In most office roles, staff are required to dress appropriately, which used to mean wearing a smart suit, but in many cases smart casual attire is now permitted. 

For this style of dress code, it’s important that you always dress to impress, but also that you don’t stand out and look too stiff and uncomfortable. 

Combining the two can be a challenge, particularly for men who are used to wearing formal wear to work. To help, we’ve put together a list of tips to give you a casual look that will give the right impression. 

Choose Designer Footwear For A Casual Yet Upmarket Look

You might think that as your feet are at the bottom of your body, what you wear on them won’t matter as much as the rest of your outfit, but many people judge others by the shoes they wear, so it’s important that you choose well.For smart casual offices, choose comfort and fashion by going for a pair of designer sneakers. Brands like Fendi offer a wide range of styles, so you can find a pair that will look good with your choice of outfit. Visit SSENSE to see the latest styles from across a range of designers and view the best Fendi options here. Whatever style you go for, make sure that they’re always clean at work, so that everyone can see them in the best light and know that you take good care of your footwear. 

Bold Logos Show Your Affiliation To Quality Brands

If you want to wear a more relaxed style of clothing, like a sweatshirt, then you can make this look a little more upmarket by choosing one with a logo on it. This will show that you’ve spent money on quality clothing, rather than selecting any old garment. Pair your logo with plain items of clothing to make sure that your outfit doesn’t look too cluttered and messy. This approach will add a small touch of style to your look and give others the impression that you’ve taken pride in your clothes. 

Dress Up Even The Most Relaxed Of Outfits With A Classic Blazer

Smart casual office wear means that suits are out, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t use part of one to make yourself look presentable. A blazer or suit jacket is the perfect garment for those who want to dress smart casual for the office, then quickly dial back their outfit to casual for the evening without going home to change. A classic black, grey or navy blazer will go with everything and make you look stylish, yet at the same time relaxed. 

Polo Shirts Are The Perfect Alternative To A Stiff Collar

Traditional collared shirts can be hard to dress up, particularly if the rest of your outfit is relaxed, but wearing a t-shirt or jumper can look too casual. Polo shirts are the perfect middle-ground, as they feel comfortable but are smart enough to give a good impression. Make sure that you buy a fitted polo shirt, so that you can show your sophistication. If your polo shirt is too baggy, then you will look slovenly and unkempt. Choose a classic colour without a bold print or go for a designer label to add gravitas to your outfit. 

Clothes Should Be Fitted But Not Too Tight 

All smart formal clothes don’t need to be as well-fitted as formal wear, but they should be fitted to avoid being too baggy and looking oversized. Try shopping at higher-end clothing stores where the outfits on the rail are fitted as standard. This will help you look good, feel comfortable and fit in perfectly with your office’s dress code. 

Swap Your Tie For A Scarf 

Ties are hard to style casually, so avoid wearing one in your smart casual office, and instead try using a scarf. Depending on the style of scarf you select, you can make it look casual and relaxed but also sophisticated and stylish, turning your outfit into something you’ll enjoy wearing at the office. There are a variety of ways to knot a scarf, making this a versatile option that can be dressed up or down, depending on the situation. 

Luxury Watches Add A Touch Of Class To Your Outfit

Whatever you wear, you’ll look good if you pair your clothes with a high-end watch. These marvels of precision engineering will mark you out as a discerning dresser who has chosen comfort in their clothes, but never compromises when it comes to their timepiece. Wearing a men’s watch with flair takes skill, but if you learn how to team your timepiece with anything then you’ll be able to make it stand out and show yourself as a true connoisseur. 

Dressing for work can be a minefield, but if you follow these tips, you’ll find it much easier to combine casual comfort with sophisticated style.