I always found the smart-casual vs.business-casual debate so confusing! It seems like smart-casual allows for a bit more personal expression and leans slightly more fashionable. Think dark-wash jeans or chinos with a nice collared shirt, maybe a stylish blazer, and loafers or clean sneakers. business-casual, on the other hand, feels more conservative. Dress pants or chinos are usually the safer bet, paired with a button-down shirt, and possibly a blazer. Footwear is generally dress shoes or loafers.
The biggest difference I see is in the details: materials and colors. Smart-casual can often incorporate brighter colors, bolder patterns, and more textured fabrics. Business-casual usually sticks to more muted tones and classic, understated fabrics. Also, while a tie is definitely not required for business-casual, its almost certainly a no-go for smart-casual. Anyone else have rules they use to differentiate the two? It feels like the definitions are constantly evolving.