Choosing what color pants to pair with a dark shirt can seem tricky, but with some simple guidelines it’s easy to create a stylish and put-together look. The most important factors to consider are the exact shade of your dark shirt, what tone or “temperature” that shade is, and what style you’re aiming for.
Quick Answers
Some quick answers to common questions about pairing pants with a dark shirt include:
- Black pants are always a safe option for any dark shirt.
- Dark indigo jeans work well with black or charcoal shirts.
- Tan or khaki pants pair nicely with deep red or purple shirts.
- Light gray pants complement navy blue or dark green shirts.
- White or cream pants make a summery look with burgundy or eggplant shirts.
Shirt Color Shade
The specific dark shade of your shirt should inform your choice of pants color. Lighter shades like navy blue or slate gray can be paired with equally light pants like tan or light gray. Very dark shades like black or charcoal allow more options, including light or dark pants.
| Shirt Color | Recommended Pant Colors |
|---|---|
| Navy blue | Khaki, tan, light gray |
| Charcoal gray | Black, indigo, tan, khaki |
| Black | Black, indigo, gray, tan, white |
| Burgundy | Cream, tan, indigo |
| Dark green | Tan, stone, light gray |
As a general rule, pair dark shirt colors with pant colors of similar depth. Lighter shades look better with equally light pants, while very dark shades allow more flexibility.
Shirt Color Temperature
Beyond just depth of shade, the temperature or undertone of your shirt color also affects what pants pair well. Cool-toned shades like navy, deep purple and charcoal look best with equally cool light grays, silvers, and blues. Warm earth tones like deep red, brown, and forest green coordinate with warm tans, golds, and browns.
| Shirt Color Temperature | Recommended Pant Colors |
|---|---|
| Cool (blue, gray, purple undertones) | Light gray, silver, pale blue |
| Warm (red, yellow, green undertones) | Tan, khaki, cream, brown |
Matching the dominant undertones results in a harmonious, blended look. Combining warm and cool shades rarely works with dark shirts.
Style Goals
Your overall style and the look you’re going for should play a role in choosing pant colors too. Some examples:
- Edgy: Black shirt with black jeans or leather pants
- Business casual: Navy shirt with tan trousers
- Formal: Charcoal shirt with black dress pants
- Casual: Mid-wash denim with maroon shirt
- Monochrome: Black shirt with light gray pants
Consider the vibe you want to achieve and choose pants in a color and material that enhances that style. Heading to a rock concert or going for edgy? Black on black is foolproof. Need a work-appropriate outfit? Opt for neutral trousers. Weekend errands? Dark denim is a go-to.
Material
Beyond color, the material or texture of the pants also matters when pairing with a dark shirt. The most common pant materials include:
- Denim – A classic choice that works in dark washes for casual cool or medium blue for retro vibes. Avoid light denim.
- Chinos – Crisp khaki, tan, olive, or gray chinos give off preppy, smart vibes.
- Trousers – Tailored trousers in wool or cotton lend a sharper, dressier aesthetic.
- Leather/Faux Leather – Sleek leather or vegan leather pants amp up the edge factor.
- Joggers – Jersey cotton joggers keep things casual and athletic.
In most cases, choose pant materials that match the shirt’s level of formality. Such as relaxed cotton joggers with a casual tee or smart wool trousers with a button-down. Leather pants are one exception that can work with dressier shirts for an unexpected combo.
Avoiding Clashes
When deciding what not to pair with a dark shirt, there are a few key color and style combos that tend to clash:
- Light washed denim – Can look dated and washed out.
- Bold prints or patterns – Compete too much with a dark solid shirt.
- Shorts – Tend to look imbalanced with a dark top.
- Athletic sweatpants or shorts – Too casual for most dark shirts.
- Distressed/aged pants – Different levels of wear don’t mix well.
Stick to solid colors rather than prints or loud patterns, and aim for clean and sleek pants rather than distressed. Balance is key to avoid looking disheveled.
Full Outfit Considerations
When building a full outfit with dark shirt and pants, consider these elements as well:
- Shoes – Opt for leather shoes or boots in brown, black, tan, or gray. Sneakers can also work for casual combos.
- Belt – Match leather belt color to shoes. Silver or fabric belts work too.
- Tie – A simple tie in blue, purple, burgundy or paisley pattern pulls dressier looks together.
- Jewelry – Silver, steel and leather bracelets/necklaces complement without clashing.
- Jacket – For colder weather, add a black or gray blazer, leather jacket, or tailored overcoat.
Aim for cohesion from top to bottom. Monochrome with all black or shades of gray is always stylish. Don’t forget dark shirts and pants pair perfectly under blazers, peacoats and overcoats when needed.
Examples
Some go-to color pairings for dark shirts and pants include:
| Shirt Color | Pant Color |
|---|---|
| Black | Black, light gray, indigo |
| Navy blue | Tan, khaki, light gray |
| Charcoal gray | Medium-wash denim, black, tan |
| Burgundy | Cream, light tan |
| Forest green | Olive green, tan |
| Deep purple | Light gray, indigo |
Use these classic pairings as a starting point, then tweak shades or materials to perfectly match the exact dark shirt you’re wearing. With the right pants choice, you can always look sharp and stylish in a dark shirt.
Conclusion
Finding pants to match a dark-colored shirt follows some basic guidelines while allowing room for personal style. Focus on choosing a pant shade that equals the depth and undertone of your shirt color. Black, indigo, gray, tan, and khaki are hues that pair seamlessly with most dark tops. Denim, chinos, trousers and leather work for different vibes. Avoid clashes like bold patterns or heavily distressed washes. Aim for balance and cohesion. With the right pants, your dark shirt can anchor any stylish outfit. Use these tips to look confident, put-together, and fashion-forward in dark on dark pairings.
