Are you wondering how to wear black pants stylishly? What shoes or jacket should you pair them with? What colours should you combine them with?
You're in the right place.
As a fashion enthusiast, I see black pants as a staple that’s essential to have in your wardrobe, so you'll never run out of outfit ideas.
However, there are many styles and fabrics, and to make the most of them, it's essential to know a few tips. That’s why I’ve put together this guide, which covers everything you need to know on this topic.
No matter your style, black trousers are an ideal choice for a comfortable and easy-to-wear outfit for everyday life. Create a contrast by pairing them with white, or embrace a monochromatic look with an all-black ensemble! Black trousers can also be teamed with a single vibrant colour, such as red, mustard yellow, or petrol blue. To decide what to wear with your black trousers, pay attention to their style and choose clothing and accessories that complement them. For loose-fitting black trousers, bohemian chic outfits are a great option!
Want to know more? Keep reading to discover:
- Tips for choosing black pants that flatter you,
- What colours you can pair with black pants, based on your preferences and style,
- What to wear with black jeans, flowy trousers, or even leather pants,
- How to accessorise your outfit to showcase your style (shoes, bags...),
- And plenty of inspiring outfit examples!
How to Choose the Perfect Black Trousers?
Easy to match and versatile, black pants can become a true ally when it comes to putting together stylish and comfortable outfits for everyday life. In the following lines, I'll share some tips on how to choose a pair of black pants that flatter you and that you can wear on many occasions.
A wardrobe essential that fits right in
There are many types of black pants: jeans, wide-leg, cropped... If you're unsure, there's a pretty simple trick to ensure you make the right choice. When buying your black pants, visualise your wardrobe and create at least three different outfits with them. Since it's a basic piece, it should fit your style, not the other way around. For example, if you regularly wear blouses, sophisticated tops, or suits, it would be wiser to opt for a classic, flowing pant with a straight cut and a front pleat that suits your style.
Select your size carefully
Choosing the right size is another factor not to be overlooked if you want to wear your pants multiple times. If you're shopping in-store, don’t hesitate to try on your pants. For online purchases, be sure to take your measurements beforehand to avoid ordering the wrong size. Look for pants that aren’t too tight, allowing you to move freely. To make you want to wear them every day, your pants should be comfortable and offer you freedom of movement.
👉 Do you have slightly wider hips and worry that your pants will keep sliding down? In that case, go for a high-waisted style, which you can easily pair with a belt. That way, you won't spend your day constantly pulling them up!
Do all colours really go with black?
It’s often said that black is an easy-to-wear and flattering colour because it pairs well with a variety of shades. Let’s explore this in detail in the following paragraphs to determine the colours that are easiest to pair with it.
The White
The combination of black and white creates a very stylish look, making it particularly well-suited for adding a haute couture effect to your outfit. Wearing a white top with black trousers brightens your face while also highlighting your pants.
This colour combination is primarily worn in winter and pairs well with warm clothing.
👉 Like white, grey contrasts nicely with black. However, it is more nuanced and adds a bit more subtlety to your outfit. While a black and white ensemble is often enough on its own, I suggest that if you want to wear grey with your black pants, you add a third colour in small accents. This could be white, but it can also be a bolder colour, such as fuchsia pink or mustard yellow.
The Black
The famous total black look is a timeless classic! However, it’s not as easy to pull off as it seems. The key lies in the art of blending different fabrics. With a pair of opaque black pants, you can pair them with materials like tulle, leather, wool, and lace… which will add depth to your outfit.
Don't hesitate to mix loose and fitted clothing to add some flair to your outfit. A successful ensemble will have a rock 'n' roll and grunge vibe, enhancing your silhouette while showcasing your dynamic personality.
Chestnut and Beige
These tones add a lot of authenticity to an outfit: they help create depth while still looking very natural. Moreover, they're perfect for creating connections and balancing your look: for instance, it’s easy to match a pair of natural leather shoes, a bag in the same material, and a beige vest.
Additionally, these colours are perfect for blonde to light brown women: they complement your hair colour beautifully and create the impression that your outfits have been thoughtfully selected to enhance your complexion.
Bright Colours
In fashion, black is often paired with a bright colour to create contrast. This can include fuchsia pink, apple green, petrol blue, bright yellow, or even red.
Typically, it's about one single colour, which creates a unique two-tone look. White can be added depending on the shade.
With a pair of black trousers, you could wear a top and shoes in a vibrant red to create a look that’s both stylish and energetic!
Purple and Yellow
The combination of black, purple, and mustard yellow is well-known: these three colours fit together perfectly, creating the ideal style for autumn and winter. Black and purple add sophistication to your outfit, while mustard yellow details brighten it up.
👉 These tones pair nicely with natural leather. Don't hesitate to wear them with a lovely pair of camel boots!
Metallic Shades
These bright colours are perfect for completing your outfit: they can be incorporated in small doses:
- on shoes,
- on a bag,
- through a piece of jewellery,
- with the buckle of a belt…
Gold and silver will effortlessly add elegance to your winter outfit, allowing you to express your style with ease.
What about pastel shades?
Pale green, light yellow, pale blue… Pastel shades are often worn in summer and align with the chic romantic trend. Pairing them with black pants can risk creating a too stark contrast, leading to a rather dull result. If you love pastel tones, I recommend teaming them with grey or white instead.
👉 The powder pink is a bit of an exception: it pairs well with black, especially if the outfit also includes grey! You'll achieve a soft and quite feminine look.
What to Wear with Black Jeans?
Of all the black pants, jeans are probably the easiest to pair! Depending on what you wear them with, you can achieve a more or less casual look.
To brighten up your face, don’t hesitate to wear a chic white shirt. A checkered top or a striped Breton shirt would be perfect to add some character to your outfit while keeping it classic.
With a black perfecto, you'll achieve a rock look that showcases your rebellious side!
When it comes to footwear, you can wear sneakers, derbies, or even boots! A lovely pair of heels can dress up your jeans if you need your outfit to be a bit smarter.
How to Style Black Leather Pants?
It’s a trendy and sexy fashion piece that, when styled well, can look very glamorous. To break away from the typical motorcycle outfit cliché, try to avoid pairing it with other leather garments. Instead, don’t hesitate to team it up with soft fabrics for contrast: a wool jacket, a cashmere jumper...
With a pair of black leather or faux leather pants, wear smart shoes with heels. In summer, you might opt for ankle-high sandals. If it's cooler, it's the perfect time to showcase a lovely pair of ankle boots!
👉 This type of trousers pairs exceptionally well with tone-on-tone outfits: don’t hesitate to wear shades of grey and white!
What to Wear with Black Loose Trousers?
Do you love clothing that is both loose and comfortable, yet stylish? If so, I recommend opting for a pair of flowy black pants. This type of garment is usually high-waisted and tends to flatter women of average to tall height. When well-tailored, it will enhance your curves if you have them.
👉 It can be worn with bohemian-style clothing, which is also loose-fitting and flattering. If you're on the lookout for shopping ideas in this trend, or inspiration on how to style your black pants, I invite you to visit our online store! You'll find original tops to help you create a unique style!
How to Style High-Waisted Black Carrot Pants?
These fluid trousers, tapered at the ankles and slightly wider at the thighs, suit most body shapes, but particularly flatter petite women. They can be teamed with either heels or flats, depending on the style you're after.
For the top, you can choose a stylish blouse or even a simple jumper (which you can tuck in a bit). Play with patterns and fabrics to personalise your outfit and give it some uniqueness!
What to Wear with Black Leggings?
Often criticised as a fashion faux pas, black leggings can actually be used to create lovely outfits, provided they are opaque and of good quality. In this case, they are similar to trousers: there are even items known as “treggings,” a mix of “trouser” and “legging.”
To elevate their style, wear them with a lovely long tunic or a denim jacket or shirt, which will give your outfit a bohemian touch.
Don’t forget the accessories to personalise your outfit!
To complete your look with black trousers and add some character, there's nothing better than incorporating one or more unique accessories that allow you to express who you are! This could be a scarf, a bag, jewellery, sunglasses, a brooch, or even a hat!
👉 Want to make your black and white outfit stand out? If so, go for a simple accessory in a bright colour that will add character to your look and help you shine!
I hope this article has provided you with plenty of tips for wearing black pants every day as well as inspiration to create a style that reflects who you are!
If you're looking for more fashion tips on how to effectively style the colour black in your outfits, feel free to check out this other blog post dedicated to how to wear a black dress!