What does Smart Casual mean to you?

[LadyVymes]

My DD (3) is receiving an award next week from her disability provider for her improvements in communication and I am stumped on what to wear. They say smart casual but to me that means smart jeans and a shirt. I tend to massively overdress as well so can anyone help me strike the right balance? I am 42 and size 16. I have a lot of Pinup Girl dresses but just don't know if they will be ok. I am very unsure of myself.

Very boring fashion for boring people,who basically want to be invisible and blend in like sheep.

How helpful @Cowpad 🙄

OP, for something like this I’d probably wear black trousers with a smart top, jacket/blazer if it’s cold. Or a dress with tights and boots.

(Congratulations to your DD!)

I'd go smart dark jeans, boots, a shirt and short jacket or something.

Wear what you feel you look nice in and isn’t uncomfortable and is suited to the temperature.

If you are going to be sitting down in a hall, avoid wearing any kind of headdress with large feathers so that the people behind you can’t see.

I'd wear a dress, black tights, flat/chunky ankle boots, maybe a cardi/Jersey blazer. I say this because my work dress code is smart casual and that's what pretty much all the women wear. You can tell when someone's been in court because they're suddenly in a suit or at least a much smaller dress and blazer. My friend calls it teacher wear.

I am quite lax and I’d say no vests, strappy clothes or ripped jeans. Nice top over a T-shirt.

If you feel most comfortable in a dress, do that! I wouldn’t worry about over dressing if it is your usual style

I agree with @JurgensCakeBaby - dressier than jeans but not black tie.

I’m really intrigued about this toddler award ceremony, too!

Dress tights boots.
Dark jeans, smart top (blouse, shirt etc) boots

Well done to your DD

I meant smarter not smaller dress!

That sounds fine for this type of event.

If in doubt switch out the jeans for trousers.

I'd interpret smart casual as jeans and a top, but if my kid was getting an award I'd be wearing a dress 💃

Smart jeans and a shirt sounds absolutely perfect!
This is a children’s event, so it isn’t going to be all dressy,

Congratulations by the way you must be very proud of your Dd

Where is the venue and what time of day?

DH and I thought smart casual meant black jeans instead of blue. We ended up at a do where everyone was dressed to the nines, nothing casual about it. Apparently it can be used to mean a step down from black-tie dinner suits!

A dress, but not an evening gown. Smart trousers like from a suit with a blouse and cardigan or jumper, or a blazer and smart jeans.

Pin up dress is fine!!

Smart casual means anything other than ripped, stained clothes, sleepwear, t-shirts, flipflops etc

It’s more about what not to wear, than anything else. No trainers, flip flops, athleisure or utility clothing.

Smart jeans and a top, or a dress, would all be fine. Nobody is going to be looking at what you’re wearing, so just go with whatever you’re comfortable in.

Thank you everyone for such excellent options. I’m going to have to try on everything and see what is comfortable I think.for those asking about the awards, this is a link to last years awards. www.novita.org.au/news/2020-novita-achievement-award-winners/
My dd has gone from 100% non verbal to using auslan (Australian sign language) Proloquo2Go and some words especially “Mummy & Daddy”. We are extremely proud of her but I have some anxiety over being in public and accepting the award with her and photos etc.

Oh yeah. We’re in Australia but I’m from uk so really value opinions of you all. I have no family or friends here to ask.

Looking at that Op I'd say your DH should be in a suit and you a smart dress, not necessarily a cocktail dress but a business type smart dress.

Definitely not jeans of any colour or description.

That looks smart to me not smart casual, but not formal or evening wear either. So smart trousers and shirt/blouse or a smart dress, a suit would be great but no need for a tie or bow tie

Normally I would say dark jeans and a nice top is fine for smart-casual, which is what I tend to wear on the days I am in work - today black jeans with a black cashmere polo neck. But looking at your link I think this is possibly a bit fancier, and it sounds like a lovely opportunity to celebrate your daughter’s achievements. Wear one of your nice dresses!

It's so hard to put into words what smart casual is, but the function we screwed up at was really smart and dressy - nothing casual about it!

I think the 'casual' means not formal gowns and bow ties, but a normal tie / lounge suit aka business suit - how much easier is it to be a guy. Sort of stuff you'd wear to a wedding without the fascinator or a Christmas party outfit.

Definitely not what people think it is. Google meaning behind dress codes they go
White tie - most formal
Black tie
Smart Casual

www.rafti.com.au/pages/dress-codes-what-is-smart-casual-black-tie-and-lounge-suit

Op enjoy the function, I found an Australian dress code it's male but should help.