Are you ready to look effortlessly chic at any age? Whether you’re a GenX mom like me, a woman over 40, woman over 50, or woman over 60, today I’m giving you a STEP BY STEP PLAN OF ACTION to create smart casual outfits – no guess work required! You will always feel confident, comfortable, and put-together, no matter the occasion. Stick around, because by the end of this article, you will have a solid understanding of how to SHOP YOUR CLOSET to create smart casual outfits from item in you already own. So let’s get started!
Shop Your Closet FIRST
As always, our motto here at Midlife Posh Closet is SHOP YOUR CLOSET FIRST…then supplement your wardrobe when needed. There is never any pressure here to shop. But if you would like to supplement your existing wardrobe with any of the items shown in longer video or the photos, you can shop through the links beneath each photo.
What is Smart Casual?
Smart casual is a versatile dress code that strikes a balance between polished sophistication and relaxed comfort. It blends classic, well-fitted wardrobe staples — such as tailored blazers, classic lady coats, or structured trousers— with more casual pieces like jeans, simple tees, or denim jackets. The goal is to look neat, stylish, and polished without appearing overly formal or stiff.
I had always thought of smart casual as jeans and a blazer. But a recent online article from Vogue Magazine gave a simple formula to think of smart casual outfits. Keep reading…
The Easy Smart Casual Formula
Here’s a simple formula for smart casual outfits:
One Elevated Piece + One Casual Piece
For example, pair a classic blazer with your favorite jeans, OR sheath dress with denim jacket. This formula works for every age and body type.
How to Create a Smart Casual Outfit
Today, I am giving you a STEP BY STEP plan of action to create stylish smart casual outfits – NO GUESS WORK REQUIRED. Here is the step by step actionable plan:
- Step One: For demonstration sake, we are going to start with an elevated outfit.
- Step Two: Then we are going to remove one elevated piece.
- Step Three: Replace it with a casual piece.
- Step Four: The result is to go from a dressy look to a smart casual look.
Repeat these steps until you get the hang of creating smart casual outfits. As always, play dress up in your own closet!
Happy Styling!
Valarie
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Outfit 1: Blazer + Jeans
In Step One, I started with an elevated Spring Outfit consisting of a robin egg blue blazer, white Pima boatneck tank, white crop pants, and clear heels. In Step Two, I removed the white crop pants. In Step Three, I replaced the white crop pants with casual slim straight leg jeans. In Step Four, the result is a fresh and crisp smart casual look for Spring Fashion. This is a lovely look from lunch, brunch, or an outing with the girls!
Outfit 2: Lady Coat + Wide Leg Jeans
In the first outfit, the elevated focal piece is the short sleeve white lady coat. I started with the elevated outfit on the left for step one. In step two, I removed the pale pink straight leg pants. In step three, I replaced the pale pink straight leg pants with wide leg jeans. (See my YouTube video here that debunks the fashion myth that petite women cannot wear wide leg trousers and jeans…I am only 5’0 tall!). The result for step four is a lovely smart casual outfit! Note that I am wearing a tank underneath as the lady coat is short in length. I am wearing size petite small, so if you are a petite you might want to size up to a regular small. SEE THE LONGER VIDEO ABOVE FOR DETAILS!
Outfit 3: Structured Trousers + Denim Jacket
While I generally think of smart casual as a blazer plus jeans, this outfit stretches and expands my understanding of the smart casual concept. In step one, I started with a beige cashmere tee, beige structured trousers, and beige pumps as my elevated outfit. In step two, I simply removed the beige pumps. In step three, I replaced the beige pumps with espadrilles…AND added a light wash fitted denim jacked. I also added a beige and black designer tote. In step four, I have a neutral smart casual outfit that is stylish and polished without being formal or stiff. WATCH THE LONGER VIDEO FOR SIZING INFORMATION!
Outfit 4: Sheath Dress + Denim Jacket
For Outfit 3, I started with a basic black sheath dress and kitten heels as my Step 1 base outfit…the “lawyer uniform” I call it! For step two, I removed the kitten heels and laptop tote. In step three, I replaced the kitten heels and laptop tote with a denim jacket. I also added accessories in the forms of cognac slide sandals and a raffia tote. The result in Step Four is a smart casual outfit that is casual with just a hint of sophistication!
Outfit 5: Pink Lady Coat + Slim Straight Jeans
For Step 1, I started with a pale pink short sleeve lady coat, pale pink straight leg pants, clear heels, and a white satchel. In Step 2, I removed the pale pink pants from the outfit. In Step 3, I replaced the pale pink pants with slim straight leg jeans. I then paired the outfit with wedge kitten heels and a darker pink satchel. The result in Step 4 is a lovely ballerina pink smart casual outfit for spring fashion 2025. Just as a note, in hindsight, I wish I had paired the lady coat with wide leg jeans instead of slim straight leg jeans. Wide leg jeans just seem so much more elevated than any other form of jeans. Just my styling thoughts here!
Outfit 6: Dolman Sweater + Wide Leg Jeans
In Step 1, I started with an elevated outfit comprised of a beige Dolman sweater, beige pleated skirt, clear heels, and glitter clutch. In Step 2, I removed the pleated skirt. In Step 3, I replaced the pleated skirt with wide legs jeans then accessories with black low block heels and a black-and-beige designer tote. Delicate gold jewelry adds interest to the outfit. The result is a fresh and modern smart casual outfit in Step 4 for Spring Fashion 2025.
I am 5’0 with a 26” inseam and generally wear size 2P. All items fit TTS (true to size) unless otherwise stated.
– Valarie
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I am trying to download your egg white breakfast but it’s not happening. Can you give me more instructions. Thanks so much.
Send me an email to val@midlifeposhcloset.com and I will reply back with the recipe.
Hello, I just found your channel and am obsessed. Love the simplicity and looking elegant without so many “things”. When I try to go to your link for wide leg pants from Ann Taylor, it brings up three different wide legged pants. Which one is it that you are wearing in the video? I’m 4”11 and anyone I’ve ever watched has been tall and thus nothing ever looked decent like it did on them!:)
Watch the long video here where I explain: https://youtu.be/etzsgOxQaQM?si=9s7bE0lyfEsjcGAm&t=807
I too like another poster just found your YouTube channel which brought me to this blog, and also to your Instagram. I am obsessed as well. You dress exactly how I would like to, yet I always have a hard time finding the right pieces. Your channel and blog will so helpful to me while revamping my wardrobe. I also live in the north, but spend several months a year in Florida so your outfit inspiration will be so helpful to me! I typically dress in all neutrals as well, except for in Florida I always feel like I should add the pinks, blues, and greens, yet always struggle with doing so. Thank you for doing what you do so well!
This makes me happy to read. I’m so glad we found each other!