I’ve been very lucky over the years that I’ve always worked in places that had relaxed dress codes—we’re talking ripped blue jeans, trainers and a tee relaxed. But my latest job sees me sitting in a rather more corporate setting. And while they aren’t expecting a suit and tie (thank god, I just can’t do formalwear), it has inspired me to smarten up my wardrobe across the board.

Smart casual is a term that gets batted around a lot; but often gets attributed to style combos that don’t quite fit its criteria. It’s not about wearing joggers with a shirt (though this could be workable) or taking your tie off (this is more business casual), it’s about blending smart and casual fabrics as well as shapes and styles.

So as I embark on this journey I thought I’d share my learnings with you. In this look, I made a really simple switch up—I’d usually wear this look with my jeans, but I swapped them for a formal pair of Uniqlo trousers. Their new Ezy ankle trousers are the perfect smart casual choice for work. I paired them with some box fresh ecco trainers.

What do you think?

Jacket, New Look | T-shirt, J.Lindeberg | Glasses, Garret Leight California Optics

All shots by Adorngirl

A Guide to Smart Casual