The Casual Girl's' Guide To Smart Dressing

When it comes to dressing smart or for formal occasions, I'm usually not your gal. I have one of those awful habits of being underdressed to formal events and overdressed to casual events. Tell me that there's a wedding and I'll whine that I hate dresses and I hate heels and I hate fancy hats and that I'm showing up in boots and skinnies. Tell me that you're wearing joggers and trainers and I'll show up wearing a ruffled floral dress and some heeled ankle boots. I can't help it but it's just the way I am. However, there are some occasions that you really do need to follow the dressing guide for, the aforementioned wedding being one of them, work events, interviews...you know the drill. I used to really struggle to find "smart" clothing I felt comfortable with but I think I may have finally cracked it and have mastered the art of looking smart, stylish and comfortable, both physically and mentally. 

For me the biggest problem was that everywhere you look for "workwear" or "smart clothing", you find the same old boring cliche clothes. You know the kind; the bootcut black shiny work trousers, the fitted blouses that cinch at the waist and flare out at the bottom...I'll be honest and say that I'm not a fan. When I dress smart, I still want to feel like myself, still want to let my personality and style show instead of wearing a faceless, typical outfit. Don't get me wrong, the trousers/blouse combo is a failsafe if you're looking for something quick and easy or if that's your cup of tea but it definitely isn't for me. 

BAKER BOY HAT: TOPSHOP 

FUNNEL NECK JUMPER: c/o BOOHOO

STRIPE STRAP CAMERA BAG: c/o BOOHOO 

HOUNDSTOOTH COAT: c/o LA REDOUTE (similar) 

BLACK RELAXED TROUSERS: MISSGUIDED (similar) 

FAUX FUR LOAFERS: PRIMARK (similar)

For me, it's about keeping smart casual so that I feel comfortable in myself and happy with the outfit. I opt for slouchy, slightly cropped trousers rather than the floor length flares, the flat slip on shoes rather than the typical dolly shoe and of course, some accessories that make the outfit more "me". I love baker boy hats at the minute and although I get called something different every time I wear it (yesterday it was a Peaky Blinders character, the day before it was a 70s diva), once I started wearing it I couldn't stop. Bad hair day? Stick on the cap and it looks intentional. Anyway, I think for smart wear I prefer the slouchy, laidback smart vibes. It's more comfortable, it's more me and it still looks just as smart as any other outfit.

Something that I also love in this outfit is the cheeky pop of red from the jumper and the bag, both of which are from trusty Boohoo. Red is very clearly the colour of this season and as someone who has always sworn to hate the colour red, I have been wearing it an awful lot recently...I love how it looks against the pattern of the houndstooth coat too and the bag sets the whole thing off beautifully. I don't know about you but I'm getting Tommy Hilfiger vibes from it? Oh and the loafers? They're obviously also dupes of the famous Gucci loafers and my oh my have these babies served me well. Considering they cost around 6 quid they're definitely what I consider to be my "bargain of the year" and what's more, they fit in with a smart outfit like this perfectly, despite the fact that they're ridiculously budget. 

I've linked most of the exact items from this post above or you can shop below for some pretty similar budget items too so make sure you have a lil nosy! 

What do you wear for smart dressing?

Amy x

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