The secret to smart casual ? Fabulous, totally chic tops ! #luxetoless.

Smart casual .
It can be tricky.
I know, because I hear it all the time :
You want to be chic, slightly dressed up but look effortless. Feel relaxed.
My tip!
It’s about table top dressing.
Which is how you dress from the waist up.
It’s a FiFi philosophy:
You want the attention on top of the body (everything else is hidden under the table!)
Which can only mean one thing:
Fabulous tops !
Statement tops and pretty blouses.
Just as chic and easy as dresses but ten times as versatile.

What to look for in a smart casual top?
You want a soft floaty blouse,  puff sleeves, shoulder pads, balloon sleeves or sequins.
Something that has low key evening written all over it.
A big poet sleeve or a big dramatic cuff always looks so right.
A cream or white blouse is my pick ( white next to face takes years off)( I should know!).
If you go for black, make sure it has shine, texture, embellishment.
That means lace, velvet or sequins.
Ignore bright colours ( hot pink never looks expensive, unless it is) and those pesky old lady prints. Aging. Never versatile. Remember you are getting the drama in the shape not the colour.
(Update black and white into new strong modern shapes : Stops you looking like a waitress!)

By the way what’s the difference between a blouse and a shirt ? A blouse is something to wear at night and might be collarless and pretty and floaty. A shirt? It’s very day time with pockets and simple collar and cuffs. For smart casual you want a blouse because it has drama. And it quite often prettier.

The key to a smart casual look?
Style any of these chic tops back with low key bottoms: jeans, chinos or slouchy pants
It’s modern and chic !
Think contrasts.
It’s the key to effortless chic:  tough with pretty, casual and dressy, with soft and hard.
And Denim or cotton pants with pretty evening fabrics in the blouse.

What bottoms to choose?
I’d go for slouchy jeans or dark denim flares. Love the idea of camel cotton chinos with a sequin top.
Or try black high waist pleat pants with a balloon or wide leg.
If you’re heading somewhere warm swap out the black pants for white pants or white jeans.

To finish the look : Throw on a camel or chic white blazer. And a black blazer is always right at night.
Of course a beige trench is totally chic too.
But you don’t need to wear it …HA: Just throw it nonchalantly sitting ON your shoulders

The sneaky trick to all this styling?
Shoes !
Change your shoes, change the look.
Pull on strappy kitten heels or pointy flats. White is good. So is silver.
In terms of jeweller love a pearl drop earrings at the moment. Subtle but adds light next to the face. Low key chic.
This is good ! Or try a bold silver or gold cuff or major glittery earrings.
Then grab a chic clutch: a quality designer bag will always take it to another level.
Go for a black, tan or silver bag to break it up .
Now get shopping !
Click on the slideshow below …my picks from luxe to less.

Always more on shopwithfifi on LTK , the SHOP pages and FiFi Fav finds pinterest page

Let me know if you have questions..!