What's "Smart casual attire"?

Boatwrench

Boatwrench

NAXJA Forum User
Location
Petaluma, CA
Well while most of you are out enjoying the Independence day celebration, I'll be at my niece's outdoor western style BBQ wedding. The invitation states "Smart casual attire appropriate".

There's a reason the Coast Guard makes us wear uniforms. Western style to mean would seem Jeans, boots and nice button shirt. But.... "smart casual attire" clueless.

thanks,
Tom
 
I would say "smart" = kakis, "casual" = nice full or ( i would go with) one of those partial button down shirts like a polo. I have several of those, but they are not as dressy as polos, they are beach wear. Thats my opinion.
 
Western casual

Smart, casual attire for western wear means you scrape the manure off the boots and wear the felt hat instaed of the straw.:D :D :D
 
IMO I dont think you could do wrong with "business casual", matter of fact that is probally what the sender was saying. Since its not a "business" event it would sound stupid to say such. Some people hear casual and think "hell i can wear my bud lite t shirt, and ratty blue jeans" this is why the sender had to include "SMART"! I'll start from square one and assume your clueless..... if i missed something hollar.

Business casual includes
-"khakis" not the $15 uncuffed versions at Old Navy, those are for high school kids on a friday night. Get a nice wrinkle resistant pair that are cuffed, and pleated, if your in a hurry go to the mall and buy some Dockers by Levis, or do www.eddiebauer.com and pay for express delivery..... you can get em in a couple of days

-"chinos" a tad nicer than khakis ...but not as nice as slacks or trousers

-"garbardine trousers" shows the most class.... only thing is you would have to wear a lil nicer shirt, nicer belt, and nicer shoes for them to look right.

IMO I would do the khakis and nice button up shirt...a nice chambray or poplin shirt would be the way to go. A polo style shirt will work as well, but doesnt look as nice IMO. The best advice i can give ya is to poke around at www.eddiebauer.com ...the prices are good, the service is great and they sorta define business casual and are pretty conservative style wise, the stuff is made well and there is a sale on right now.... did i mention one stop shopping!

Whatever you do get a belt and shoes that match IE: Black belt w/black shoes or brown and brown. If you do the Khakis and the button up shirt you can get away w/ almost anything other than gym shoes, NO GYM SHOES, I have seen too many times where a guy is wearing khakis, a polo and a pair of Nike.... you will look like a fool ,,,, do not do this!
..... even canvas boat shoes "can" work. I would do a leather shoe, like the comfort sole oxfords that are out or if penny loafers are your thing then do that. Look around and pick something that will make you comfortable and fits "your style" .

The only thing that could throw a wrench in this is the word "Western" I got a cousin in AZ that is a successful business man and he considers "new , clean, pressed, wrangler blue jeans? to be dress clothes!!!! and gets away w/ it out west. In Chicago no way that would fly. So...... You may be best to call the sender and ask them..... that would take the pressure off ...

Regards
Chewy
 
hey i bought my nice wrinkle free khakis at Kmart when they were going out of business, got short fat kid pants for about 10 bucks a pair....and i can wad them up and they magically never wrinkle.....

lol, my dress code at work during the week is a pair of those khakis and a collared shirt... and they call that business casual...

if it were me going to the wedding, i'd wear a pair of nice jeans (i.e. just washed) and a BIG belt buckle

mac 'my favorite store is walmart' gyvr
 
IMO at an outdoor western BBQ wedding you could get away with the pressed blues, and big belt buckle, especially if your in Texas, can't forget a nice pair of boots (no ropers), and the above mentioned buisness casual style is also appropriate, unless your in texas ;) , and you can still wear a good pair of boots if you want provided the pants are cut properly. First question would be; so is the wedding a western style theme or is just the BBQ western style?

xj (can't stand ropers) blue
 
Thanks all. Chewbaca, big help, yes I am clueless, wear a uniform all day long and shorts and a hawaaiin shirt around the home. Gonna check eddie bauer at the mall tomorrow. I believe the food is the western part, the weddding is happening in a garden in Placerville, CA just down the hill from the Rubicon.

Are my black shoes OK with Khaki's?
 
Black shoes work and will match anything, just make sure you wear a black belt so those two items match. Also if your black belts has a silver buckle wear a silver watch, if brass or gold, wear a gold watch....or wear no watch.

If ya go to EB in the mall you'll find what ya need ..... take a look at their shoes and belts if you dont want to wear your uniform shoes all day and night. I dont know how stiff those are and they may be uncomfortable to wear all day... i was never in the service. I know you service guys know how to shine and keep shoes looking like new...my old man was in the service and can shine boots like a mo fo.

regards
chewy
 
he's the local chicagoigan food and fashion consultant....

mac 'ask him what to put on a brat' gyvr
 
If you go with dockers tan kakis you can also go with tan shoes or 'bucks', tan suede looking with red colored soles/heels, kind of what Chiefs and officers in the navy wear with summer whites only they wear white ones. I wear kakis, tan brass military belt, gold watch, blue oxford or yellow shirt. If dark dockers I go with whites, blue short sleeve shirts, black issue military web belt and my dolphin belt buckle, black shoes. OD colord dockers get white or light green shirt, black or USMC od web belt.
Yea, I use my issue web belts, they fit the loops and keep it simple and only cost me $2 in clothing sales. Same issue belt at the 'big and tall' shops are 3 for $20.
Coleman stores have some really nice jeep bush shirts, button down pockets, 3 colors and only $25 or so with a jeep logo, nice shirts.
Shirts can also be checkered, that seems to be the current trend. If the barby has any 'games' like volley ball, horseshoes, croket, etc you might want to bring a nice set of shorts and some sneakers w/white socks just in case.
Business casual for me is safari shorts, hiking boots, and either a button down safari type shirt or one of my 'Tigger' shirts. Depends on on the customer.
Alot of time my wife lets me know when I pick the wrong colors with 'the look' that says 'that does not quite go dear, change before I puke',can't mistake it :D
 
RichP said:
Alot of time my wife lets me know when I pick the wrong colors with 'the look' that says 'that does not quite go dear, change before I puke',can't mistake it :D
Click to expand...

I know that look.

Kaki (or variations of tan) Dockers and blue or green golf shirts will not go wrong. Or green dockers and tan shirts.
I do need to expand my wardrobe.
 
Just goes to show that you need only NAXJA as far as BBS goes. Where else can you go for wedding fashion and learn how to rebuild a 231 at the same website ;-)

Chew...Mac no BBQ or Ketchup on my dogs and brats..bacca
 
Thanks for the help. Except for the bridal party in tuxes I was the most overdressed person there. But that's OK.

Got a nice pair of khaki slacks at Nordstroms and a blue business shirt.

Looked like a million bucks compared to the guys in shorts and tee shirts and sandals with baseball caps on backwards.

My teen and young adult daughters couldn't believe I went to a Jeep webpage for fashion advice, but hey, include nakid women and this would be the only BBS one would need.

Thanks again,
Tom
 
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