What To Wear With Khaki Pants for Guys in 2024

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what to wear with khaki pants men
What to wear with khaki pants men

Are khaki pants already part of your wardrobe, or are you thinking about investing in a pair? If you do, what will you wear with the khaki pants?

Are you curious about the origins of khaki pants? Or do you think that they are only the domain of safaris and crocodile wrestling conservationists?ย 

Perhaps you just want to know the difference between khaki pants and chinos.ย  I mean, they are the same, right?

As ever, The Highest Fashion is here to answer those questions and guide you to some excellent fashion choicesโ€ฆ.

What Are Khaki Pants?

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. ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย  .

The word โ€˜khakiโ€™ 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.ย  ย ย 

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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 1840โ€™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 1860โ€™s.

What Is The Difference Between Khakis and Chinos?

In the 1890โ€™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 โ€“ 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 โ€˜khaki chinosโ€™. 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 21st century, they can have a wool or synthetic blend.

Where Can I Buy Khaki Pants?

You can buy khaki pants anywhere โ€“ 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 donโ€™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 โ€œwhat colour goes well with khaki coloured pants?โ€ 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.

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Model: @valentinbenet

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  • 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 โ€˜light and dark create a sparkโ€™. 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 withย khaki pantsย 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.

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Model: @giuse_laguardia

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

Crisp and Slick ย 

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.

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Model: @magno_scavo

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  • 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 khakiโ€™s teamed with a smart blue button shirt is just the ticket.

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Model: @malikarakurt

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  • 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.

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Model: @massiii_22

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  • 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.

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Model: @antonio.pozo

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

3 Great Menโ€™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!

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Model: @hugomsrodriguez

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  • 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 Eminemโ€™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.

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Model: @hugomsrodriguez

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  • 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)

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Model: @nemanja_grujic

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  • 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 โ€œSeersucker and khaki suits are the way to looking put together in the summerโ€

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.

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Model: @rowanrow

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  • 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 donโ€™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 Wertherโ€™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.

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Model: @marianodivaio

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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Model: @ianna27

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  • 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.

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Model: @nunoantunes_

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  • 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, letโ€™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.

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Model: @vitorcastro

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  • 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!

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Model: @magic_fox

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  • 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 โ€˜He Spoke Styleโ€™.

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 donโ€™t forget to tag us on Instagramย @thehighestfashioncom with you sporting khaki pants and let us know how you like to personalise your look.