When you want to dress down a little, but still want to have a smart edge, it can be tricky to get it right. To help you strike exactly the right balance between smart and casual, take a look at our four smart casual clothing ideas for women.
Tired of Jeans?
There is no doubt that jeans are comfortable and an excellent choice for casual wear, but sometimes you might want something just a little more formal and smart looking. chino trousers for women are the perfect smart casual alternative. They are a big hit right now and there are many different colours and styles to choose from. Choose a pair in a bright colour, like hot scarlet or royal blue, and team them with some high strappy sandals or ankle boots for a feminine look. Pastel coloured chinos in soft pinks and baby blues look great rolled up slightly at the hem to give a lovely summery feel. And this look works equally well with flats or heels. If you’re headed to a beach party or barbecue, consider slipping on a cute ankle bracelet for a discreet touch of glamour.
Lose the bags
Another popular choice is cargo trousers for women. These have developed considerably over the years and they are now available in many more sophisticated designs and fabrics. Especially popular at the moment, slim fit cargo trousers give the funky dressed down look but without bulking out your silhouette unnecessarily. Again, many styles are available in more delicate fabrics which help to flatter all figures. This means that everyone can now wear this style with confidence. Watch out for designs that incorporate cuffed bottoms to make sure that you’re bang on trend. Dress them up with stiletto boots, or dress them right down with some chunky flat boots.
Top up
You can determine whether you want to tip the balance more towards smart or casual by choosing your top carefully. For a smarter look, go for a more structured top which will make you feel smarter and more elegant. This might include anything from a glamorous ruffle blouse in silk or chiffon through to a cool colour block jumper. If you want to go more casual, then think about a pretty polo shirt in pastel colours, a ditzy print tee shirt or a laddered jumper.
What’s afoot?
Your footwear can make or break the outfit in terms of getting the smart casual balance just right. A pair of smart leather or suede ankle boots will help to give your outfit a more structured edge, especially if you go for high heels. On the other hand, wedge mules or flat sandals will give a much more relaxed feel. There are also lots of pretty trainers and skate shoes around at the moment in a range of colours and patterns. This makes it easy to find something to work with your outfit and they will give a much more feminine feel to help soften your look.
