What does "smart casual" really mean?! ( For a man)

[Wildchild60s]

Just that really. 23 yo son graduated this Summer in computer science and currently job hunting. He expected to wear for interviews the suit he wore for his graduation, but has been invited for an interview where the letter states "dress code" smart casual. He has no interest in clothes and says he's planning to wear his suit trousers and shirt with no tie or jacket. Will this do?

Normal smart casual - jeans and a shirt

Interview - I’d still wear a suit and tie. It’s better to be overdressed than underdressed. It’s bad of them to say smart casual as a dress code for an interview though as it’s very open to interpretation - but I’d definitely play it safe.

It sounds probably OK to me. Hedging his bets. He can always have his tie in his pocket just in case he has misunderstood and needs it.

What sort of job is it for? That's also relevant, although many office jobs have a smart casual dress code now.

Thanks for your replies, that's reassuring. It's an office based job with a tech company. The job doesn't involve meeting the public/ clients.

I think it's more about no trainers jeans or hoodies/sweatshirts.
I'd go shirt trousers shoes and optional tie as PP.

I agree with PPs. For an interview, suit trousers and a shirt (no tie or jacket) is fine. In any other context, I'd say smart casual would be chinos, leather shoes (could be leather trainers but they have to be smart) and a casual shirt.

It (I think) means probably no jeans, definitely no sportswear/leisure wear. But not as formal as jacket and tie. Probably no emo/punk/goth type stylings.

So shirt and chinos or whatever men's trousers are called, polo shirt and smart shorts in summer?

Unsure about the stance on trainers as nowadays they are integral in work wear. I'd say 20 years ago they'd definitely be frowned upon but maybe not now.

He might well turn up and see everyone in much more casual attire in which case he can just follow the lead of others.

Yes in this context Id say suit trousers, shirt open at neck and no tie, jacket just to hold/wear in the way. Not brogues, not but leather shoes of some description (Chelsea boots etc).

My DH works in fintech. It’s all smart casual, he’s senior mgmt. He wears proper trousers (not chinos - wool ones that could (but don’t) form half of a suit) in navy or grey, thin wool polo sweater or button down shirt, boots in winter or nice sneakers in summer, a rain jacket or woolen coat in winter.

DH industry was “smart casual” and he wore the same thing for work for years (zero interest in clothes) - chinos, shirt with no tie, leather shoes. Definitely no shorts. Friday was casual dress and he wore a polo shirt instead of a shirt. He wore a suit or smarter trousers and shirt very occasionally for specific occasions like meeting clients.

I think it means not full suits but also not jeans and hoodies. For an interview I’d definitely go on the smarter side and then he can always dress down a bit if needed (remove jacket and tie). If he gets the job he can see how his colleagues dress and take it from there.

For us - multinational, london headquarteres - smart casual means trousers (suit trousers or chinos) with a shirt. no tie, some wear blazers/suit jackets, most don’t.
very dark jeans are ok, so are jumpers and dark zip through hoodies on top of shirt (our aircon is bonkers - some rooms are 16 degrees, some 28….).
Shoes: dark clean trainers, doc martens, converse, or leather shoes.
No t-shirts, worn out shoes, sportswear, shorts, sandals, stuff with big logos (for all genders)
For an interview, i would recommend suit, but no tie. he can take the jacket off if he sees nobody else is wearing one.

Chinos,Oxford shirt,blazer. Oxfords not brogues or suede Chelsea boots.

If the interview instructions say smart casual - don’t turn up in a suit. Unless you want to score zero in the ‘understands instructions’ section 🙄 Chinos and a smart shirt would be my go-to.

What he proposed is fine. Tech companies are often relaxed on atire.