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Men's style: Five smart-casual pieces to brighten your world in 2022

In 2022, the first thing one often thinks when one hears the words casual-smart is the 'casual-smart' we pulled off during those Zoom calls in the covid19 lockdowns: A neat shirt up and torn boxers below, because how were they to know, really?

Smart casual couple

Today, we’re out of our bedroom and back to the office, meeting people in real life, which means the casual-smart of 2020 is to be ditched and forgotten in favor of the kind of smart-casual that is not only fit for the public but the kind that makes you look like you have it all together.

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There is a small problem, though. Smart casual is hard to pull off. One must combine elements of 'casual' and 'smart' in a perfect balance. Failing to strike that balance will cause the elements to fight each other, and getting the balance right is capable of creating an outfit that will make girls bite their lower lip when you enter the room. Ahem.

Removing your tie does not make a smart casual look nor does adding a suit jacket to jeans. Smart casual outfits are about balance.

Here are five ideas to help you look fine in 2022:

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Don't try to be casual smart with a suit jacket. It is too rigid and too angular for smart casual according to fashion gurus. Relaxed suits – those with softer shoulders are more suited for this style. Shoulder pad-less blazers with informal details like patch pockets and lighter fabrics are what you are looking for here.

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In the olden days (mid 1900s), they were solely reserved to sports, then teenagers, then weekends, but today, trainers have been embraced as the dress code has become more relaxed. Minimalist trainers are the go-to-shoe of 21 century because it goes with anything and everything. Fashion gurus advise that your choice shouldn't have much obvious branding or fussy details. They are timeless, dependable, comfortable and versatile.

The Oxford shirt, like the minimalist trainers, is the very definition of smart casual. This shirt is thicker than dress shirts in texture, with a collar that is a tad smaller than that of a dress shirt. It looks great when tucked in, and transforms you into an easy-going hank when left untucked.

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Sometimes you will feel that denim might be too casual and that is where slim chinos are the way to go. They come in more colors than probably any other type of trousers on the market which should give you more options. Where smart casual dress codes are concerned, a classic, slim fit is never the wrong choice.

Long gone are the days when drawstring trousers were a preserve of football coaches and gym instructors. They are a new breed of laid-back legwear that offer all the comfort of a pair of jogging bottoms, but with the sharp cut and smart looks of a pair of tailored pants. Perfect for dressing up everyday pieces like plain T-shirts and minimalist sneakers, this hybrid garment is a true cornerstone of modern smart-casual style.

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