Well Groomed: Smart Casual

Today’s trend roundup is all about the boys (hello, boys!). And one of the biggest trends in groomswear (and even more so for groomsmen) is smart casual wedding gear. Obviously this isn’t going to suit all weddings (you want your levels of formality to match, for example) or all grooms (this is his chance to dress up in a beautifully tailored suit, just as much as it’s yours to wear a fairytale dress) but if you’re planning a less formal occasion or if he’s the kind of guy who just isn’t going to feel like himself all stuffed up into a jacket and tie, then there are some other stylish options to consider. Debrett’s defines ‘formal’ smart casual as “a jacket or blazer, flannels, needlecord trousers, or chinos (not jeans), a shirt with a collar, not a t-shirt, and smart shoes, not necessarily lace-ups, but not trainers or sandals”. Where the look leans towards informal, Debrett’s allows for “jeans, but smart, clean, dark-coloured jeans… a shirt and tie can be worn but an open collar is also acceptable.” With these guidelines in mind, here’s a roundup of some of our favourite smart casual looks from real weddings. (Oh, and PS, one of them happens to be a sneak peek from tomorrow’s wedding, so be sure to stop in for more of the groom’s laid back jeans-wearing style!)

SMART KNITS

Image credits: Top image- Illuminate Photography/Joy Proctor on SouthBound Bride; Row 2- Lauren Fair Photography via The Knot; Row 3- Red White and Green Photography via Ruffled

DENIM

Image credits: Row 1- The Nichols/Bryan Long Flowers & Events via Green Wedding Shoes (left); Sweet Little Photographs via Well Groomed (top right); Gabriel Ryan Photographers/Lindye Galloway via Style Me Pretty (bottom right); Row 2- Alexis Diack

OPEN SHIRTS

Image credits: Row 1- Jules Morgan on SouthBound Bride; Row 2- Lelia Scarfiotti via Ruffled (left); What A Day Photography/Kristina Domanski via Bridal Musings (right); Row 3- Just Judy

BLAZERS & CHINOS

Image credits: Landon Jacob via Style Me Pretty (left); Zev Fisher Photography/Ewhitney Events via Style Me Pretty (top right); Hendrickson Photography Weddings/Your Day Your Way via A Paper Proposal (bottom right)

BRACES

Image credits: Row 1- Bryan Miller via Green Wedding Shoes; Row 2- Bayly & Moore/Bonnie Machell via Ruffled (left); Erin Wallis Photography/Suzanne May Ryles via Ruffled (right); Row 3- Benj Haisch Photography via 100 Layer Cake

MISMATCHED TROUSERS

Images credits: Shipra Panosian/The Conservatorie Design via Ruffled (top left); Ryan Ray Photography/Created Lovely Events via Style Me Pretty (top right); Abbey Daniel of MTAS Photography via Ruche blog (bottom)

More inspiration for grooms: