What to Wear with Brown Pants
Sheridan Grant
Table of Contents
Whether or not you’re hearing it here first, brown and neutral tones are in, folks. And if you’ve already got staple blue, black, and white bottoms in your collection, it may be time to add a classic brown pair (or two) to complete your wardrobe.
Despite the fact that they’re a closet staple, it can be difficult to determine what to wear with brown pants. Why? Maybe because the color is outside your comfort zone, you don’t have the right pieces in your wardrobe, or just because it can honestly be more daunting than blue or black.
But, there are a number of different pieces that pair seamlessly with brown pants. Plus, the bottoms can fall into a broad range of different style categories, making them a versatile, easy-to-wear option. Whether you’re looking for something chic and elevated or cool and casual, there’s a pair of brown pants for everyone.
After reading our guide, you’ll gain some insight on what to wear with brown pants, as well as:
- Ideas for outfits with brown pants
- What to wear with dark brown pants female edition
- What to wear with brown pants men’s edition
- How to care for brown pants
- Where to buy brown pants
What to Wear With Brown Pants
If you’re reading our guide on what to wear with brown pants, you’ll be happy to hear that the bottoms are actually pretty easy to fashion into an outfit. Of course, the first thing to do is choose the style of brown pants that is right for you, but we’ll get into that a little later.
If you’re going for a more formal look, try much lighter or darker tones up top for juxtaposition. Warmer colors are ideal for fall days, while cooler shades have a more wintery feel, and pastels or neutrals are great for the springtime.
Different shades of brown are a no-brainer when it comes to accessories or tops. Your look will feel cohesive and put together, even if it took minimal effort to pick out all your fav brown pieces from your closet!
Different fabrics can also affect the overall look, so be sure to consider what you’ve already got in your closet and the climate of where you live before you opt for leathers, linens, and corduroys. Cotton fabrics are always a pretty safe bet, but you can always layer for extra warmth.
Also, chunky black belts and other black accents add a unique and bold touch without feeling too dark or moody (unless that’s what you’re going for). Brown pants also pair well with any style of shoes from platform boots to mini loafers or mules.
Wondering which brown pants outfit men can wear? All of the options below are completely gender-neutral, meaning that the styles can be worn interchangeably for men and women.
10 Outfit Ideas with Brown Pants
1. Light academia
The first brown pants outfit on our list is a light academia style, ideal for wearing to school or work because of the sophisticated yet casual vibe. The bottoms appear to be a comfortable cotton with a straight-leg fit, paired with white sneakers for a more minimal style.
The cream-colored sweater vest and white polo long sleeve elevate the bottoms and sneakers for a seamless and stylish look that’s ready to go wherever you do. Of course, a pair of glasses and a brown leather bookbag complete the ensemble.
2. Patterned
Wondering how to style brown pants that are patterned? Take this look, for example, a zebra-patterned pair of brown and white bottoms. The plain cropped brown baby tee pairs seamlessly with the brown coloring in the pants while keeping things simple to let the pattern do all the talking.
For a few extra accessories, we recommend a chunky pair of brown boots and a white baseball cap or purse! And if the weather is a little cooler, opt for a white or brown (your choice!) shacket for a casual and comfortable look. You can also play with patterns and try a check detailing or animal print.
3. Autumn
As the long days turn into long evenings and red and yellow leaves fall from all the trees, warm tones become everyone’s go-to. A pair of chic, skinny-fit brown pants and a long sleeve fitted turtleneck feels like a no-brainer.
Pair with a sleek black pea coat and pointed-toe black booties, and you’ve got stylish fall fashion under your belt. An oversized tote bag and an umbrella are also must-haves, especially for the cooler, dreary weather.
4. Winter
Ideal for cooler weather, leather has a chic shine and stylish design. These bottoms are a warm brown tone, which is ideal for pairing with creamy, warm-toned fabrics. The look features a semi-wide-leg fit with a balloon sleeve, cream-colored sweater that has a cropped shape.
The white leather pointed toe booties and gold jewelry, as well as the sleek bun, feel sophisticated and yet casual, ideal for adding a little warmth to a cool day. Pair with a simple white pea coat, and you’ll be prepped for any weather.
5. Wide leg
Balance is key with most outfits, so it only makes sense to pair wide-leg bottoms with a fitted top. This ensemble features a cropped cami with a sweetheart neckline and super skinny straps in a similar shade of brown.
The white sneakers add a little juxtaposition to the otherwise monochrome style, for a more visually interesting look. The mini purse also offsets the wide leg of the bottoms, while the brown color feels seamless without being too matchy-matchy.
6. Linen
If you’re on the hunt for a reason to wear brown pants in the summer, look no further than a flowy, lightweight linen material. These bottoms have a palazzo style that feels carefree and full of life, while the warm chocolate brown oozes summer vibes.
Pair with a white strappy tank top and go barefoot to peruse through the sand, or opt for a pair of espadrilles and a matching straw purse for a walk through the city streets. If the slight breeze makes things a little chilly, opt for a fitted white cardigan with a lace front detailing.
7. Business casual
Whether you’re headed to work, a meeting or business casual is just your vibe, a pair of brown slacks is the way to go. This pair has a long crease down the center with a pleated front and a tapered leg for a classy look.
Pair it with an oversized brown hat and white booties for stylish, western-style accessories, and opt for a turquoise knit turtleneck for a little juxtaposition. For cooler weather, try an oversized black pea coat for extra dimension.
8. Paperbag waist
The bottoms everyone has in their closet? A pair of paperbag waist cotton pants with a thick tie detailing for dimension at the center. These bottoms are in a warm, mustardy brown with a tapered leg and pair seamlessly with black high-top Converse.
The graphic tee adds a cool as casual touch, and the black tone pairs nicely with the shoes and matching tote. It’s tucked in to give extra shape to the waist, while the hair is pulled back into a loose low bun for a comfortable, natural look.
9. Leather
On the hunt for something versatile? Opt for a light brown pair of leather pants with a pleated waist design. These bottoms cinch in the smallest point to create an hourglass silhouette and are ideal all year round.
Pair with an oversized white button-down for a relaxed yet sophisticated fit, along with some strappy white heels. When winter rolls around, replace the blouse with a white turtleneck and a plaid shacket for a classic cool-weather look.
10. Corduroy
Wondering what to wear with brown corduroy pants? Look no further than extra texture. These tapered leg bottoms have a high ankle fit, perfect for pairing with white low-top sneakers and a shiny gold anklet.
The YSL black belt bag is worn as a crossbody with matching oversized black sunnies. The white tee and creamy beanie play off each other, while the comfortable brown fur jacket is cropped at the waist to pair nicely with the high-cut bottoms.
What Type of Brown Pants Can You Get?
Wide leg, corduroy, linen, denim, paperbag, capris, skinny, leather…The list of options for brown pants could go on for days. Like all bottoms, there are a number of different styles to choose from to pair with your personal aesthetic.
Corduroy and wide-leg brown pants are ideal for boho, vintage, and eclectic styles because they add texture and a unique detail to any look. On the other hand, linens and cotton blends can feel more sophisticated, but it all depends on how you style them.
Low waisted, high waisted, and mid-rise pants are also included in the different types of brown pants, which can easily fit a number of styles and really depend on personal preference. There are a variety of different lengths as well, from capris to extra long for different heights and weather.
With all that being said, there are also various patterns to choose from, from plaid prints to 70s designs to checkered patterns. It can all be easily dressed up or down by trading a simple pair of sneakers for a chunky heel or loafer.
How to Choose The Best Brown Pants
Before you decide what to wear with brown pants, it helps to consider what exactly you’re looking for. Like all wardrobe essentials, there are a number of things to keep in mind when shopping, which we will outline down below.
- Price
- Quality
- Material
- Fit
- Style
First up, of course, is the price of the pants. A classic pair of bottoms shouldn’t be too expensive, but they shouldn’t be too cheap either if you’re looking for a quality design that will last at least a few years.
It’s always important to find something within budget, but a wardrobe staple is also an investment and it’s best to find fabrics and craftsmanship that will be durable and comfortable. Speaking of, the material of the pants is something to consider.
Brown pants can come in a wide variety of fabrics, such as soft cottons, flowy linens, warm velvets, and thick leathers. This all depends on your preference, so keep an eye out for specific materials to find the most comfortable fit as well as the style you’re looking for.
On that note, the fit and style are another thing to keep in mind, especially in consideration of the other pieces you have in your closet. You can find anything from high-waisted, chic leather options, to low-waisted, cool and casual linen pants.
How to Style Brown Pants
When you’re wondering what to wear with brown pants, the key thing to remember is that they can be styled in numerous ways to create a different vibe. The colors and accessories you choose can affect the overall look you achieve.
Wondering what color shirt goes with brown pants? The simple answer is that you can never go wrong with another shade of brown. That being said, deep shades of purple such as aubergine, or dark blues, greens, and turquoises look great. But, light pinks, blues, and earthy tones will be pretty stylish too.
In the case of color, it really just depends on your personal comfort zone, because the truth is that most options will pair seamlessly with your brown pants. But, browns, blacks, and whites are always a great fail-safe.
Accessories go a long way, too. Simple jewelry pieces, hats, purses, and footwear can really create a different vibe. For example, a pair of brown wide-leg pants will look completely different when paired with cowboy boots versus a pair of white strappy heels!
So, when determining what to wear with brown pants, keep your personal style in mind, as well as the look you’re going for. Plus, if you’re doing something specific, like going to pick strawberries in a field or go for a night out, opt for accessories and colors that suit the event!
Fashion Tips to Avoid With Brown Pants
When styling brown pants, there are a few things you may want to consider avoiding. That being said, style is personal and subjective, and you can pair whatever you want with your brown pants and look great as long as you feel confident and comfortable.
First up on our list? Avoid being afraid to wear brown pants. Sure, the color is pretty bold despite the fact that it’s on the muted end of things. And patterns can be daunting, as well as the whole idea of styling the bottoms themselves.
To be real, bright yellows, oranges, and red can clash with brown pants, which likely isn’t what you’re going for. More muted options of those same colors can feel autumnal, so it’s best to wear them during the fall (especially with a pair of dark brown booties).
Another thing to keep in mind? Avoid forest green shades because this can resemble a tree. But, brighter greens or blue-toned greens can look great, depending on the shade of brown.
Essentially, what we’re saying here is that it can be fun to play with color and try out different tops to see what you think looks best!
How to Take Care of Brown Pants
Like most items in your wardrobe, brown pants require the proper care to stay in good condition and last a long time. Overall, the care depends on the material, but we’ve got a few tips for keeping your pair in tip-top shape:
- Wash with a mild detergent on a gentle cycle
- Air dry flat or tumble dry on low, depending on the fabric
- Spot clean when necessary
Also, be sure to wash with similar colors to help maintain the deep brown coloring, and avoid dying your fav whites a weird tan shade!
Best Places to Buy Brown Pants
Now that you’ve got a little inspiration for what to wear with brown pants, you may be ready to purchase a pair of your own. Below, we’ve compiled a list of all our fave places to shop for these unique and trendy bottoms:
- Urban Outfitters
- Gap
- Reformation
- Amazon
- Nordstrom
- Zara
- Target
- Macy’s
Final Thoughts
We’ve covered different ways to style, a number of outfit ideas, and all the different options available to help you develop some ideas when it comes to what to wear with brown pants.
After reading our guide, we hope you feel empowered to style a pair of brown pants and rock them in a variety of ways.
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