Stylish Khakis

For whatever reason, khakis have gradually become the outcasts of the pants world. But it needn't be so! Khaki itself is a chic, sleek, versatile neutral, and stylish women of every sort adore it in skirt, blazer, and trenchcoat format. Khaki pants are a staple for many working women and can most definitely be worn in creative and eye-catching ways. Here are some tips for keeping your khaki pant looks modern and fresh.

Very few humans look good in pleated pants, so I'll just come right out and recommend investigating flat front styles. Also be aware of pocket placement. Designers seem to think that side entry is oh-so-chic, but if you've got any hips or belly that style of pocket will just wing out and look odd. Top-entry pockets or no pockets work best on most figures. Finally, make sure your khakis are long enough, and consider getting a pair hemmed for flats and one for heels/wedges/platforms.

In my experience, light khakis tend to be less versatile than darker, more caramel-y khakis. So, for example, this color

will work better than this one

. ("Celestial taupe" better than "Trench.") Something in this almost-camel range can be fabulous, too. Pale khakis look nearly white under certain lighting, show stains and marks more easily, and are harder to incorporate into outfits. Warmer, darker tans will play better with a wider range of colors and textures than desaturated, gray-tinged ones.

Even the dressiest pair of khakis is still a relatively casual choice, so your sweater, top, or blazer should be in the casual family, too. The occasional dressy-casual juxtaposition will work but, overall, tops should be cotton, wool, linen, and other weighty fabrics. Slippery silks, anything super shiny, and extremely lightweight or sheer fabrics will likely look a bit odd worn with sturdy, stolid tan pants. Quality tees, button-downs, mid- to heavy-weight sweaters, most blazers, and cardigans should all work well.

Shoes can be tough when working with khakis. I will always, always push cognac brown as a near-universal neutral for shoes, and they work beautifully with most pairs of khaki pants. Gray and tan are also great choices since they're pale neutrals and create a relatively unbroken line all the way down to the ground. But picking up a color from somewhere else in your outfit is a great way to tie everything together, too. More on that in a moment.

Image source As you'll soon see, khaki pants work best in neutral mixes. It breaks my heart to say it, but generally speaking pairing your khakis with other neutral colors - chocolate, cognac, white, gray, black, cream, and even the outliers like navy and olive - will create the most reliably chic and modern-looking ensembles. This particular group of garments won't work for everyone, but the black shoes and belt, white tee, and olive outer layer can be re-created in many ways. And, of course, feel free to mix up the colors using pieces within your wardrobe.

Image source Yeah, I know that's a crazy-looking fur she's got on, but you get the idea. The coat and the pants have the same shade in them, and look utterly lovely together. If pairing patterns with your khakis seems challenging, seek prints that have some khaki in them already. Printed sweaters, blouses, and tees are natural choices, but printed scarves that include khaki in their patterns work equally well.

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Leopard and khaki generally look fabulous together, especially if both contain warm tones. But I realize leopard and other animal prints won't always fly at the office or in the store, at least not in clothing format. If you can sneak in leopard shoes or a belt, though, it can add so much sass to a khaki-based outfit. Keep other elements fairly plain to offset the print.

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Chocolate brown shoes can look a bit strange with khakis since they cause the eye to stop abruptly at the ankle. Overall, lighter shoes work better since they create an unbroken leg line, as the gray shoes shown here do. But chocolate brown itself can work beautifully with khaki, especially in a neutral color mix of three or more shades. Here, white takes that third position, but cream, gray, or even maroon could just as easily stand in.

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Denim shirts and khakis worn together can look less-than-chic, it's true, but they can also make a dynamite combination when styled with skill. As is the case with the Breton top, the key is to accessorize with care. Add an interesting belt, maroon or leopard shoes, a houndstooth scarf, a stack of bangles, a statement necklace, or a soft blazer in a complementary neutral. This combo may not work for most offices during the week, but it's a great bet for Fridays.

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Again, I don't fully condone these guys, but if you've got a pair that needs wearing, this outfit shows a good bet: Utilizing pattern. See how that scarf includes the stone color from the pants and the maroon and olive from the jacket? It ties everything together and allows for the pairing of a dark top with a very pale bottom. Since pale khakis are tough to wear with other solids, I think khaki-containing patterns as bridging pieces are the way to go.

Very few of the examples I found incorporated vibrant colors, but if you're looking to do so I recommend maroon, burgundy, magenta, orange, or just about any color with red undertones, especially for the warm khakis I prefer. Pairing super-saturated brights and neons with khaki and camel is very trendy right now, but can be tough to pull off, so if you're feeling leery, stick to reddish shades. Overall, though, I'd say the best way to create consistently chic ensembles is to wear your khakis with at least two other neutral tones and accessorize creatively. Utilize pattern to bridge when you can, mind your shoe choice, and have fun.

Are you a khaki pants-wearer? Do you find them to be challenging? How do you style yours? What's your go-to shoe for khaki pants outfits? Think any of the above recommendations would work for your personal style?

Sally McGraw is the author of Already Pretty, a daily blog about the intersection of style and body image.