A frequent fashion myth is that you can’t always wear brown clothes—specifically, that you can’t mix them with other neutral hues like black and navy or brighter colors like red and yellow. The truth is that brown is just as wearing as black—and, in fact, it may be more wearable because it is a slightly softer shade. Brown pants are a simple, low-rise approach to play with the hue. It’s farther away from your face, so it seems less intense, and it pairs well with brown or black shoes. Then wear them like any other trouser or jean, with your favorite button-down top or tee. You can also pair brown pants with a matching blazer or a bright color for a cool, dimensional look.
As the most popular color throughout the last few seasons, it’s certainly time to incorporate the grounding color into your outfit. There’s simply no reason not to embrace brown in your wardrobe, from low-key outfits and athleisure-inspired combinations to brown tints that compliment any skin tone or hair color.
If you’re looking for some specific inspiration or want to know which brown pants to buy, read down for 16 brown pant outfit ideas.
Brown does not have to be boring! In fact, there are a lot of alternatives that look almost caramel-colored. In other words, it serves as an effective bridge between neutrals.
Low-rise pants are back in style, and if you want to make your brown pants more fashionable, this is a great option. (It is clearly optional to wear a contrasting underlayer, as Caroline Daur does here.) Wear long pants with pointed toes below.
Flare or bootcut pants are an appealing style that serves as a basic trouser alternative. The jacket, shoes, sunglasses, and bag are all near-matches (meaning they’re almost the same hue but not quite), creating a tonal style that’s not dull.
Jeanne Damas is a French style icon, in part because she chooses surprising colors for her basics—including these casual brown trousers. She adds vibrancy with the blue top and red heels, while the navy bag and red lip provide the essential coherence. The brown pants serve as a neutral base layer.
