suit trousers with a loose-fitting knit jumper and smart shoes for a more toned down formal look; perfect for relaxed evenings after work, or dinner with friends at a restaurant. Our favourite piece to get this look? The Enzo Navy Chinos.

Men’s smart casual styling tips

Once you’ve settled on the bare bones of your chosen smart casual outfit, there are some extra styling tweaks you can make to elevate your look.

Roll up your sleeves

Effortlessly charming, there’s something sophisticated yet relaxed about rolling up your suit sleeves. For formal shirts, don’t just scrunch the sleeve. Instead, we recommend unbuttoning the cuff, and rolling it over two to three times until your sleeve is at your elbow. From there you can push it up more if needed.

If you’re still wearing your blazer, pull your sleeve up to the height you want (either elbow or mid forearm), then fold the cuff under the sleeve to help it stay up. Alternatively, you can pinch the fabric at your elbow and fold upwards for a clean but casual look.

Top tip: not all blazers will suit being rolled at the sleeves. If the opportunity is there, we recommend taking off your blazer and rolling your shirt sleeves instead.

Leave the top button undone

Need to wear a full suit, but want to dress down for a more casual occasion? Leave the first couple of buttons undone for a more relaxed fit. But don’t go too far. As a general consensus, we recommend leaving:

• One button undone: for daytime looks where you still look professional and put together without the intense formality of a tie.

• Two buttons undone: for evening activities and nights out, where you want to look more casual and approachable.

Anything more than two buttons is open to debate, as it can make your shirt look uneven or gape open at the neck. 

Top tip: looking for sartorial inspiration with this look? Andrew Garfield is a great example of how ditching the top two buttons can make a casual suit look effortless. Explore our collection of Men’s Shirts to find the perfect one to match your style.

Cuff your trousers

Cuffing your trouser legs, especially if you’re also wearing loafers or sneakers, is a great way to dress down a full suit. Cuffed legs look better on lighter coloured suits, and is a wonderful way to wear a casual suit in summer – you can look elegant, relaxed, and cool in the higher temperatures.

Top tip: if you regularly wear your trousers cuffed, consider getting them tailored, or put a tacking stitch in place to help them stay neatly at the right length.

Master men’s smart casual with Marc Darcy

Men’s smart casual doesn’t have to be scary. In fact, smart casual outfits are a great way for men to play with their fashion choices and find their personal style. But, as we said, it all starts with a great suit.

At Marc Darcy, we have a suit for every occasion. Whether you need to look dashing in one of our Wedding Suits, or want to get dressed up (or down) for evenings out with friends in a classic Two Piece Suit, we’ve got you covered.

Explore our collections today. And, for more style guides and sartorial advice, check out the Marc Darcy blog…

Spring Style Guide for Men: What To Buy Now | A Guide to Styling Bold, Colourful Suits | Date Night Looks: The Ultimate Style Guide