Brown pants are the perfect catch-all fashion item. They're low maintenance. They don't ask for much and yet they give us effortless ensembles appropriate for casual, business casual and cocktail hour settings. This unchallenged relationship with brown pants is a double-edged sword. Sure, it's great to be able to throw on a pair and go. But, the ease makes us complacent.
There's no need to impress brown pants. There's no need to go all out and add cheeky prints to the equation. This arrangement is fine, for a while. Until one day you're over the monotony of black blouse-brown pants-black shoe outfits. You decide you want to do something special for your brown pants. It's time for a wardrobe renaissance. It's time to put together a cool outfit that'll welcome compliments from onlookers. But it's tough to know where to begin.
You're not alone, this is a common problem faced by fashion girls all over the world. What the hell do you wear with brown pants nowadays? We've answered your question in twenty-one chic street style outfits. Our "it girl" fashion inspiration includes outfit ideas ranging from casual days on-the-go to the avant-garde spectacle and ensembles fit for every season. Here are twenty-one ideas for what to wear with brown pants and shake things up.
Sophia Bush stepped out in a brown pants outfit that's both business casual and subtly sexy.
This casual brown pants outfit swaps flats for strappy sandals and adds a navy blue blazer perfect for making power moves. Get the look by teaming up brown pleated cropped pants, with a casual basic tee, strappy sandals, a navy blue blazer, and brown belt.
PHOTO: COURTESY GETTY
This edgy-fall brown pants ensemble is one of the best fall outfits looks from New York Fashion Week.
Get the look for less by combining a black vegan leather shirt, with a braided belt to cinch the waist, black wedge booties, and brown turtleneck.
PHOTO: COURTESY SHUTTERSTOCK
This moody spring/summer brown pants look effortlessly combines a comfy black casual tee with brown cropped culotte pants and strappy heels.
Get this affordable look by shopping Everlane’s black crew tee, cork strappy heels, brown pleated cropped pants from Mango and oversized round sunglasses.
PHOTO: COURTESY GETTY
If you’re wondering what to wear with brown pants, remember style icon Victoria Beckham gliding through New York streets in this outfit. Consider joining a free-flowing blue blouse and oversized wide-leg brown trousers for a comfortably chic aesthetic.
We found all the essential pieces to help you achieve this look by combining the pocket flowy shirt from Mango, pleat front brown pants, a brown leather work clutch from Cuyana and oversized tortoise sunglasses.
PHOTO: COURTESY GLAMOUR MAG
A transitional, summer to fall, brown pants look that takes a conservative approach of enveloping black pieces around brown trouser pants. The black backdrop forces the brown pleated trousers into the spotlight making them a statement piece.
Get this look by combining brown pleated trousers with a black casual bodysuit, black cardigan, and black peep-toe flat sandals.
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
When considering what to wear with brown pants here’s one simple solution. When in doubt pair your brown pants with every animal print piece of clothing you can find. This daring boho chic ensemble relies on brown cropped pants to play support for flourishing-fun zebra, snake and cheetah prints in various shades of brown.
Get this exotic fall look by teaming brown cropped wide-leg culottes with an animal print blouse, slingbag, snakeskin booties, and brown corduroy jacket.
PHOTO: COURTESY GETTY
Rihanna's throwback Fall brown pants look is eternal style inspo. The monochromatic outfit couples various camel shades for an elegant statement.
You can copy this look by combining camel wide-leg pants, with a cream sweater dress, strappy tan heels, and Louis Vuitton mini tote bag.
PHOTO: COURTESY GETTY
This "old money" brown pants outfit screams "I have a trust fund and heirloom jewelry in a bank's safe deposit box." This look is a lesson in what to wear with brown pants that also appears indisputably rich.
Get the look for less by combining brown front pleat trouser pants, with a western denim shirt, brown linen blouse, faux fur mink coat, and faux fur tote bag.
PHOTO: COURTESY GETTY
Olivia Wilde's chic Fall brown pants outfit merges instant style with maximum ease. Seriously, the suit set does all of the work for you. Your only job is to sit back and collect compliments. Still, the style tip to pay the closest attention is what's happening below her ankle. Yeah, the quickest way to spice up brown pants it's to punctuate them with a spicy pair of red heels.
Finding a brown corduroy suit set was no easy task, but we managed to find one that is incredibly affordable courtesy of Revolve. Get the affordable version of Olivia's look by teaming up the Heidi Cordi Suit Set from Revolve, with Frank and Oak's mid sleeve basic tee, Semi Circle bag at Cuyana and Steve Madden's red suede heels.
PHOTO: COURTESY SHUTTERSTOCK
This brown pants ensemble is perfect for casual hipster brunch or hours worth of window shopping.
Copy this look by combining a vintage-inspired black tee, brown poplin trousers, retro Chuck Taylors, and Madewell's Transport Bag.
PHOTO: COURTESY GETTY
Priyanka Chopra was spotted out in New York in a trendy fall-transitional brown pants look. This outfit is a classic case of "neutral fever."
Copy Priyanka's outfit by joining a knit tank top with brown pleated pants, mesh pumps and a Louis Vuitton mini bag.
PHOTO: COURTESY GETTY
This brown pants spring street style outfit capitalizes on free-flowing silhouettes for understated class.
You can nail this look with a sleeveless white blazer, brown cropped pants, tortoiseshell block heels, and a camel leather Coach tote bag.
PHOTO: COURTESY GETTY
Combining earth tones with brown pants is always so satisfying, and this fall-winter transitional outfit is a great example.
Add a forest green sweater with wide-leg corduroy pants, nude sunglasses, and a black crossbody bucket bag.
PHOTO: COURTESY GETTY
When you’re pondering what to wear with brown pants sometimes less is more. A classic casual brown pants ensemble with a utility twist can be an easy achievement with the right elements.
Get this look for cheap by teaming a white crew Everlane tee with brown cargo pants, Monaco leather booties, and a classic black belt.
PHOTO: COURTESY GETTY
Ever the fan of brown wide-leg trousers, Victoria Beckham provides yet another coveted brown pants ensemble. This time, she offers a powerful fall-winter transitional look that incorporates a camel wool peacoat.
Mimic this look for much cheaper by combining rust peg trousers, a camel cocoon coat, long sleeve striped shirt, and plum turtleneck.
PHOTO: COURTESY TRACEE ELLIS ROSS VIA INSTAGRAM
Like Olivia Wilde, Tracee Ellis Ross took advantage of the red suede pump and brown trouser combo to enliven an otherwise subdued look.
You, too, can get this look by teaming together brown wide trouser pants, red suede pumps, and a white striped long sleeve crew neck tee. Bonus points for including a jazzy glitter beanie.
PHOTO: COURTESY GETTY
Kendall Jenner was spotted out on the town in L.A. in the perfect Spring casual brown pants ensemble. This edgy look utilizes a trendy black leather moto jacket and plunging bodysuit with fresh white sneakers for comfort.
Sport this chic look by joining a black vegan leather moto biker jacket with a black plunge neck bodysuit, tan wide-leg trousers, and white sneakers.
PHOTO: COURTESY GETTY
This bright fall outfit employs mustard yellow to both blend and contrast with the brown wool trousers and a taupe leather jacket.
Mimic this chic mustard yellow and brown ensemble with the proper yellow turtleneck, classic brown trousers, yellow clutch, and white peep-toe booties.
PHOTO: COURTESY GETTY
Who would've thought that the perfect-dainty spring to summer transitional brown pants ensemble could incorporate so much pastel?
Break from the norm of blacks and browns and test drive lilacs, pinks, and metallics with your brown pants.
Pull off this look with a casual ruched air blouse, brown knit crop pants, sleek gold metallic slide heels, and a brown tote bag.
PHOTO: COURTESY GETTY
This show-stopping Avante Garde winter style is walking art. If you're going to go the typical black-brown ensemble you may as well go big or go home. Now, this outfit looks incredibly expensive, but it doesn't have to be.
Copy this incredible outfit without breaking the bank by teaming brown wide leg trousers with a sister long sleeve top from Cotton On, a featherless liner jacket from Need Supply and black platform leather booties.
PHOTO: COURTESY GETTY
If you're all out of ideas for what to wear with your brown pants, you can always go monochromatic. Head to toe shades of brown will never go out of style, so naturally, we included this look as a great example.
Achieve this super-chic monochromatic brown outfit by joining together a blouson sleeve knitted top, brown straight trousers, brown woven heels, and nude square sunglasses.
PHOTO: COURTESY GETTY
Emily Ratajkowski made waves this summer by wearing a billowing brown oversized pants suit, white crop top, and chunky white sneakers. that put her abs on display. Emily is no stranger to the oversized clothing trend, having opted for engulfing pants suits in the past. But, this time fast-fashion retail brands were right on time creating affordable look-a-likes.
Copying this look is made easy by Nasty Gal, pick up their wide leg brown trousers, and oversized brown suit jacket. Then, finish the look with a basic white crop top and chunky white sneakers from ASOS.