Khaki: Brown or Black?

[Tiberius Jim]

I'm hoping some of the resident fashion gurus here *coughholdfastcough* could settle a dispute between a friend of mine.

It has been my understanding (and personal taste) that when one wears khaki slacks, they should be accompanied by brown dress shoes and a brown belt, regardless of the color of the shirt. Black slacks may also be accompanied by brown shoes/belt, but black shoes/belt would also be acceptable. However, I've found that black shoes/belt on khaki pants just looks wrong, even if one is wearing a black or dark colored shirt.

My friend, however, thinks that brown shoes/belt with khakis with a dark shirt is wrong, and that brown shoes/belt with khakis is only okay if one is wearing a light colored shirt. A dark shirt with khakis should be worn with black shoes/belt, according to them.

I couldn't remember where I heard what I did about this so I couldn't cite any sort of evidence in my defense (this started because yesterday I wore a black dress shirt, khaki slacks, and dark brown belt and shoes). Basically, I'm just trying to a. find out if I am right and b. make sure I'm not committing some terrible fashion faux pas.

And yeah, my friend and I really were debating fashion nearly all day at work. I scared even myself...

 

[Vulcan Princess]

I usually wear brown with khaki unless I'm wearing a black shirt, in which case I wear black. However, I rarely wear a black shirt with khaki because I think it looks funny.

(I don't know if the rules are different for men and women, though.)

 

[thestrangequark]

It is my opinion that khaki should be avoided altogether. Unless one is on safari, in which case it should be embraced.

But I think either black or brown can work, though brown looks better.

 

[Mysterion]

Disclaimer: I am NOT a fashion expert and am seen wearing jeans and a t-shirt almost exclusively.

My first instinct would to say brown with khaki. But, FWIW, when I first joined the US Army we still had the khaki Class-B uniform which was worn with black shoes (or boots in some situations) and a black belt.

 

[Tim]

I would tend towards brown shoes and belt with khakis, personally, since it's sort of an earth tones vibe. I think black shoes, belt, and/or shirt would clash a bit too much with the pants.

 

[enlisted person]

I prefer khaki with brown or unbleached cotton, black would look kinda gay IMHO.

 

[Tiberius Jim]

I would tend towards brown shoes and belt with khakis, personally, since it's sort of an earth tones vibe. I think black shoes, belt, and/or shirt would clash a bit too much with the pants.

That's what I'm saying. The shirt an be whatever color, but the belt and shoes should match with the pants.

 

[Beef Squatthrust]

I would say that in most instances brown shoes, socks and belt, but wearing a black shirt I'd go with black shoes and belt. I guess that means I agree with your friend Flux...

 

[Warp Coil]

My understanding is that black and brown are both considered neutrals, and could go just fine with khaki. However, I think the color of the shirt might have an influence on which color might look best.

 

[J.T.B.]

I always go with brown leather for khaki trousers. In the US Navy, BTW, brown shoes with khaki is the mark of aviation personnel, the rest wear black.

--Justin

 

[Tiberius Jim]

^ Interesting, I didn't know that about the Navy.

Also, the lack of Holdfast in this thread is disturbing.

 

[Colonel Midnight]

^ Interesting, I didn't know that about the Navy.

Hence the somewhat derogatory term used every so often of 'He/She is just a Brownshoe.'

Also, the lack of Holdfast in this thread is disturbing.

Indeed!

Cheers,
-CM-

 

[Joshua Howard]

I wear Khaki slacks with black shoes and black belt whenever I am not wearing something more formal, and get my variety out of shirt/tie color (I'll wear any color top with the Khaki/black. I've never had any desire to buy brown shoes. That's my personal rule of thumb.

In my opinion black shoes and belt are more versatile; a little polish when you hit your black shoe on something, and it is going to look better than other color would under the circumstances.

#1 fashion rule of thumb: anybody can make one. Yes, I do follow basic fashion rules; but on the same scale, I'm not so rigid about it that I go out of my way. As an example, fashion rules say you're always supposed to button the first and second button on a jacket, and leave the third undone... which I do; but I also wander around freely without any buttons done if I want to, as do many other folks. It's not a big deal. Ask yourself the question. Look in the mirror and say, does that look good? If it meets your expectations, it's gold.

 

[Tiberius Jim]

It is my opinion that khaki should be avoided altogether. Unless one is on safari, in which case it should be embraced.

But I think either black or brown can work, though brown looks better.

Agreed. I only wear khaki because my job's dress code doesn't allow black slacks to be worn with black shirts (and I prefer to wear black shirts, as white gets dirty too quickly) I guess they don't want us looking like Johnny Cash.

 

[Holdfast]

Also, the lack of Holdfast in this thread is disturbing.

I've been busy, OK?

"Khaki" means different things to different people (it's a light tan in the USA, but a somewhat darker "muddier" shade in the UK; it's also a name given to a type of fabric, regardless of colour).

In terms of the lighter colour tan khakis, which is probably the shade you mean, I personally prefer brown (either light or dark) or burgundy shoes, but one can wear black with them if you want. It's a much harder look to pull off, having military and/or more old-fashioned overtones, but I've seen it done well. More often, it's done badly. Non-black shades are much easier to pull off.

Experiment, look in the mirror, have fun with it and see what looks right to you.

 

[Maestro]

I'm with Holdfast on the burgundy shoes, even though I don't currently have a pair in active rotation.

In the US, there is no issue with wearing black shoes/belt with khakis, the color or the fabric.

The basic rules that we have are:
The belt and shoes should match color (I think you can have a brown belt with more reddish shades of shoes, but you cannot have a brown shoe and a black belt or vice versa).
Socks should match your pants.
Brown shoes and a brown belt should NOT be worn with black pants, even if they are khaki fabric. Black shoes/belt should always be worn with black pants.

 

[Galactus]

^^^^^
you are correct. Why would you wear a brown belt and shoes with black pants. That is scary and brings back bad memories of the sixties and seventies.

It is funny we are even having this discussion given the way people dress these days. I see every rule I know broken every single day by countless people, but people can do whatever they like.

 

[JonathonWally]

I don't own brown shoes or a brown belt.

Khakis I wear black shoes/boots, black or silver belt.

Jeans, either black shoes and a black belt or white sneakers with a white belt.

 

[iguana_tonante]

I don't really believe in "fashion rules": I understand the need for standardized guidelines for the unwashed masses, but the mark of the real manicured gentleman is that he sets his own trends and rules.

On the topic at hand, I will probably go with brown shoes/belt, but I don't see the black alternative as unthinkable. It is certainly more striking: if it's a good or bad thing, it's up to you to decide. Personally, I would not mind even something more outlandish, like fern green or greenish snake skin. But I've been know as a wacky dresser.

 

[Maestro]

I do have some white Gene Huntish loafers that I occasionally wear with khaki or tan trousers, and I don't much care what color my belt is.