Casual. An ambiguous term at best. To some it means “anything goes”, to others it means “the necktie goes”. Then we add modifiers: business casual, smart casual, semi-casual. What does it all mean? In my system of lifestyle segmentation, “casual” is defined as nicer, but relaxed, clothing: khakis and sport shirts for men, less-crisply-defined equivalent for women.
In my mind, the essence of smart casual =
clothing which fits in (nearly) any lifestyle segment, depending on the shoes worn with it.
In other words; worn with flip-flops, the outfit reads leisure. Throw on a pair of platform sandals or snappy flats with the same clothes for a casual ensemble, or metallic shoes and statement jewelry for cocktails. How smart is that? And perfect for travel!
Dog-walking clothes, ball gowns, and smart casual; what more do we need?
I don’t know about the ever-mystifying smart casual but you’ve always been on to something
with the shoes determining the nature of the outfit. I think this way more and more.
The tricky part then becomes finding shoes that announce the nature of the outfit and are still wearable for the amount of walking we need to do. I was very pleased with my dressy shoes this past weekend at my high school reunion. I was on my feet for hours, I only took my shoes off once for about five minutes, and my feet were not miserable! They are gray ombre patent peep-toe; I think they are classic enough to look good even though they don’t scream 2011; PLUS they cover my wretched, end-of-summer flaky heels. lol
I have used your concept recently to realize that if I can’t possibly pair any shoe/boot I have with a dress/garment, then the garment is all wrong for me.
I must admit that I know nothing about shoes. I almost always wear the same two pairs of shoes (one black, the other brown). They’re casual without being dumpy and comfortable enough to walk in all day if I happen to. I should probably learn how to dress up an outfit with shoes. Would jewelry fall into the same category? (As in, it could dress up a casual outfit to something more special?)
Well, Amy, I have to admit that I’m slightly jealous that you are able to wear the same shoes with everything. It may be the peculiarities of my foot, but I really can’t walk all day in anything that isn’t technically a sport shoe. I keep trying to find it, though!
Yes, I was thinking jewelry, and other accessories, right along with shoes when I wrote this. 😉