Smart Tailoring for 2026: The Rise of the Casual Suit
It’s well known that when it comes to what Australians wear each day, the trend is always towards the more casual end of the spectrum. What does that mean for suits? Are they on the decline? Funnily enough, the answer is quite the opposite.
While traditional forms of suiting are used in an increasing sparing capacity, casual suits in Australia are on the rise. From those who are wanting to look polished in the office without looking stuffy to those who are looking to scrub up for a special occasion, this style of suiting is attractive for both its versatility and distinctly contemporary feel.
But how do you find the right casual suit for you? Here, we give you the no-nonsense Oscar Hunt guide to smart casual suits for men. Let’s dive in!
FitThe style
From a style perspective, this style of suiting is marked by its soft tailoring for men. In practice, this looks like less padding in the shoulders, minimal or no canvas around the torso and a looser cut that ensures the fabric can flow around your body.
In terms of the stylistic features, smart casual suits for men are generally marked by Italian tailoring elements like Neapolitan shoulders and patch pockets. Additionally, jackets will often have wider lapels.
The fabric
When looking at fabrics for a casual summer suit in Australia, we recommend starting with fabrics that have an ‘open weave’ like linen or cotton. These types of cloth are marked by their coarse texture (when compared to superfine wool, for example) and allow air to pass through the fabric more easily.
While ‘flat’ fabrics are most popular, many clients are experimenting with different weaves, like seersucker, that add an element of texture to their casual suiting as well.
How to wear it
Of course, the final element to pulling off a casual suit is how you wear it. Our recommendation is to keep it simple with either a plain cotton button-down or a white tee-shirt. Paired with either loafers or an espadrille, this is an easy look that packs a real sartorial punch.
In the instance that you’re wearing a men’s casual blazer, you might even choose to layer it over a pair of Bermuda shorts for a polished but undoubtedly Summer-y ensemble that can take you from town to the beach in no time.
Whatever style of casual suiting you’re searching for this Summer, we invite you to swing by your local showroom to discover the full range, today.