Now that many of us are migrating from our makeshift at-home office back to the normal working environment, it is time to level up our casual wardrobe without having to sacrifice comfort. That being said, you may find this trend is the same for simply running errands or attending certain events—wanting to look beyond the track pants and hoodies to something smarter but equally as comfortable. Finding the Balance between Casual & Smart Casual Dressing Finding the right balance is easy when you have the correct basics. Be sure to have a solid capsule wardrobe that will have you ready for a mix of occasions. From these essentials, you can start to build out a functional wardrobe that works for a number of casual events, outings and occasions. This may include the following: A pair of chinos or two in neutral colours such as black, navy or tan A nice pair of white sneakers or a casual boot A pair of nice fitting jeans A variety of long-sleeve shirts, in particular in some staple blue and white shirts A collection of comfortable t-shirts in neutral colours such as white, black and grey A strong foundation of casual menswear basics will help support your goal in elevating your current capsule wardrobe while still remaining comfortable day-to-day. Tips for Elevating Your Casual Style for Men Start With the Basics A non-layered look can look just as smart when the fit is correct. Make sure your capsule wardrobe fits perfectly and you are pricking out options that suit your body. Understanding your body type and how clothes should fit is a key starting point to elevating your casual style. When choosing your basic layers, be sure to select versatile colours. Blues, greens, greys, whites, and blacks will all pair well back with each other and make it easy to create a smart outfit. Smarten Up Your Outfit by Layering Effortlessly by adding layers to your basic wardrobe is an easy way to smarten up your outfitting. Pair back your look with a merino knit and peacoat jacket to elevate your style while remaining comfortable. When the weather starts to cool, it is a perfect time to experiment with layering options. Add a sports jacket or puffer vest on top of a plain shirt and chino to elevate your look. Layering can add dimension and interest to your outfit as well as provide a great way to take the look from day to night. Don’t stop at jackets, try adding accessories from a belt, scarf, and patterned socks. Experiment With Style When thinking about taking your capsule wardrobe to the next level try something new! The easiest way to do this is with colour, texture, pattern, and accessories. Add a scarf, a shirt with a bold pattern, or a knit in a colour you would not usually wear. Our new autumn and winter release includes an abundance of colour including yellows, oranges, and an array of blues. Simple Updates Trying to find a nice medium between your weekend casual wear and your weekday workwear can be difficult and may have you feeling like you must sacrifice your style. Try meeting in the middle by updating some of your items, if you want to take your sneakers from the weekend to work make sure that they are clean and tidy, this is the same with your long sleeve shirts. If you can get away with rolling down the sleeves of your favourite weekend shirt and rolling into work, make sure to have the shirt ironed and clean with the buttons done up. Know when to wear your jeans, a dark denim that fits correctly can easily take you from your weekend warrior look to a smart event with the right pairing. Keep it basic with a white or blue shirt and add a dress shoe and jacket to level up the denim. Some of our quick and easy ways to elevate a casual look to a smart casual outfit include: Layering with a sports jacket Adding a bright knit or jacket Opting for a textured or patterned tie for more formal occasions Choosing a shirt with a pattern to add visual interest to your look Selecting a black or brown dress shoe Check out the top looks from our autumn campaign to get some inspiration on how to level up your casual style.