Alternatives to 'smart casual'

[Mumpo]

I'm writing an invitation to an undergraduate careers fair, where the participants are expected to dress smartly, but not necessarily in fully-suited business mode.

However I am trying to avoid the phrase 'smart casual' like the plague, as for me it conjures up images of Clarksonesque men in horrible jeans-jacket combinations. It also feels more like a notice on a pub door than part of a formal invitation.

What alternatives are there? Google's turned up 'relaxed business dress', which is OK, and also 'semi-formal', which sounds biologically creepy in a way I can't quite pinpoint.

[Vulgarian Visigoth]

Alternatives to 'smart casual'

Imperial leisure.

[Stumpy Pepys]

Alternatives to 'smart casual'

There's 'business casual', which tends to imply polo shirts, chinos and loafers.

[beak]

Alternatives to 'smart casual'

Mumpo wrote: I'm writing an invitation to an undergraduate careers fair, where the participants are expected to dress smartly, but not necessarily in fully-suited business mode.

Is it the undergraduates themselves you are inviting? Make no mention of suitable dress whatsoever, separate the aspirational, hard-working wheat from the shabby and feckless chaff.

[KGR]

Alternatives to 'smart casual'

Tell them all to turn up wearing a band t-shirt.

Then ask them their favourite three albums by said band when they get there, Lovejoy/Ramones stylee. Don't let them in if they are not properly dressed, or cannot answer the question.

[Janik]

Alternatives to 'smart casual'

You are writing this to help the students attending the fair, right? You don't want them to dress too shabbily, and so not sell themselves well to potential employers?

If the above is an accurate representation, then, bluntly, get over yourself. 'Smart casual' tells them what they need to know, and that it might grate on you is of little relevance. Searching for another phrase that basically says the same thing is not necessary, and in fact is potentially less informative than using the standard corporate speak.

[Fussbudget]

Alternatives to 'smart casual'

'Smart casual' is so ambiguous as to be almost meaningless these days, isn't it? My previous office was allegedly smart casual, and people would routinely come to work in tracksuits, flip-flops and/or beach shorts (and on one memorable occasion, in a Middlesbrough FC onesie.)

My current office is also smart casual and we're not allowed anywhere near jeans, shorts, trainers of any kind (including Cons, which has cramped my style somewhat), clothes with writing/logos on etc. Though thankfully my scruffy DMs make the cut.

[Mumpo]

Alternatives to 'smart casual'

Janik wrote: You are writing this to help the students attending the fair, right? You don't want them to dress too shabbily, and so not sell themselves well to potential employers?

If the above is an accurate representation, then, bluntly, get over yourself. 'Smart casual' tells them what they need to know, and that it might grate on you is of little relevance. Searching for another phrase that basically says the same thing is not necessary, and in fact is potentially less informative than using the standard corporate speak.

No, no, no no no no no, the problem is that 'smart casual' isn't much of a standard, it's open to too much interpretation - witness Fussbudget's post above.

For what it's worth I don't think there is an equally pithy alternative to 'smart casual', and we'll probably end up adding a slightly more specific indication of what they should wear.

[beak]

Alternatives to 'smart casual'

"Make an effort"

[Mumpo]

Alternatives to 'smart casual'

Nailed it.

[Come along, Min]

Alternatives to 'smart casual'

beak wrote:

I'm writing an invitation to an undergraduate careers fair, where the participants are expected to dress smartly, but not necessarily in fully-suited business mode.

Is it the undergraduates themselves you are inviting? Make no mention of suitable dress whatsoever, separate the aspirational, hard-working wheat from the shabby and feckless chaff.

Hey! a fellow Ukipper

will you be my friend

[beak]

Alternatives to 'smart casual'

Fuck off.

[Come along, Min]

Alternatives to 'smart casual'

ok

[treibeis]

Alternatives to 'smart casual'

Tell them what not to wear. An unkempt beard, for example. Or skinny jeans if they're not skinny.

[Jah Womble]

Alternatives to 'smart casual'

There's 'business casual', which tends to imply polo shirts, chinos and loafers.

I think if I read that on a party invitation, I'd find any excuse to miss the thing.

[Fussbudget]

Alternatives to 'smart casual'

Yes, everyone knows it should be deck shoes with polo shirt and chinos.

[G-Man]

Alternatives to 'smart casual'

Deck shoes with or without socks?

[Come along, Min]

Alternatives to 'smart casual'

These can be worn to have the best of both worlds

[Fussbudget]

Alternatives to 'smart casual'

Without, obviously. Or with shoe liners, for the smell-conscious.

Edit : beaten to the punch by our shoe liner specialist, here.

[Come along, Min]

Alternatives to 'smart casual'

nicest thing anyone's ever said to me on here

will you be my friend

[Jah Womble]

Alternatives to 'smart casual'

There is a burgeoning sock-fetish on OTF that I, for one, find deeply disquieting.

[Fussbudget]

Alternatives to 'smart casual'

Luke R wrote: nicest thing anyone's ever said to me on here

will you be my friend

Let's not go overboard, hey.

[Come along, Min]

Alternatives to 'smart casual'

ok

[andrew7610]

Alternatives to 'smart casual'

Mumpo wrote: I'm writing an invitation to an undergraduate careers fair, where the participants are expected to dress smartly, but not necessarily in fully-suited business mode.

Undergraduates who've not yet been anywhere near a business aren't going to know what 'business casual' means, so I would go with your own wording of simply 'dress smartly'.

It's open to interpretation, but implies that attendees should at least think about how they present themselves.

[Guy Profumo]

Alternatives to 'smart casual'

Mumpo wrote: I'm writing an invitation to an undergraduate careers fair, where the participants are expected to dress smartly, but not necessarily in fully-suited business mode.

However I am trying to avoid the phrase 'smart casual' like the plague, as for me it conjures up images of Clarksonesque men in horrible jeans-jacket combinations. It also feels more like a notice on a pub door than part of a formal invitation.

What alternatives are there? Google's turned up 'relaxed business dress', which is OK, and also 'semi-formal', which sounds biologically creepy in a way I can't quite pinpoint.

“No riff-raff”