Switching from Smart to Casual in an Instant

After a hard day at the office, it's natural to want to go and party hard too. Many office nights out are scheduled for immediately after work, and that can be a challenge for those of us that would ordinarily face a long commute home. If you don't want to try to get changed out of your work clothes in the office toilets (and let's face it, who does) then try these quick tips for dressing down without completely changing your outfit.
Dressing Down is Easier than Smartening Up
The good news is it's easier to make a smart outfit look more casual, than it is to make a casual outfit look smarter. You're better off staying smart than changing into casual men's clothing and hoping everyone else does the same.
When you dress down, do it in small increments. If you go too far (no jacket, no tie, a shirt that isn't tucked in), then you can look like a slob. It's better to just step down one notch at a time - if you still feel over-dressed you can make on-the-fly modifications once you're at the venue.
Wear Versatile Office Clothing
A simple Barbour shirt and a pair of black trousers will suit any situation. Choose plain colours and a simple cut, and you'll be ready for any situation. If your usual brand of office shoe is a little too prim and proper for the average night out, you may want to swap them for some black loafers, or other neutral shoes.
Take a Smart Bag
Take a smart bag with you, and use it to store items you remove when you're dressing down. If you remove your jacket and tie, loosen the top button of your shirt, and remove your cufflinks, you should be almost ready for a smart-casual night out. There's no need to pack an entire set of casual men's clothing (although a spare pair of chinos is always handy, just in case someone spills beer on your suit). Just have something to store everything in so you only have to check your coat and bag in the cloakroom.
Re-Style Your Hair
Your bag should also contain an emergency kit with a comb, a small bottle of cologne, some deodorant, and some hair gel. Freshen yourself up, and slick your hair back (or tousle it slightly, whatever suits your face best) to instantly go from office-smart to "night out" mode.
Walk Tall
In many cases, how you carry yourself is more important than what you're wearing. Some people can look like a million dollars wearing a Primark t-shirt, let alone a stylish Barbour shirt. Make sure you're awake, fresh, and in a good mood when you walk out of the office, and you'll be ready to take on the world.
If you look confident and present yourself well, nobody will remember that you wore black shoes and white socks, but if you spend the evening trying to hide your fashion faux pas, it will be the talk of the office for the next three months.

Article written by James Harper on behalf of Anna Davis: stockists of casual men's clothing such as Barbour shirts.