The Official Guide to a Smart-Casual Dress Code

Whether you work in a creative office, a brand-new startup, or somewhere in between, there are a lot of casual work environments these days. Combine that to the elusive definition of a smart-casual dress code and you probably find yourself at a loss as to what to wear to work.
Dressing for the office—no matter what type of environment you’re in—can be tricky. From finding out what types of tops are HR-approved to decoding what casual Friday entails for your office, there are a lot of things to consider. And when you work in a place that has a vague dress code, the task can feel even more overwhelming. Not to worry—that’s where we come in. To make sure you’re dressing the part for an office with a smart-casual dress code, we asked stylist Britt Theodora for her expertise.
"A smart-casual dress code is an elevation of your ideal day-to-day wardrobe,” she explains. "To turn a go-to jeans-and T-shirt ensemble into business casual, throw on a black blazer and non-ripped jeans with ballet flats.” Theodora’s other favorite pieces for a smart-casual look involve high-waisted cigarette pants with white button-downs and a comfortable pointed heel. And when in doubt, avoid wearing anything too revealing, such as plunging necklines and short skirts or dresses.
Now, scroll down to shop for your smart-casual dress code below.
Black Blazer
Cigarette Pants
Sleek Flats
Comfortable Pointed Toe Heels
Jeans (Without Rips)
And now, see the places where women are buying affordable work clothes.

-
Brand Layering: The Art of Knowing Which Labels to Pair With Each Other
The ultimate styling hack.
-
The Simple Styling Trick That Turns Pencil Skirts From Corporate to Chic in 5 Seconds or Less
It's completely free and ready to copy.
-
The Curvy Girl's Guide to Finding Pants That Fit Flawlessly
Waist gap, begone.
-
Jamie Mizrahi's World: The Celeb Stylist's Favorite Red Carpet Look, Most Worth-It Shoe, and Album She Listens to on Repeat
A modern-day style expert.
-
How Everyone Will Be Wearing Their Non Skinny Jeans This Spring
Here's your outfit inspiration.
-
Suddenly, Women With The Row Style Are Breaking This Fashion Rule
You should too.
-
We're Fashion Editors—Everything We Saw, Wore, Did, and Ate During NYFW
Let's dive in.
-
Jenna Lyons's World: Her Go-To Red Lipstick, Her Latest Eyewear Collab, and the J.Crew Pieces She Still Wears Today
A true fashion icon.