Khaki is an interchangeable term; it can refer to a colour or hard-wearing outdoor clothes. Think Teddy Roosevelt or those participating in a Bush Tucker Trial. .

The word ‘khaki’ comes from Persian or Hindustani and means dirt or mud. The colour of the earth in what was the of North-West India, now Pakistan.

Get this men’s outfit in Amazon

Tee

Model: @mr.passy

Where Did Khaki Pants Come From?

Khaki pants, like many menswear items, were originally part of military uniform. Sir Henry Lumsden and William Stephen Raikes Hodson are credited with creating khakis in the 1840’s.

Both were in the British Indian Army in Colonial India. The military uniform at the time was heavy and bright. Soldiers could not march well in the heat and were too much of a target in their traditional bright red coats.

Khaki was developed from cotton and dyed to resemble the surrounding area for camouflage. The British army adopted khaki as their colonial uniform in the 1860’s.

What Is The Difference Between Khakis and Chinos?

In the 1890’s the U.S. army adopted khakis as its colonial uniform and used it during the Spanish-American War. Whilst in the Philippines during the conflict, the uniforms came from China – Chino in Spanish. Hence chinos!

Chinos are frequently described as the dressier of the two. They have a slimmer fit and are more lightweight. Chino are said to have concealed stitching.

Khakis are utilitarian and robust. They can be seen as work wear with the stitching more visible. Khakis have a pleat at the front making them more boxy or bulky.

Nowadays the terms are often used interchangeably. You will find a manufacturer advertising ‘khaki chinos’. This is referring to the colour khaki with chino cloth and stitching.

What Are Khaki Pants Made From?

Traditionally, khaki Pants were made from cotton and have a twill weave. In the 21^st century, they can have a wool or synthetic blend.

Where Can I Buy Khaki Pants?

You can buy khaki pants anywhere – online such as with Amazon and in retail store in most countries of the world. There are even dedicated khaki stores in some countries.

What Store Sells Khaki Pants?

Khaki pants are available with most clothing retailers. Levis have been selling khaki pants since 1905!

Others include Dockers, Lee and Dickies.

What Are The Best Khaki Pants?

Needless to say it is about fit and comfort. You can buy one brand purely for the name but don’t feel as comfortable as you would with another brand.

But for hard wearing good quality khakis you can be confident in Wrangler, Dockers and Haggar.

What Colour Should I Wear With Khaki Pants?

If describing your khaki pants as a colour hue, then we answer “what colour goes well with khaki coloured pants?” with, you have a great range of colours to choose from!

A natural choice to complement the khaki is to use contrasting shades of brown. This will always be a great look for autumnal weather.

All the Shades Are Brown

The look below demonstrates how well hues of brown complement a simple khaki coloured pants and white t-shirt ensemble.

By blending the browns of the leather jacket, belt, suede Chelsea boots and incorporating brown aviators, the model has gone from classy to Italian chic.

Get this men’s outfit in Amazon

Model: @valentinbenet

GET THIS LOOK

Aviators
White Round Necked T-Shirt
Brown Leather Jacket
Dog Tags
Silver Ring
Khaki coloured pants
Brown Suede Chelsea Boots

We mentioned in What To Wear With Light Blue Jeans how ‘light and dark create a spark’. There is nothing wrong with wearing monochrome khaki and creating a contrast by adding a dark colour to the outfit. When you read on and see the various outfits with khaki pants for guys, you will see how that can be really successfully achieved.

Shirt colours that match well with khaki pants are blue, white and red. Green, black, maroon, pink and grey also work.

What Shirt to Wear With Khaki Pants?

Khakis are so versatile that they can be dressed up or down with ease. Finding a shirt that will match the look that you want to achieve will not be difficult.

Smart Casual

For a smart casual, layered look, team your khaki pants with a white t-shirt overlaid with an army green shirt. White socks with sneakers and Aviator sunglasses complete a simple yet stylish look.

Get this men’s outfit in Amazon

Model: @giuse_laguardia

GET THIS LOOK

Aviator Sunglasses
White Round Necked T-shirt
Army Green Button Shirt
Beige Slim Fit Khaki Pants
White Socks
White Sneakers
Watch

Crisp and Slick

We cannot help but laud the timeless look than can be achieved with a good, crisp white buttoned shirt. A granddad collar keeps it less formal. Team the shirt with a coloured sweater and panto sunglasses; you are on to a winner!

For an alternative to the khaki pants, try wearing slim fit combat style khaki pants. Those extra pockets are perfect for your phone or travel card.

Get this men’s outfit in Amazon

What Colour Should I Wear With Khaki Pants

Model: @magno_scavo

GET THIS LOOK

Panto Sunglasses
White Granddad Collared Button Shirt
Sweater
Wrist Watch
Combat Style Slim Fit Tan Beige Khaki Pants
White Sneakers

What Coat Should I Wear With Khaki Pants?

Needless to say, the season will very much dictate which coat is best, but the beauty of khaki pants is that a.) they can be worn any season and b.) match a range of coats and jackets

Pea Coat

Ah, the staple of the winter wardrobe. The Pea Coat has seen much of a popularity surge in recent times, and rightly so! This key piece in a dark contrasting colour to beige slim fit khaki’s teamed with a smart blue button shirt is just the ticket.

Get this men’s outfit in Amazon

What Coat Should I Wear With Khaki Pants

Model: @malikarakurt

GET THIS LOOK

Long Pea Coat
Blue Striped Button Shirt
Brown Leather belt
Tan Khaki Trousers
White Sneakers

Denim Jacket

The denim jacket is a piece that is always bouncing back into fashion, albeit in different versions. Remember stonewash?

Well, the light blue of this denim jacket goes really well with the tan of the khaki pants. Team it with a round necked white t-shirt and white sneakers and you are ready for summer in the city.

Get this men’s outfit in Amazon

Model: @massiii_22

GET THIS LOOK

Light Blue Denim Jacket
Necklace
Round Necked White T-shirt
Cropped Slim Fit Tan Khaki Pants
White Sneakers
Pocket Chain

Bomber Jacket

A bomber jacket will forever be a good investment. It is a timeless piece that just finishes off an outfit.

Get this men’s outfit in Amazon

Model: @antonio.pozo

GET THIS LOOK

Aviator Sunglasses
B3 bomber Jacket
Long Sleeved White Round Necked T-Shirt
Beige Roll Up Khaki Pants
Secret Socks
Trainers

3 Great Men’s Street Wear Khaki Pants Outfits

If you want to look dope whilst about town, check out these three great street wear looks using khaki pants

Top Gun Anyone?

Well just check out this fantastic take on military air force inspired clothing. From the light bomber style jacket; to the utilitarian combat style khaki pants; to the aviators; all you need is a set of dog tags and Maverick, eat your heart out!

Get this men’s outfit in Amazon

What Is The Difference Between Khakis and Chinos

Model: @hugomsrodriguez

GET THIS LOOK

Light Bomber Style Jacket
White Round Necked T-Shirt
Bracelet
Aviator Sunglasses
Combat Style Khaki Pants
Ankle Socks
White Sneakers

The Music Artist

Fancy adapting Eminem’s look to your own? Well you can see here how to do that. Look at how easy is to do. The round necked black baggy t-short teamed with olive combat style khaki pants finished with white trainers complete the rapper style.

Get this men’s outfit in Amazon

What Color Should I Wear With Khaki Pant

Model: @hugomsrodriguez

GET THIS LOOK

Baggy Black Round Necked T-Shirt
Olive Coloured Combat Style Khaki Pants
Silver Bracelets
White Trainers

Hoodie-tastic

It does not matter what happens in fashion, a hoodie is permanently in our wardrobes. The versatile piece is perfect for every casual affair. If you match your beige khaki pants with a beige hoodie, you have a stylish monochrome look that a dark puffer waistcoat and cap contrasts with nicely. The ensemble is finished off with a pair of white trainers, giving you a street edge. (Starbucks cup is optional)

Get this men’s outfit in Amazon

Model: @nemanja_grujic

GET THIS LOOK

Black Cap
Beige Hoodie
Black Puffer Waist Coat
Watch
Beige Khaki Pants
Ankle Socks
White Trainers

Can Khaki Pants be Formal?

Well, this is where you are delving in the minutia details of khaki as a trouser and khaki as a colour. So, if answering khaki as a colour, most definitely!

As American Fashion Designer Thom Browne says “Seersucker and khaki suits are the way to looking put together in the summer”

Khaki as a colour for nuptials or formal wear is great. Think of summer weddings with birds singing and beautiful sunshine.

The look below shows a great suit in khaki colour. Team it with panto sunglasses, a white button down shirt and loafers to get a great formal look in khaki. A nattily placed pocket square adds a touch of flair. You can accessorise with a wrist watch and pocket chain.

Get this men’s outfit in Amazon

Model: @rowanrow

GET THIS LOOK

Panto Sunglasses
Khaki Coloured Suit
White Button Down Collared Shirt
Wrist Watch
Pocket Square
Silver Wrist Band
Loafers
Pocket Chain

What Else Goes Well With Khaki Pants?

As we have mentioned, the wonderful thing about khaki pants is that they are very versatile. They work either as a casual or formal dress code. When you are tired of wearing your jeans but don’t want to wear your more formal trousers, khakis are the perfect go to.

We have already seen some great khaki street styles and how they work with different jackets, as well as some great seasonal looks.

Below, we have some more looks to share with you that really go well with khaki trousers.

Cardigan

Okay, okay. We know that the idea of cardigans and khaki pants bring up mental images of scatty college professors or the Werther’s granddad. However, a (decent!) cardigan can be a great accompaniment to your khaki pants. This is a good look for informal family or friend gatherings.

The look below uses terrific palette of white and taupe tones with the contrasting black cardigan style top. The beige sneakers finish the look.

Get this men’s outfit in Amazon

Model: @marianodivaio

GET THIS LOOK

White Round Necked T-Short
Black Cardigan Style Top
Black G-Shock Watch
Taupe Slim Fit Khaki Trousers
Beige Sneakers with White Laces

Jacket Shirts

Jacket Shirts can also be a great look when matched with beige wide leg khaki pants. To accessorise, add a cap, aviator sunglasses and white sneakers. Another great street look.

Get this men’s outfit in Amazon

Model: @philippegazarstyle

GET THIS LOOK

Navy Cap
White Round Necked T-Shirt
Jacket Shirt
Wrist Watch
Louis Vuitton Holdall
White Sneakers

Polo Neck

The polo neck is another fashion staple that keeps doing the rounds. If you a prefer a real en vogue look, then try a super stylish oversized polo neck in cream with dark olive khaki pants and beige sneakers.

Get this men’s outfit in Amazon

Model: @ianna27

GET THIS LOOK

Cream Polo Neck
Silver Rings
Olive Green Khaki pants
Beige Sneakers

What Boots To Wear With Khaki Pants?

For a truly classic look, team your khaki pants up with Chelsea boots. A timeless piece of footwear, that never fails to impress. Adding a B3 bomber jacket, panto shaped sunglasses and a black V-necked sweater completes the autumnal tones.

Get this men’s outfit in Amazon

Model: @nunoantunes_

GET THIS LOOK

B-3 Bomber Jacket
V-necked Sweater
Tan Khaki pants
Chelsea Boots
Panto Sunglasses
Watch

Alternatively, a pair of these smart black Timberland boots will be a great contrast. As they are available in red/brown, you also have the opportunity to make some great autumnal tones.

What Shoes To Wear With Khaki Pants?

As we mentioned in What To Wear With Light Blue Jeans, always, always match your shoes and boots to the belt you are wearing.

Now that the reminder is out of the way, let’s chat about the rest of the footwear that will complete your khaki pants get up:

The Chic T-Bird

Dark coloured loafers teamed with a contrasting black V-necked t-shirt and T-Birds leather biker jacket is surely going to turn heads. Adding the sunnies just completes this chic style.

Get this men’s outfit in Amazon

Model: @vitorcastro

GET THIS LOOK

Sunglasses
Black Biker Leather Jacket
Round Neck Black T-Shirt
Brown Leather Belt
Tan Pleated Khaki Pants
Dark Brown or Black Loafers

Summer Ready

If you prefer to remain comfortably casual with your footwear, try a pair of white sneakers teamed with a white t-shirt. Rolled up beige pleated khaki pants completes a summer ready look!

Get this men’s outfit in Amazon

Model: @magic_fox

GET THIS LOOK

White Round Necked T-Shirt
Beige Pleated Khaki Pants
Silver Wrist Bracelet
White Sneakers

Other footwear to consider when wearing khaki pants could include;

Oxfords or Derby Shoes
Monk Straps
Brogues
Trainers

If you are still not sure how to wear your khaki pants, check out this super helpful video from Brian Sacawa of ‘He Spoke Style’.

What Socks Go With Khaki Pants?

Well, that really depends upon your footwear. If you want to keep a sockless look, but are worried about stinking out your loafers or sneakers, look at getting some secret socks.

Alternatively, if you are wearing long legged slim fit khaki pants, you can look at wearing white socks that match your white sneakers.

Some looks work with ankle socks too.

How Do You Wash Khaki Pants?

We have come across this question before and we always say READ THE LABEL!

Remember, light colours should not be washed with dark colours in case the colours run, so always keep them separate.

The general rule of thumb is that synthetic materials can be machine washed with regular detergent, but at a cooler temperature. Cottons are generally alright at a higher temperature but may fade.

If you put any clothing item made of nylon, wool or polyester into a dryer, it is likely to shrink. Equally, washing those items in hot water has the potential to shrink them.

Check the label and always follow the instructions.

Final Thoughts

So, there you have it. Your ultimate guide to styling your khaki pants. Here at The Highest Fashion, we hope that we have given you some great pointers and ideas.

We are always keen to see how you put things together yourself, so don’t forget to tag us on Instagram @thehighestfashioncom with you sporting khaki pants and let us know how you like to personalise your look.