What does Smart/Casual look like?

[whatsausername]

I work for a bank and I’ve been invited to an event at the head office in Edinburgh.

The dress code is “Smart/Casual”

what the hell does that mean in 2025?! For reference, I’m mid 30s tall and size 14

trousers? Jeans? A dress!?

lord help me

I would take that as men not having to wear a tie; yes a jacket, but not necessarily a suit. No jeans.

for women, I’d say you’ve great flexibility, but not jeans; no leggings or trainers; and more smart than casual. Trousers and a blouse, or a dress, but I wouldn’t go full matching skirt/dress and jacket. Is there a networking element, where you’re on your feet a lot? Start with footwear (not trainers, but loafers/brogues/ballets for flats, if moving around a lot) and work upwards. I get very self-conscious of clacky heels.

I got a couple of great tweedy Chanel-style jackets lately, one in Mango and one in H&M, which go over plain dresses or trousers with tops.

Re post on Style and Beauty . You will get some great answers. The posters over there can get really invested in a thread like this and give you great ideas and advice . Good Luck .

Also , give your post a little more info and the advice you get will be even more focused . Day / night . Day into night event ? What’s going to happen during the day ? Will you be meeting important heads of departments or sitting in an auditorium all day ? Is there a sit down dinner or buffet ?

What do you usually wear for work?

I think @SallyDraperGetInHerenailed it

Id wear black barrel leg rousers, top and non matching blazer. Or a shirt dress or a skirt and top with loafers or boots. Depends on if you need to make an impressions!

To add: wearing a strong colour in a sea of navy men is very effective.

Probably best defined by what it doesn’t include. No jeans, trainers, hoodies, casual summery dresses. Add a blazer or smart jacket and you are sorted. Many might argue that a smart jeans with a blazer fits in but it wouldn’t comply with ‘business casual’ in my mind.

It’s a day event, 10-4. And yes the purpose is mainly networking so I expect us to be on our feet a lot. They’ve said lunch provided but I’m not sure if it will be buffet styled or not.

i usually wear a work uniform so I actually expected to go in my uniform until the invite came through!

Thanks, I don’t post on here very often and I wasn’t sure where to post it.

I love this idea. I might do this!

Think practically - how are you travelling and what bag to take too.

for a 10-4 day event on my feet id go for the barrel trousers and loafers and probably a striped top. I would not wear bright colours because I’m a wallflower! I’d take a smart backback or cross body bag big enough for small water. Do not carry masses you will regret it! Speaks from bitter experience

Hi @whatsausername . I wear scrubs all day so I won’t try and give you style advice as I’m used to dressing myself daily without much thought and defo no networking for me .

I like the bold colour advice too . Not many perks in the corporate world for women I’m told so this at least is one of them . I hope you enjoy your day . X

With your update @whatsausername id definitely go with trousers, with pockets. You don’t want to be carrying a handbag around, so phone and lipstick in your pocket. If they are giving out name badges, it might be a pin one, so don’t wear your best silk blouse!

So: wide legged trousers in a neutral colour with a tshirt or shell top in the same tone, and a cropped jacket in a striking colour like this
shop.mango.com/ie/en/p/women/jackets/tweed/pocket-tweed-jacket_87010655?c=59&talla=18&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PMAX+-+1WOMAN+-+IE&utm_campaignid=71700000112465501&utm_content=&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADvS0Eaf-zGoMwLho6S_ZHPX-PUAT&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7dm-BhCoARIsALFk4v_rfOoJdbu-u0soA5lXh5T0kbG7yzb0qhiUzYd-0wh7DMRvcl08g6IaArGVEALw_wcB