Easy and Elegant Life

The Search for Everyday Elegance and the Art of Living Well.

Smart Casual Experiment 1: Tonal Dressing.

Tonal dressing seems to me to be the cornerstone of smart casual. I’m not sure why, perhaps it’s because the colour scheme mimics the lounge suit or the odd jacket and trousers in similar colours.

I love tans, camel colours, but they don’t work too well next to my face. That day was a bit chilly, and I was due for a long’ish hike to Secco, a local restaurant, to meet an old friend. The scarf, in a deeper gold with sky blue accents looked better next to my chin and the chambray shirt under the (too small) cardigan lent more contrast to things. I wore a camel, DB polo coat for the walk.

The desert boot with the crêpe sole has to be the most comfortable casual shoe a man can own. For those who think that trainers/sneakers are the only way to go, try a pair. You’ll be pleasantly surprised and a bit more dressed up. Spray them with a water repellant solution if you plan on wearing them a lot.

I’m a lot happier than I look in the photo. Even if casually dressed. As the weather changes, it may be more difficult to keep up a smart casual appearance. I rely on sweaters too much. We’ll see. Stay tuned. And feel free to comment.

6 thoughts on “Smart Casual Experiment 1: Tonal Dressing.

  1. After years of reading complaints about the difficulty of casual on StyleForvm, I’m so very pleased to see you simply take the bull by the horns and embody your column’s title in this manner. I may either have to “reblog” this or include you in my final article somehow (by your leave, of course)

    I’m quite keen on a pair of desert boots of late, having seen not only this, but fellows of your generation like designer Stefano Pilati, also. The more I contemplate them, the more “me” they seem to become

    All best from Mode Parade,

    B

  2. Hmmm, a good start to this new journey but the scarf seems to overwhelm the outfit. Perhaps it is the colors not being to your complexion/hair, but I would see what other options there are for the scarf/ascot addition to this type of look.

  3. Love the desert boots. Didn’t always……then those scary athletic shoes (they get uglier by the day) took over.

    Everything looks…..good……however……the scarf is overwhelming. probably just fine once the topcoat is on…..but take it off when you take the coat off would be my only suggestion……

    Fight on! Slobbovia is taking over!!!

  4. I was going to say this looks like a smarter Brunello Cucinelli look for a polished person. I really like the tip about the Desert Boots (my husband wears Pikolinos, which is an upgrade from the deplorable yet ubiquitous all-white tennis shoe) and will investigate for my husband’s next shoe purchase.

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