Among the color spectrum, black is the most versatile shade as it goes along with almost every other color whether it’s warm tones such as red, or orange or cooler ones such as blue, purple, etc. As far as black pants go, a wide range of colored blazers can be paired with this wardrobe essential. So, what color blazer to wear with black pants?
You can pair almost any color blazer with black pants. It’s easy to pair both light and dark colors with black pants because they offer a naturally classier look that is backed up by a powerful lower body silhouette. If you’re more of a neutral person, choose a white, gray, brown, or beige blazer. Otherwise, more vibrant options like red, orange, green, and purple can be worn as either blazers or shirts under the blazers.
In this article, we’ll show you just how to pair black pants with all sorts of fun combinations that’ll definitely bring a tinge of style back into your life.
Black Pants and Blazer Color Coordination
There are some factors you need to keep in mind when wearing an unmatched blazer with black pants as this could go wrong, especially if you wear a wrongly matched color combination to a business professional setting.
Neutrals and Non-Neutrals
Always remember to wear more neutral-toned blazers with black pants when dressing up for business-professional settings. For a more informal setting, you can opt for bright and vibrant colors with black pants as this is a more casual outfit.
Neutral colors can be easily coordinated with not only black pants but also any other clothing item you choose. Generally, blazers that are in the hues of gray and navy blue are considered to be authentic, neutral colors for blazers. The black color is also a part of this list but it is best to not wear black pants with a black blazer as it can look like a mismatched suit and appear unflattering.
More neutral colors are brown, beige, chartreuse, and khaki. Tan blazers look great with dark pants if you want to try them out!
However, this doesn’t mean you can’t look sophisticated with other options on the spectrum. For instance, you can try burgundy, maroon, sage green, or different shades of blue. And although cream would count as a nude color, you can wear a cream blazer for a brighter appearance.
The Use of Contrast Is Important
In the world of fashion, contrast plays a pivotal role in creating a visually appealing and striking appearance. Or, having a more subdued look when needed. A combination of black slacks and a blazer can result in either an extremely low-contrast or a high-contrast outfit.
You can go for a more low-contrast look by pairing black pants with a blazer in a darker hue such as navy blue or gray. This will result in a more sophisticated appearance primarily meant for formal settings (or that dinner date you are anxious to go to).
On the other hand, a high-contrast outfit is one that uses black slacks with lighter colored blazers such as light gray. This will lead to a more striking appearance, perfect for a guys night out.
One important point to note is that there really isn’t a right or wrong when it comes to fashion in general. High and low contrast looks can look equally stunning. It ultimately boils down to your personal preference, the occasion, and your taste.
Colors That Go with Black Pants
Here are a few combinations you can choose when it comes to what to pair with black pants. All of these options are versatile and go with any and every type of black pant, whether it is jeans, chinos, or dress pants.
Also, you shouldn’t miss these other informative men’s style guide posts:
- What Color Pants to Wear With Tan Blazer?
- What Color Pants to Wear with A Brown Blazer?
- Can You Wear a Navy Blazer With Black Pants?
1. Black Pants and Blue Blazer
When it comes to the color blue, there can be a lot of options ranging from darker blue shades to lighter blue shades. You can go from an icy, almost white blue, to a sky-blue color, all the way down to navy.
If your pants have a pattern on them, match that pattern up with something textured or plain on top. If you’re feeling brave, you can match identical patterns like pinstripes as long as they look well together.
Looser pants can go well with lighter shades, although there’s nothing wrong with more fitted pants. The good thing about wearing black pants with a blazer, is that you can dress it up or down.
2. Black Pants and White Blazer
In casual or smart-casual contexts, a white blazer can be worn with black slacks, but this should be avoided for business-casual settings, as it is a very contrasted and striking combo. The wisest course of action is typically to keep with straightforward and neutral/near-neutral shirt colors given how daring the combo is likely to appear.
3. Black Pants and Brown Blazer
In smart-casual or business-casual environments, brown blazers can be worn with black slacks; like with all else, you can change the way you dress it depending on the occasion.
For instance, if you’d prefer an appearance suited for daytime, pair the pants and blazer with a lighter top. For a suave, mystery guy appearance, try a darker top.
This tip can come in handy, especially when you don’t have the time or patience to mix and match outfits. Try wearing all black, and add a different colored blazer. Or wear whatever blazer you want on top – keeping the overall silhouette and build of your clothes.
Black slacks with a light brown blazer make for a casual-looking, high-contrast outfit. Typically, a dark brown blazer would be preferable for dressing up for business rather than casually.
4. Black Pants and Red Blazer
Pairing black slacks with red blazers can look absolutely striking. However, you should approach this combination with sheer caution in business-casual contexts. For a more understated, professional look, go for darker and more subdued hues of red such as bordeaux or maroon.
On the other hand, if you truly want to make a fashion statement and have all the eyes turned, then a scarlet blazer with black is a perfect choice. Regardless, whatever you opt for, a bright blazer color should always be balanced with a more neutral colored shirt. Otherwise, the outfit will quickly turn into an eyesore due to the unmatched color scheme.
5. Black Pants and Gray Blazer
Black slacks and a gray jacket go well together to create a monochromatic, grayscale ensemble. Darker gray blazers typically work well in more formal settings.
A low-contrast, sophisticated outfit made up of dark neutrals would result from wearing a dark gray jacket with black pants.
When paired with black jeans, a light gray blazer would have a completely different appearance. Yes, it would still be neutral, but the combination would be far more daring than a dark gray blazer with black jeans would be.
Contrary to popular belief, gray is an incredibly versatile color that can adhere to skin tones, lighting, weather and across night and day. We feel like many men these days only have one or two shades of gray in their closet. Try experimenting with this shade; it can be worn not just with black pants, but with both bright and subdued colors.
6. Black Pants and Tan Blazer
Pairing black trousers with tan blazers creates a great smart-casual look. However, from what we’ve seen, it’s typically too bold and very high contrast for more business-casual settings.
Tan is just a light to the medium tone of brown. It is a masculine neutral that blends well with various hues. Pair them with whites, light baby blues, eggshell pinks and you’re good to go.
Blazers in tan, like those in beige or camel, have an undoubtedly slick and elegant appearance. Tan is a dark enough color to make the contrast between the black slacks and the blazer visible but still understated.
In essence if you want to look fashionable but professional at the same time, you should invest in a tan-colored blazer.
FAQs
What color of blazer goes with everything?
When it comes to finding a blazer that can be worn with any outfit, black is usually the safest bet. Black blazers are incredibly versatile and are an easy way to dress up any casual look.
For something a bit more adventurous, navy blue or gray blazers offer a slightly different spin on the classic black option. If you are looking for a bolder look, bright colors such as red or blue can add a pop of color to your wardrobe.
How do I choose the right blazer?
Choosing the right blazer for you is all about finding one that fits your shape and size. Make sure to try on several different styles and cuts so you can find the one that works best for your body type. Aim for a fit that is snug but not tight, as a blazer should hug your body without being restrictive. If you’re looking to make more of a statement, consider getting a patterned or textured blazer that will draw attention to your outfit.
Final Thoughts on What Color Blazer to Wear with Black Pants
Black pants are versatile and can be worn with a wide range of colored blazers, whether it is neutral colors or non-neutral colors, there’s so much room to experiment. Have fun playing around with outfits, invest in some timeless pieces and most importantly, wear whatever makes you feel good!
Samoel Ovanessian is the founder and creator of StylishAlpha.com – a website dedicated to men’s fashion. As a proud owner of more than 200 ties, he loves digging through new clothing combinations for everyday use, formal events and even just for fun. You can read more about Samoel here.