# ‘Smart Casual’ attire question. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 6, 2017, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-casual-attire-question/803706 "2017-12-06T14:37:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2017, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-casual-attire-question/803706/1 "2017-12-06T14:37:00Z")
You are joining someone in a foreign capital who is hosting you for a fine meal at their upscale home, then out to a fancy hotel spot for some jazz music. You will be met by a private boatman to ferry you there. They have specified ‘No shorts, No flip flops! Smart Casual.’ Is a tshirt an appropriate garment to wear? How about a long sleeve version with, y’know a couple of buttons and a placket at the neck? Your opinion? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2017, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-casual-attire-question/803706/2 "2017-12-06T14:45:10Z")
Personal preference-polo shirt. [This style collar](http://promo.vistaprint.com/render/undecorated/product/PVAG-273306Q654Q2/RS-8Q417Q8Q6396/jpeg?compression=95&width=700), [not this.](https://imagena1.lacoste.com/dw/image/v2/AAUP_PRD/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-master/default/dwb95efb53/PH7119_S6N_24.jpg?sw=460&sh=460&sm=fit) ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2017, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-casual-attire-question/803706/3 "2017-12-06T14:54:55Z")
Not seeing much difference to be honest. They are both nice shirts. I think both would be exceptable. But… What’s your opinion on the question asked? Yay? Or nay? ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2017, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-casual-attire-question/803706/4 "2017-12-06T14:57:11Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > What’s your opinion on the question asked? Yay? Or nay? No T-shirt. (or perhaps, if you’re very attractive and have a very expensive t-shirt) ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2017, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-casual-attire-question/803706/5 "2017-12-06T14:57:38Z")
I would say “no” to the T-shirt idea. Slacks and a nice polo shirt. (I also don’t see really a difference in collars) ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2017, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-casual-attire-question/803706/6 "2017-12-06T14:57:56Z")
I don’t think a t-shirt would be appropriate. It needs to be a shirt with a collar and I think the type of shirt that needs to be ironed is better than a knit shirt like a polo shirt. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2017, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-casual-attire-question/803706/7 "2017-12-06T14:58:51Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > Not seeing much difference to be honest. They are both nice shirts. I think both would be exceptable. But… > > What’s your opinion on the question asked? Yay? Or nay? Sorry. T-shirts are never smart. As for the polos, the first one has a collar more similar to a dress shirt. Minor detail. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2017, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-casual-attire-question/803706/8 "2017-12-06T15:02:06Z")
IMO, t-shirts are not Smart Casual. It needs a collar. I would probably shy away from a henley shirt as you described as well. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2017, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-casual-attire-question/803706/9 "2017-12-06T15:05:11Z")
It depends on how good you look in the T-shirt. If you’re not a male model, professional athlete, or stripper then you probably can’t pull it off. ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2017, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-casual-attire-question/803706/10 "2017-12-06T15:05:52Z")
The OP is a woman. Polo shirts on women imply your the manager of the Best Buy. A nice, new, ironed T-shirt can be nice on a woman, especially if it has buttons. ---
**Author:** ![carlb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carlb/32/5930_2.png) [@carlb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlb)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2017, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-casual-attire-question/803706/11 "2017-12-06T15:07:11Z")
The only way I see a t-shirt working is if you have the personal style, panache, and frankly, money, to wear some kind of graphic t-shirt under a sport coat _a la_ [Robert Downey, Jr.](http://photos.laineygossip.com/articles/rdj-nyc-06may16-01.jpg), and even then I think you have to _be_ Robert Downey, Jr. to pull it off. My “uniform” for this kind of thing is a neutral colored pair of pants (mostly jean-cut cotton) with a patterned long-sleeved shirt. Depending on perceived level of formality I might leave the shirt un-tucked and roll up the sleeves, or I’ll tuck everything in and wear a sport coat over it. For me it would depend on how well I know the host, how many other people might be attending, and what the hosts level of formality tends to be. IMHO you rarely go wrong by erring on the side of over-dressing. ---
**Author:** ![carlb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carlb/32/5930_2.png) [@carlb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlb)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2017, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-casual-attire-question/803706/12 "2017-12-06T15:08:11Z")
> [@MandaJo](#): > > The OP is a woman. Well, then forget everything I just said. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2017, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-casual-attire-question/803706/13 "2017-12-06T15:08:28Z")
(Sorry should have specified, I am NOT the wearer. It’s a man’s attire I am enquiringly about!) Thank you for your opinions. The more the better! ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2017, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-casual-attire-question/803706/14 "2017-12-06T15:09:32Z")
Almost everybody in the modern western world dresses better than Americans when it comes to daily attire. Keep that in mind and [choose wisely.](https://www.google.com/search?q=smart+casual+images&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjg_7Kb0vXXAhVCKyYKHZp1DZsQsAQIKA&biw=1536&bih=734#imgrc=_) My advice: No crappy dockers (be better than The GAP) White dress casual shirt is classic (avoid short sleeves unless you’re in the tropics and have the arms to pull it off) Nice shoes. (No fucking sandals!) A great casual jacket. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2017, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-casual-attire-question/803706/15 "2017-12-06T15:10:28Z")
> [@MandaJo](#): > > The OP is a woman. Didn’t know that. Of course she can wear a T-shirt. Women can dress pretty much any way they want except at high school proms. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2017, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-casual-attire-question/803706/16 "2017-12-06T15:10:44Z")
> [@MandaJo](#): > > **The OP is a woman.** > > Polo shirts on women imply your the manager of the Best Buy. > > A nice, new, ironed T-shirt can be nice on a woman, especially if it has buttons. [Johnny Carson] I did not know that. [/JC] ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2017, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-casual-attire-question/803706/17 "2017-12-06T15:18:46Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > (Sorry should have specified, I am NOT the wearer. It’s a man’s attire I am enquiringly about!) > > Thank you for your opinions. The more the better! If you are going any place upscale or fancy, then a t-shirt is a no-no. You definitely want a shirt with a collar. Googling “Smart Casual” I see some younger hunks wearing nice t-shirts, but mainly in combination with a sport coat. But if your hosts are older, I would err on the side of being more conservative. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2017, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-casual-attire-question/803706/18 "2017-12-06T15:21:15Z")
I personally think I a polo to too casual for what you describe, but I tend to err on the side of overdressing. A nice long sleeve button up shirt, good leather lace up shoes (not gym shoes/trainers), slacks, and a jacket is what I would wear. You can always take off the jacket and roll up the shirt sleeves if everyone else is more casual. ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2017, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-casual-attire-question/803706/19 "2017-12-06T15:33:51Z")
No T-shirt of any kind, with or without collar. The thing I’m noticing is that this invitation does not appear to be from a close friend. There’s an “upscale home” ,a “fine” meal–(not just a good meal), a fancy hotel…and there’s a private boat (= small yacht?) involved. Dressing too poorly would be a social faux pas, uncomfortable for your host, embarrassing for everyone (and, in the worst case, ruin the evening by causing you to be refused admittance by the doorman at the fancy hotel.). Dressing a little too elegantly will not be a faux pas, will not be embarrassing, and will not ruin the evening. It’s Europe. When in Rome, etc, etc… ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2017, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-casual-attire-question/803706/20 "2017-12-06T15:40:31Z")
I realize now I should have been more specific for this crowd. I hope this helps a titch; It’s NOT Europe! It IS the tropics! (There will be no jacket expected, or worn.) A recently acquired friend, and brother to a friend of many years, though not close, per se. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-casual-attire-question/803706.md?page=2)