The secret to smart casual? Fabulous, totally chic tops ! #luxetoless.
Smart casual .
It can be tricky right ?
I know, because this is what I hear you tell me all the time .
Especially this time of year right?
You want to be chic, slightly dressed up but look effortless. Feel relaxed.
You don’t want to look overdressed or too try hard !
It might be drinks, it might be BBQ, it might be dinner, a concert or an event.
But it’s not black tie and it’s not weekend casual: That area in the middle is pretty broad isn’t it .
The secret to smart casual?
Table top dressing.
Which is how you dress from the waist up.
It’s a FiFi philosophy:
You want the attention and focus 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 more versatile.
What to look for in a smart casual top?
You want a soft floaty blouse, puff sleeves, shoulder pads, balloon sleeves, lace 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!)
What do I mean by versatility ?
Grab a sequin/lace top and toss it OVER a white tank, pull on baggy blue jeans, flat sandals/birks = low key casual.
Sequin/lace top, pull on tan cotton chinos or black barrel jeans, strappy kitten heels and a chic clutch= smart casual.
Sequin/lace top pull on tailored pants or a midi skirt , sparkly heels, metallic clutch, dangly earrings = event dressing
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 is quite often prettier.
The key to a smart casual look?
Low key bottoms: jeans, cotton chinos or slouchy pants
It’s modern and chic !
Think contrasts.
It’s the DNA of effortless chic: tough with pretty, casual and dressy, with soft and hard.
Denim or cotton pants ( or just pants !) with a blouse or top in a pretty evening fabrics .
What bottoms to choose?
I’d go for slouchy jeans, barrel jeans or dark denim. 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.
Of course a midi skirt is also great , especially a denim skirt. Or something in cotton.
A fabric that will dress it down is important.
(Black tie ? Joosh any of these tops up with a black velvet/lace/luxe skirt and more glamorous accessories)
To finish the look : Throw on a camel or chic white blazer. And a black blazer is always right at night too.
A beige trench is totally chic. But you don’t need to wear it …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. A black heel is great for walking. White is good. So is silver. Gold of course.
In terms of jewellery: love a pearl drop earrings at the moment. Subtle but adds light next to the face. Low key chic.
Love and adore a bold silver or gold cuff or major glittery earrings.
Grab a chic clutch: a quality designer bag will always take it to another level.
Go for a black, gold or silver bag to break it up .
Now get shopping !
Click on the slideshow below …my picks from luxe to less
Always more on LTK , the SHOP page and FiFi Fav finds on Pinterest
Let me know if you have questions..!
