“Smart Casual” conundrum

[LostInTheLaw]

I’m going to dinner in London in a reasonably posh restaurant in a couple of weeks with a group of soon to be new legal colleagues.

I’m told the dress code is smart casual. I don’t really know what that means. My wardrobe is either suits for client meetings or Seasalt type dresses plus tights for when I’m in the office/WFH.

I’m looking for ideas really on what to wear to dinner? I’m 5’5, size 24, curvy, dark hair, very pale skin, short hair. I’ve got some black kitten heels and after that I’ve drawn a blank. Money is tight so nothing more than £100.

Has anyone got any ideas? I am probably the least stylish person you’ll come across so you probably need to bear that in mind too!

Could you try the bottom half of one of your business suit with a nice blouse or thin jumper?

That’s a good idea - just need to look for a blouse that sits in the not the kind of thing you’d wear to an important but not so chilled it would be for going to Tescos in I guess.

If it's an after-work event, all the other people there will be in their (business casual) office wear so that's a good starting point. Is it a law firm team? What do you plan on wearing to the office when you start?

If it were me, I'd be wearing smart trousers, a blouse or smart jumper, and brogues.

A long skirt or officey dress would work well too. But I'd skip the heels

I think they’ll all be travelling separately and not from offices (oddly), and yes lawyers so used to be v smart but since covid far less so.

are the heels just a no go these days? I read something that said they were ‘in’ so I thought I guess I’d better have some of those then! I do worry that given my size it’ll look a little bit unbalanced.

Which restaurant is it ?
London is so chilled unless it's really high end.

I’m a huge fan of Closet dresses for smart casual. This one might be a bit smart but with tights and chunky flat boots would look good. They don’t have a big range on their website at the moment in your size but you can get loads on Vinted too

https://closetlondon.com/closet-curves-puff-sleeve-dress/

Hope you find an outfit in which you feel comfortable. Smart casual is I feel one of the more tricky codes, once which reveals a lot about you. More formal codes and sports or actual casual are all pretty clear.

Smart casual is so much more a matter of displaying your own style. Which can be ideal, or terrifying.

In London these days I would tend to start with the shoes and yes, flat in less you are definitely arriving and leaving by taxi. At this time of year, I'd then go for fine but opaque, thermal tights then probably a casual woollen dress. Or tailored trousers, good blouse then casusl (maybe leather) jacket. In fact, throwing a leather jacket over any more formal outfit does imo turn it j in not smart casual.

Hope it goes well for you.

Trousers and a jumper or t-shirt and smart cardigan with flat shoes or trainers (not gym style trainers and NBs would be too casual).

Or I go short mini skirt, jumper, black opaque tights and boots with my nice smart wool winter coat and maybe my fedora if the weather is really cold.

I’m a City lawyer and rarely see anyone in heels these days. As most offices now only require you to dress formally for client meetings, my team has a mix of people in lounge wear at one end of the spectrum and full suits at the other end. I think @ georginalennon1 on Instagram has a good modern take on smart casual and my style generally reflects hers unless I’m going to a client meeting. I would go for wide leg black trousers, smart flat shoes, a belt with some nice metal, either a white blouse (worn open necked with tiered necklaces) or a tucked in fine knit sweater if it’s cold. I mentioned this on another thread today but the one thing that will always elevate your casual/smart casual outfit is grooming - wear what’s in your wardrobe and spend your £100 on a good blow dry, brow shaping, nails and a decent lipstick and you will still look flawless in (nice) jeans and a fine knit sweater.

Suit trousers, smart flats and a fine knit jumper would be perfect.

Agree with dialling up the grooming. For work functions, if I’m not sure on how to pitch the dress code I err on the more casual side but make sure my hair and make up is immaculate. I always, always feel more confident looking fabulously underdressed rather than the other way round.

Depending on your Seasalt dresses, could wear one of those with a smart blazer/jacket and boots or smart shoes. I often do that for smarter occasions. Can also raid eBay or similar for 'used' clothes, often in barely worn/excellent condition to help with costs.

Thanks all - lots of ideas. I think the kitten heels might go back by the sounds of it. I’d far rather be told to wear a suit and have done to be honest. I’ve been a lawyer for 25 years in London and the regions….was always easier in the past with just a suit. I’m such a style reject!

A lot of what people are suggesting here I'd call 'smart' rather than 'smart casual'. A blazer with a dress is what women wear to dress up in many offices now as suits are not so common. Suit trousers and smart blouse is also not smart casual for me as I could wear that to an interview.

I usually create smart casual by wearing one tailored item (which it sounds like you may have a choice of) - either trousers, skirt or jacket, I then team it with something more casual.

Tailored trousers with a sleeveless top and long cardigan or duster coat
Tailored jacket with darker jeans, cords or wide leg jogger style trousers and crepe style t shirt
Tailored skirt or wide leg crop trousers with a fine knit jumper and leather jacket

Shoes at the moment are platform trainers (R & B Puffy or Park Ups), brogues/loafers or sock boots.

Oh forgot to add, I also like the look of a shirt, pop over blouse, long sleeve t shirt or jumper under a sleeveless trench or tailored style coat, as you can also keep it on in the restaurant - weather dependent though as difficult to wear another coat over, so perhaps more of a spring look.

the one thing that will always elevate your casual/smart casual outfit is grooming - wear what’s in your wardrobe and spend your £100 on a good blow dry, brow shaping, nails and a decent lipstick and you will still look flawless in (nice) jeans and a fine knit sweater.

Excellent point @Mumsanetta

And then focus on making that level of grooming your everyday look. win:win

Seasalt type dresses plus tights
Sounds fine to me

www.next.co.uk/shop/gender-women-category-dresses/sizetype-curve-style-wrap?p=1#1725.3333740234375

What about a wrap dress? I'm a size 20 and find them flattering and you can dress up and down. I wear them as smart casual.

Dark wide high waist jeans, a silky shirt and blazer with trainers or boots (western style)

I like this. I'd wear it in the circumstances you describe.

https://closetlondon.com/closet-curves-kimono-midi-dress-purple/

Oooooh, this is lovely! Just shown it to DH (who is as good with clothes as I am but will tell me what he likes) and he likes that.

I also like this one: https://www.next.co.uk/style/su158609/q79841#q79841

but maybe it’s a bit folky. But really that’s me. I’ve been looking at geometric black and white shirt dresses (a colleague has one and she looks stunning in it) but it’s just not very me. Which is why I can’t bring myself to buy one like that.

Personally I think print is harder to make look really smart so I don't tend to buy it for more formal wear although I also like it in my day to day.

But if you like the print dress and feel it's more your style then I suggest you go for it. You'll be much happier (and confident) in a dress you feel comfortable in.

It's a nice dress and perfectly suitable for the occasion you describe.

Love the Next one.

I think yr Seasalt dress and tights would cover it.

But agree the description varies from smart jeans and top to wearing a dress like your going to a wedding.

Knitted pinafore something like this (style and fabric) strikes a good balance. You could wear some colour underneath if preferred.