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Dumb question about smart casual attire

Posted by on

When I'm in London it'll be over my anniversary so a nice dinner is in order. I'm not planning on packing anything too nice clothes wise. Trying to pack 'lean and mean' as it was but that doesn't mean shorts flip flops and a Bud Lite T-shirt either.

I read at a lot of places "Smart Casual". I've read different descriptions as to what that means. Some say jeans, others say no jeans. Some say jacket while other say nice shirt. My standard way of dressing on vacation is jeans, polo shirt and shoes like Ecco or something in the casual style shoe. Does this qualify or will I need to step it up a bit? I don't want to stick out but at the same time if I can get away without having to pack a special outfit then I'm all for that.

Places I'm looking at are:
Aqua at the Shard
Clos Maggiore
Oxo Tower
Sketch

Someplace like that. Is there one or another one that someone would recommend for a nice night out? Considering my vacation "uniform" is there another place that I should look at? A place that might be more casual but still nice enough to be special?

Posted by
1082 posts

As long as your jeans don't have holes in them you will be fine, I wear a pair of Clothing Arts Business travel pants and either a White travel shirt with front pockets or a polo shirt and have never had any problems getting into average to more upscale restaurants. If your concerned check the restaurants website for a dress code or even better, e-mail them and ask about dress.

Posted by
23642 posts

First, I don't take jeans simply because they are (IMO) hot, heavy, and hard to care for. For me smart casual is nice pair of dress pants (always take one pair), and a collar shirt, perhaps button down, or a knit, golf shirt style with collar probably in subdued colors - black/grey.

Posted by
2456 posts

Too bad you're not a girl, dizny71. Jeans with a few of those horizontal holes seem to be all the rage!

Posted by
1206 posts

A man always looks put together when he is wearing a sport jacket, even if he is wearing jeans. Wearing a sport jacket and jeans looks nice and smart casual, even if he is wearing a polo shirt. Wear a pair of tan khaki pants, a sport jacket ( which you can wear several times during the trip) and a long sleeve shirt. No tie and the casual style shoes or Ecco shoes. You will look smart casual, put together and fit in.

Don't stress about it, just wear the sport jacket and it will be fine.

Posted by
3347 posts

I suggest stepping it up from your usual outfit that you describe. I ditto what Ann said. Or, if you have no sport jacket, wear a collared shirt and tie. Nice slacks would be preferable, but if with a suit jacket, jeans would be OK. So, think nice slacks, blazer/suit jacket, shirt and tie...you need to pick at least two, but I'd suggest three from the list.

My British son-in-law had to learn to dress down to be business casual in the USA. We are overly sloppy here in the US, and, apparently as he indicates, men's clothes don't fit properly. LOL

Posted by
5554 posts

I never wear a shirt and tie when going to a restaurant including some high end celebrity chef ones in London. Jeans and a casual shirt are fine. Some people do like to dress up a bit more but I think it's mainly a generational thing. For many restaurants now the focus is on the food rather than what the clientele are wearing.

Posted by
5697 posts

But what about Tom's question about wedding "picnic attire" ??

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