SMART CASUAL FOR WOMEN OVER 40: A PLUS SIZE STYLE GUIDE
For the moments in your life when you want all the polish without sacrificing the comfort, turn to smart casual styling. Whether you’re dressing for the office, heading out to dinner, or you’re looking for a comfy yet elevated travel look, this is the dress code for you. There’s a reason even celebrities love smart casual. Learn how to style your clothes to strike the right balance between polished, comfy, and fabulous.
What is smart casual women's attire?
A smart casual dress code means pairing your dressier pieces with casual favourites for a look that’s the best of both worlds. Elevated but effortless, it’s all about sophistication without going over the top. In fact, we like to think of it as the dress code designed for women who want it all.
That makes smart casual perfect for women of any age, but especially for ladies over 40 who want to look sophisticated without the fuss. Since mixing and matching lie at the heart of this dress code, it’s also versatile and adaptable. Once you master the basics, you’ll have a range of looks you can wear anywhere, anytime!
How to master smart casual fashion for ladies over 40
When it comes to smart casual women’s fashion, the key is balance!
Choose one polished piece for every relaxed piece and adjust from there to suit the mood or the occasion.
This means making a tailored blazer or dressy blouse feel more relaxed by styling them with something more casual, like jeans or a simple t-shirt.
Accessories also have an impact. For a subtle yet elevated touch, you can’t go wrong with a necklace or dangly earrings, or even a well placed scarf.
You can also dress your outfit up with shoes. A pair of jeans in a stylish, modern cut always goes well with heels or loafers.
With some experimentation, you’ll have endless variations and outfits to wear!
Key pieces for a smart casual dress code
Build the foundation for your smart casual wardrobe with timeless fashion essentials that work for any age.
• A well-fitting pair of jeans: Jeans are perfect for a smart casual look. Make getting dressed a breeze with our range of ultra-comfy denim designed for curves! Choose from classic straight leg jeans, high-stretch jeggings or trendy wide leg or barrel leg jeans.
• Tailored trousers: For dressier occasions, you can’t go wrong with slim leg trousers, structured ponte pants or our bestselling Editorial pants.
• The perfect t-shirt: Put the ‘casual’ back in smart casual with a classic basic t-shirt. Take your pick from our range of colours and necklines. After all, nothing beats the comfort of a soft cotton tee!
• A structured jacket: Dress things up with a timeless blazer, or make an impact with a statement jacket.
Feel fabulous at any occasion in smart casual
Once you have the foundations down pat, it’s easy to adapt your look for any occasion.
For something more casual, like morning brunch or coffee with friends, keep your overall look relaxed and simply add a nice jacket or jewellery to elevate the look.
A relaxed office meeting can go the other way; a simple white cotton t-shirt brings a relaxed but confident touch to a work outfit.
For an evening occasion like dinner at a nice restaurant or a party, a well-chosen pair of jeans balances beautifully with a blouse and blazer.
Smart casual is also perfect for travel. Look polished on the plane with a nice knit, or bring style to your sightseeing with a polished dress to go with your sandals or sneakers.
Tips to style smart casual
At the end of the day, no matter which pieces you choose, smart casual is all about feeling your most fabulous, confident and comfortable!
• Choose quality pieces in breathable fabrics and stunning prints that allow your personality to shine.
• Free flowing styles like a loose top or wide leg trousers add a boho touch and look great paired with a structured or tailored piece and heels.
• High-waisted pants feel effortlessly modern, and pair well with a fitted top for a balanced shape.
• With a range of styles and silhouettes designed for curves, you’ll find all your plus size style needs here.
Shop our range of plus size clothing now at Taking Shape and put together your perfect smart casual wardrobe!