Would you wear a black shirt with khakis?

[dalej42]

I'm a male. I've gotten the idea that a black shirt/sweater might look good with khaki pants. Is this a horrible fashion statement? I'm guessing black shirt, khaki pants, black belt, white socks, and black shoes. Shoes and belt must match. I thought of the white socks because socks can match the pants or the shoes. Black socks would just be too weird. Try it or forget it?

[aaslatten]

I'd give it a try but match the socks to the shoes.

[Marley23]

I wear black shirts with khakis fairly often and nobody's ever pointed and laughed.

[dalej42]

Originally Posted by aaslatten

I'd give it a try but match the socks to the shoes.

black socks against khaki pants? I'm not sure that would work. That is why I thought of the white.

[Khadaji]

I do often.

... but I'm not sure you should be taking fashion advice from me.

[even sven]

You always wear dark socks with dark shoes. White socks are for tennis shoes and other extreme casual outfits.

[iampunha]

I *have* worn black shirts with any number of different types of pants...

[Folly]

Right this moment I'm wearing a dark gray, knitted shirt with khakis.
Shoes are black/brown work boots. I have to admit the socks are white, but you can't actually see them, so I don't see how it matters.

Then again, there is no around to point and laugh at the moment.

[TellMeI'mNotCrazy]

My brother wears black shirts/sweaters with khakis and looks rather sharp when he does.

Of course, I guess my brother could probably wear a burlap sack and pull it off. Pisses me off to no end

[NinjaChick]

I'm wearing that at this very moment. Black hoodie, khakis, black-and-gray stripped socks.

'Course, I'm also a college student on a weekend, so...probably not the best judge.

[Eve]

One of the beauties of khaki pants (or skirt) is, like blue denim, they go with nearly everything.

Nearly. A pale gray would look awful with khakis, though I'm sure Folly's dark gray looks fine.

So, yes: black shirt with khakis? Superb.

[CrazyCatLady]

The black shirt with the khakis is fine. The rest of the ensemble, however, needs some work. Black shirt, khakis, brown belt, brown shoes, brown/tan socks.

[monstro]

Black shirt and khakis sounds like a nice ensemble. White socks will ruin it, though.

[PinkMarabou]

Typically, the rule of thumb for the sock thing is it has to be :

1. an extension of the shoe
2. an extension of the pant

With the attire you've described, you will need to wear black socks. Like someone else mentioned, white socks are only for casual/athletic wear.

[jnglmassiv]

If I'm going to wear black shoes with khakis, I always go socks that are close to the color of the khakis. I like to mix it up with different patterns of paislies or maybe some stripes and perhaps ribs or other texture to the socks. White could hardly be any worse, IMO.

[ParentalAdvisory]

Everyone so far has said that the black shirt/sweater would work well with Khakis. Is everyone assuming that the Khakis are white/vanilla colored?

[Licentious Ectomorph]

I do black shirt, khaki pants, black belt, black socks, black shoes. My SO is opposed to wearing black shoes with khakis, but overall I think it's a sharp look. The way I see it, black goes with anything; khaki goes with anything; so why not? Got to disagree with CrazyCatLady about the brown belt and shoes...that would look pretty odd to me with a black shirt.

[Mr. Blue Sky]

Originally Posted by Marley23

I wear black shirts with khakis fairly often and nobody's ever pointed and laughed.

Well, to your face, anyway.





I kid!

[TellMeI'mNotCrazy]

Originally Posted by ParentalAdvisory

Everyone so far has said that the black shirt/sweater would work well with Khakis. Is everyone assuming that the Khakis are white/vanilla colored?

I'm assuming they're... khaki colored. Sorta light tan, but not white or vanilla.

[ioioio]

The black shoes must not be dressy shoes; they must be casual (loafers, wingtips, Hush Puppies). Black socks, okay. A patterned sock that's black and tan or black and gray, okay. White socks, absolutely not.

[kittenlm]

*Rowr* I LOVE black shirts with khakis!! HOT, HOT, HOT!!!

But you must get out of the white sock thing...that's just.........wrong.

[Hal Briston]

Originally Posted by kittenlm

*Rowr* I LOVE black shirts with khakis!! HOT, HOT, HOT!!!

:: Takes copious notes ::

[Rubystreak]

Am I the only one who's going to say a big NO to the black with khakis? It's a bad idea. Black and brown just do not go together. Ever. That's why they make brown shoes and black shoes for men-- because you need both. Now, if the khakis were greenish/olive, then the black would be OK. I also think the shoes should match the shirt, and men should never wear white socks with any shoes other than sneakers, or boots where no one will see them.

[Seven]

Black shirt with khakis = Good.

Black shirt, khakis and rainbow toe socks = Fan-tab-u-las!

[Ringo]

This is a trick question, right?

Of course, I'd wear anything with khakis.

[Enright3]

from http://About.Fashion.com

Socks should tie an outfit together, but don't need to match anything. Men's hosiery should complement the entire ensemble. Dark socks -- esp. black are a good bet with suits. You can add prints or color to express your personality. Here's a general guideline for shoes:
Shirts and pants don't need to match anything really -- they should complement each other. You can do this with contrast -- say a white shirt with black pants. Or with varying shades of the same hue -- like a dark charcoal gray pant with a lighter heather gray sweater.

If socks could only match the shoes, why are there so many colors of socks? I see more people matching socks with their pants than just wearing black with everything. Navy pants = Navy Socks or Gray Socks. Black pants = black socks. Khaki casual (i.e. dockers) pants = light tan socks + brown casual shoe.
E3

[Enright3]

From http://www.salescene.com/5fashq02.html

Dear Amanda;
I am required to wear kahki pants and a white shirt (NOT a polo or T) for an upcoming trade show. I have found a good looking Brooks Brothers white shirt; I've found some kahki pants. Now I need to know what style and color shoes. Since I will be on my feet all day, my first choice would be some good walking tennis shoes but know these would not be appropriate. Also, depending on the color of the shoes, what color socks (I definitely would prefer socks to hose). By the way, I am in my 60's if that makes any difference.
Thanks for any advice you can dispense!
Joy Jenkins (joy.jenkins@usa.net)

Dear Joy;
My advice is to stay away from the tennis shoes! I would go with more of a loafer type shoe in a brown. I would suggest a tan coloured sock. Make sure when choosing your socks that you do not go with a dark brown, this colour choice would not be very flattering with khaki pants. I would also choose a sock with some texture or even a pattern to it like, ribbed, argyle or even hounds tooth.

[Really Not All That Bright]

I wear a black shirt with khakis at work every day, just about.

Do it at home too.

The ladies seem to approve in general- but no white socks!

[Scissorjack]

Black shirt with khakis is a great combination: I wear mine {a nice tight Avirex T-shirt with brown R M Williams boots, so the belt has to be brown to match: no reason you can't wear black shoes, just make sure the belt matches {and the watch strap too, and no, I'm neither kidding nor gay}.

Make sure the jacket matches too, if you're wearing one: never mix two colours of leather - not sure I'd wear a navy or grey jacket with brown shoes {that's what tweed is for}, but navy jacket, black shirt, khakis and black shoes and socks should look good}

Of course, when I break out my charcoal-grey {with a faint chalk pin-stripe} double-breasted cashmere jacket, with a black T-shirt, khakis and boots, stand back, 'cos that's when the ladies start swooning.

White socks are verboten unless you're running, playing tennis, or at the gym. White socks with black shoes is social death - they make your feet look like a pair of priests.

In the immortal words of ZZ Top, "Every girl crazy 'bout a sharp-dressed man".

[Already in Use]

Yes to the black shirt with khakis. No to the white socks with black shoes. (I've been guilty of it, but it's because I'm in college and couldn't be bothered to do laundry. I'm not proud.) Yes to socks in black, dark gray, or any bright color if you're feeling adventurous (I've seen some pictures of Paul McCartney wearing yellow socks with otherwise sober dark outfits circa 1969, and I find the look quite dashing). No to socks in light gray, pastel colors, navy blue, khaki, and probably olive green. I can't really think of any rule; I'm just picturing the combinations in my head. If we're talking combinations of colors, it gets more complicated.

[Lamia]

Another vote for no white socks. That flash of white at the ankle is just going to draw the eye in that direction. Not good. I'd go with tan socks.

[Eve]

Originally Posted by Rubystreak

Am I the only one who's going to say a big NO to the black with khakis? It's a bad idea. Black and brown just do not go together. Ever.

I couldn't agree more about never mixing black and brown (and don't get me started on navy!), but khaki is not "brown." It's such a neutral beige it could sometimes be mistaken for ivory.

[voguevixen]

Originally Posted by Eve

I couldn't agree more about never mixing black and brown (and don't get me started on navy!), but khaki is not "brown." It's such a neutral beige it could sometimes be mistaken for ivory.

Exactly. Khaki is a neutral that can be worn with most anything. As is black, pretty much. As a rule of thumb, I think it's better to pair a black with a brown then attempt to pair two browns together and risk either them clashing (a warm brown with a cool brown), or looking too "match-y" in a Garanamals sort of way. It helps if you're wearing a tweedy sort of brown that has a bit of black in it, or black with a bit of brown. Do not ever, ever wear brown shoes with black pants, though. That is just psychotic.

White socks with white shoes ONLY. Or if you're going to be wearing a boot/high-top sneaker where no-one can see your socks anyway.

Regarding matching the shoes with a belt or handbag - forget it. Too far apart; concentrate on the stuff right next to each other. If they do match that's fine, but not if they clash with the rest of what you're wearing.

Random fashion kvetching: Ladies, do NOT wear a white bra under a white shirt or sweater. Wear a flesh colored one or you have great, glowing ghost bra syndrome.

[norinew]

I think that a black top with khaki pants (or a khaki skirt if you're inclined to wear skirts) is classic; you just can't mess it up. Socks, IMHO, should be tan, or, if you're wearing black shoes, black.

[Beware of Doug]

Socks should be black or white. It's a guy thing. You get 3 colors of socks, next thing you know you have a rainbow of socks and you're color coordinating them with the rhinestones in your nose ring.

All kidding aside, go with khaki socks. They were good enough for the boys who won WW2, they're fine for you.

[Eve]

Best of all: Just no one ever get dressed without coming onto the SDMB first and getting our okays.

[voguevixen]

Originally Posted by Eve

Best of all: Just no one ever get dressed without coming onto the SDMB first and getting our okays.

That's why I'm still in my robe!

[monica]

The white socks will not work with that outfit.

In fact, when we did our last theatre show, and the guys all had to wear black shoes, I (a techie on costume crew at the time) was told that if the guys forgot their black socks, I was to spraypaint their feet.

This leaves you with two options:
1)black socks.
2)spraypaint.

I would reccomend the black socks, but if you go with the spraypaint method, can I do it? Please? Everyone remembered their socks last time, which was very disappointing- I really wanted to spraypaint someone's feet.

[SusanStoHelit]

I second kitten's post. A guy in a snug pair of khakis (make sure they fit) and a black or dark charcoal mock-turtleneck= *swoon*

[Bear_Nenno]

Originally Posted by ParentalAdvisory

Everyone so far has said that the black shirt/sweater would work well with Khakis. Is everyone assuming that the Khakis are white/vanilla colored?

Khaki is a color. Are you assuming that "khaki" refers to the style of pants or the material they're made from? My ex-girlfriend used to call any pants of a certain style or material to be "khakis". So she could have blue khakis and black khaki pants or grey khaki pants....

But, of course, she was a total freaking retard. Khaki is a light olive brown to moderate or light yellowish brown color. If your pants are not that color, then you are not wearing khakis!!

[SusanStoHelit]

Bear_Nenno, I think most manufacturers of light-tan cotton slacks call them [url=http://www.us.dockers.com/fal04a/dockers/prod/d_prod.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374305282451&bmUID=1102283487834]Khakis[/b] to distinguish them from Chino or Cargo styles.

[dalej42]

I will never wear white socks except for working out again. Thanks to the SDMB!

[jabiru]

Originally Posted by Eve

I couldn't agree more about never mixing black and brown (and don't get me started on navy!), but khaki is not "brown." It's such a neutral beige it could sometimes be mistaken for ivory.

What have you got against navy?

And I always thought khaki was a sort of olive-ish green colour, rather than a brown-ish colour. Until recently, that is. Everything nondescript brownish/beigish/olivey greenish gets called khaki now.

[Khampelf]

I think White Socks have taken a terrible beating in this thread. Almost all of my socks are white, and I wear them proudly with Black shoes, usually under Black denim. Casually, and at work.

I'm a child of the 80's and I associate this pecadillo with the Ska/Mod look we were going for, back then.

If this is the only shred of my teenage rebelliousness left, I will cling to it.

Up with White Socks!!!

[Rubystreak]

I think we may not be thinking of the same color when we say "khaki." To me that means a brown color, light tan, which should not be worn with black. Now, if you're thinking of a more olive color, that's a totally different story, but those aren't really khaki colored to me (though I agree they are often referred to as khakis). I may be the lone person who feels this way, but I still believe that light brown pants should be worn with brown shoes and not with black.

[Bear_Nenno]

Originally Posted by SusanStoHelit

Bear_Nenno, I think most manufacturers of light-tan cotton slacks call them Khakis to distinguish them from Chino or Cargo styles.

That's fine, and I agree. That light brown is khaki. The problem, IMO, is when people call those same style cotton slacks "khakis", regardless of their color. If you have blue cotton slacks with a flat front fit, you're not wearing "blue khakis", you're wearing "blue slacks".

[Bear_Nenno]

Oh... and just to add:

White socks?! What are you people thinking? If you're not active or excersising or running or something, why would you wear white socks? The only other time I'd wear white socks is if they're the type you can't see past the top of the shoe anyway - those below-the-ankle types.

White socks.... geez.

[TellMeI'mNotCrazy]

Originally Posted by Rubystreak

I think we may not be thinking of the same color when we say "khaki." To me that means a brown color, light tan, which should not be worn with black. Now, if you're thinking of a more olive color, that's a totally different story, but those aren't really khaki colored to me (though I agree they are often referred to as khakis). I may be the lone person who feels this way, but I still believe that light brown pants should be worn with brown shoes and not with black.

The pants you linked to are the exact color I had in mind, and I still think that they look more than acceptable with black.

[Bear_Nenno]

Fer instance...
These pants are NOT khakis damnit! They're slacks.

[TellMeI'mNotCrazy]

Originally Posted by Bear_Nenno

Fer instance...
These pants are NOT khakis damnit! They're slacks.

The ones pictured (presumbaly the "British Khaki" color) are within my acceptable Khaki Color Spectrum.