The secret to smart casual? Totally fabulous statement tops! (In case you missed it).
Smart casual .
It can be tricky right ?
I know, because this is what I hear all the time.
You want to be chic, slightly dressed up but look effortless. Feel relaxed.
You don’t want to look overdressed or look too try hard !
It might be drinks, it might be BBQ, it might be dinner, a concert or a low key 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 million 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.
What’s new this season: peplum tops, one shoulder and strapless bustier ( good under a blazer).
It might be sheer blouse which I love. (Just add a cami under 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!)
You’ve got the tops but now what to wear on the bottom?
Baggy or dark denim jeans, cotton chinos or slouchy black, white or camel pants.
(Any of these sparkly tops thrown back with denim jeans and flats is smart casual to me)
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 fabric .
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.
White balloon /genie pants are so happening at the moment and I like it: So 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 in black, denim or 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)
Styling ideas:
Grab a sequin/lace top : 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
As you can see in the pic I have styled the choc brown/beige pieces with gold accessories and the black with silver.
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 probably want a blouse because it has drama. And it is quite often prettier.
To finish the look :
Throw a camel or chic white blazer on your shoulders. A crop trench. A short chic leather jacket. 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 block heel is great for walking. White is good. So is silver. Gold of course.
In terms of jewellery:
La 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, major glittery earrings or a pendant.
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 , and FiFi Fav finds on Pinterest
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