I need to start dressing smart casual. I can't see myself in jeans or chinos, especially with shoes. I've no problem with shirts. Any ideas of what to wear? I'm considering wearing DM boots, is this acceptable?
I'm a bit confused as to what you otherwise normally wear. Please don't tell me you sit around in trackies all day, because then you truly are beyond help.
Get the basics right and work up from there. A core wardrobe of versatile mainstays can be dressed up or down as required.
Oxford shirts work well with anything less formal than a suit. Oxford cloth has more texture and better opacity than poplin. Stick with the basics of white, blue and pink, and make sure they fit well. Pay particular attention to the sleeve length and cuff width. Off-the-peg shirts tend to err on the side of generosity in this respect, so you'll often need to move the cuff button.
Brown brogues are extremely versatile. A lot of men gravitate to black shoes, which is a mistake with anything other than dark suiting or black tie. Avoid anything remotely trendy, you'll look like a mobile phone salesman or a lower-league footballer. I'd recommend against DMs, they're bulky and inelegant. If you're looking for a casual shoe option to dress down an outfit, I'd suggest loafers or Converse-type basketball shoes.
Having a range of trousers gives you scope in terms of formality. Chinos, cords and woolen trousers all have their place in the smart/casual wardrobe. When choosing fabric, look for texture and opt for medium shades of grey, blue and brown. Again, pay close attention to fit - always buy trousers with surplus length and have them tailored to fit. If you're going for a very slim fit, be wary of bunching in the seat and crotch. Match the leg width to your physique and avoid skinny fits unless you yourself are skinny. If you can stand to wear them, braces are vastly superior to belts, as you get finer control of where the trouser breaks and without bunching at the waistband.
Break (how the hem of a trouser leg rests on the shoe) is something of a fine art. Most men wear overly long trousers with a traditional full break, with fabric pooling on top of the shoe. This looks slouchy and makes your legs look shorter. The easiest break to pull off is the shallow break, where the hem just barely rests on top of the shoe. Very skinny trousers work best with zero break, where the hem is well clear of the shoe.
Cardigans are brilliant garments. They allow for versatile layering during spring and autumn and look much smarter than sweaters. The buttons and deep v of a cardigan lengthen the torso.
Blazers are fairly easy to balls up, avoid anything too dark or too shiny. Look for textured fabrics like tweed and corduroy and again pay very close attention to fit. A very traditional garment can look very modern if the cut is right. With your arms by your side, you should have about half an inch of shirt sleeve showing under a blazer. Harrington jackets are excellent if you're looking for something more casual - opt for paler colours and buy quality (Baracuta or Merc).
Most of my money for clothing goes on technical hill kit (Montane / Rab / Paramo etc) and usually what's left goes on non dpm combats eg Helikon, trail shoes, t/shirt / 3/4 trousers etc. I'm more laid back outdoors than smart casual.
OP, a lot of choices also come down to personal taste, which isn't to say that you shouldn't listen to anyone else. In fact it's the opposite, you develop a better wardrobe by paying attention to people and taking an interest in clothes. Posts like >>4863 are helpful and a good starting point, but I'd also say it's worth taking as much time as you can to observe what other people wear. What do you like, what don't you like? What do you value in clothing, what kind of materials? Has there ever been a person dressed in smart casual that you thought, 'yes I like that'?
We can give you broad dos and don'ts and can make suggestions, but it needs to be 50/50 (or in practice probably more like 70/30) what you like versus what others think, otherwise you'll feel like you're wearing a costume. Which is the worst feeling you can have when trying new stuff, I reckon.
Lecture over, then. I'd say going off >>4864 you'd do well with smart but outdoorsy clothing, which definitely exists if you look for it. I'd start with a nice pair of traditional leather boots. Since you don't like jeans or chinos, I'd say wool trousers and cords, or anything in heavier fabrics would suit what you're used to. Agreeing with >>4863 on jackets and blazers. Heavier country/traditional coats might interest you as well, maybe a duffle or an overcoat.
>>4860 What age are you? What build are you? Why do you want to change how you dress? Why do you have a problem with jeans and chinos?
I should say at this point that regardless of how you answer, no DMs are not acceptable.
>>4863 pretty much nails the basics, but I'd say that blazers so rarely look passable, let alone good, that it's better to forget about them altogether. They're basically on the same level as fedoras for people who think there's a magical item of clothing they can put on and "class up the joint".
