The dreaded 'smart casual' event

[huck]

Input please guys.

Going to a good friend's 40th birthday/10th anniversary party this weekend. Is at a nice hotel with meal, entertainment etc. Will be a fairly small number of friends, not a huge affair. Dress code is smart casual.

I'll pretty much go anywhere nice nowadays with a jacket, dark jeans, nice shoes and collared shirt and have never felt underdressed - it always looks like I've made at least a bit of an effort (unless, of course, the event has called for smart or formal). I can't stand chinos and think jeans, done right, is fine. I intend to wear similar to the party or am I about to make a faux-pas? The term itself isn't particularly helpful, IMO, too nebulous.

So, what do you lot think? Advice gratefully received.

[Benstan]

Options are
call your mate and ask, or his partner if it's a surprise. 
drop into the hotel and mooch around (what are people wearing?)
wear what you describe.

I agree re dark jeans and jackets with a smart shirt.  It's a weekend do with friends, so what you suggest sounds spot on - if it were your do, you'd want your friends to be comfortable (rather than in suits etc) and that is the essence of etiquette.  I'd guess your mate will be more pleased to see you than your outfit and the hotel will be pleased you're not in trainers.

Enjoy the night out.

[awj85]

i heard that jacket and jeans do not go together.  Jeans are not smart, a jacket is = not a good combination.  Unless your name is Jeremy Clarkson!  Still what do i know, i dont even own a suit!  ) )

[huck]

Cheers guys.

There's jeans and then there's jeans. Ditto with jackets.

[Imy]

Dude, Jackets and Jeans go fine together. Obviously depends on the pair of jeans and the jacket but pair them up smartly and it will swing. shoes are the important factor here as this will hold the outfit together.

[X5Sport]

A quick 'recce' just in case, but certainly all the 'smart casual' events I've been to recently have been a blazer/jacket and smart-ish trousers with either an open collar shirt, or occasionally a tie.

I used to own about 5 suits as my then employer insisted on Business Dress all the time.  Once we got taken over a lot more casual approach came in with tee-shirts and jeans as long as we weren't in customer meetings, the jeans weren't torn/worn and the tee-shirts were not 'rude' etc.  Much nicer environment.

Richard

[Sanj]

No belly overhang will also help with the image.  ;D

[Raj]

[quote="Sanj"]
No belly overhang will also help with the image.  ;D
[/quote]

True as you've been caught out by that a couple of times  >:D

[Rusty]

[quote="Raj"]
[quote="Sanj"]
No belly overhang will also help with the image.  ;D
[/quote]

True as you've been caught out by that a couple of times  >:D
[/quote]
)

I would go with the original suggestion.  With the right jeans, jacket and shoe combo, even top hotels are happy


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[535dboy]

Huck you'll be fine as you described.

Personally I would probably have smart trousers but as you say smart jeans I think will be fine, assuming dark in colour.

Wouldn't listen to X5sport as most of his friend in his age group are currently having 70 th birthday functions with Corduroy trousers (with the damp patch around the groin area) and tweed jackets.

Enjoy. 

[Lee4.8is]

Another cracking thread this is, I feel I am in the presence of fashion gurus!

I do agree the term smart/casual is hopeless you are either dressed smart or casual in my eyes there isn't an inbetween, but tbf I hardly set the world on fire when it comes to style, but you lot have given my some tips for the future & I will make sure my belly isn't hanging out in whatever I wear.

[Reusch]

Thought I'd gone on the Gok Wan forum (is there one) ).

[huck]

[quote="535dboy"]
Huck you'll be fine as you described.

Personally I would probably have smart trousers but as you say smart jeans I think will be fine, assuming dark in colour.

Wouldn't listen to X5sport as most of his friend in his age group are currently having 70 th birthday functions with Corduroy trousers (with the damp patch around the groin area) and tweed jackets.

Enjoy.
[/quote]

LOL! I thought it was going so un-535 till the last bit!!

Thanks all!

[X5Sport]

I'm just 50, not nearly 70....... >:D

No cords, but with a rug rat, there may occasionally be a damp patch - from him, not me.......I know, too much information )

[535dboy]

[quote="huck"]
[quote="535dboy"]
Huck you'll be fine as you described.

Personally I would probably have smart trousers but as you say smart jeans I think will be fine, assuming dark in colour.

Wouldn't listen to X5sport as most of his friend in his age group are currently having 70 th birthday functions with Corduroy trousers (with the damp patch around the groin area) and tweed jackets.

Enjoy.
[/quote]

LOL! I thought it was going so un-535 till the last bit!!

Thanks all!
[/quote]

This place would be dull without me!