WHY GREEN PANTS?
Green pants are versatile for any time of year (not just Saint Patrick's Day). They provide many opportunities to stand out and express yourself, whether on a date, hanging out with friends, at church, or in the office. There are numerous ways to style a pair of green pants, and I believe every man should consider owning at least one pair in his closet.
Of course, interchangeability is crucial. While there are numerous shades of versatile green pants, this article will highlight the exact shades I recommend. I hope the information and outfits I'll showcase interest you, regardless of your tastes.
There is something here for everyone. By the end of this post, you will see how incorporating green into your outfits can be an inspired choice.
THE BEST TYPES OF GREEN PANTS
Not all green pants are created equal; some will prove more interchangeable than others. Regardless of the shade, chinos are the most versatile type of pants any man can own (especially in green).
I have written an entire guide to men's chinos, including the history of these pants and over thirty ways to style them all year round.
Chinos come in a wide range of colors and are typically made from cotton twill fabric, although many options now use synthetic fabrics like spandex to provide comfort and flexibility. If you're considering getting green pants, I highly recommend a pair of chinos because they can easily be dressed up and down.
WHAT ABOUT GREEN JEANS?
While green jeans come in various shades, denim fabric is often heavier and more textured due to its weave, which may limit your outfit choices. The clothing texture may seem insignificant, but it plays a crucial role in outfit selection.
Add green chinos instead of jeans to facilitate more outfit options in your closet. Due to the cotton twill fabric, they are inherently more formal and can be dressed up with a blazer and tie (see outfit #5 below).
While I wouldn't discourage anyone from owning green denim trousers, the small details matter and will be noticeable in the outfits you put together.
OLIVE GREEN PANTS
Perhaps the most versatile color of green pants and chinos a man can own is olive green. Once you cover yourself with the basics of owning a classic pair of khaki chinos, I recommend purchasing a pair in olive green. As you will soon see, they are stylish and interchangeable all year round.
PAIR WITH OTHER NEUTRAL COLORS
By far and away, the best types of colors to pair with green pants are other neutral colors.
Neutral colors are those found in nature and are often called "earth tones." Of course, there is a lot of green on God's earth, so it's only natural that tones of brown and shades of blue look excellent when paired with green, both in nature, art, and expressions of personal style.
Suppose you want to build a capsule wardrobe. In that case, the need for neutral-colored clothing increases exponentially, as these are the safest, most classic, timeless, and interchangeable colors a man can wear.
PROPER FIT & SIZING
As with everything in the realm of personal style, fit is critical. So long as you find a pair of green pants that fits and flatters your lower half, this is all that matters. If it means spending $30 on a solid pair of Amazon Essentials and then spending a little on the tailoring, then so be it.
It took me some time to find the perfect fit to build a solid classic chino pants collection. I wish it were as simple as knowing your waist size and inseam measurement, but God created us all to be unique. The good news is that many options are available today, so there is something for everyone. It's just a matter of understanding your body and its dimensions.
For instance, I usually wear a 32Wx32L in an athletic taper. Because of my larger thighs and glutes, some brands offer more room in the seat. You might prefer a pair of slim-fit chinos if you have slimmer legs. Similarly, if you have thicker legs and thighs, try straighter or relaxed fits, as they can typically flatter your frame more and provide greater comfort and mobility.
If you fall somewhere in between (like me), perhaps an athletic taper will better suit your needs. The best pair of green pants for you is out there. You just might need to do a little research and visit a few stores for try-ons to find a good and comfortable fit.
RECOMMENDED BRANDS
When it comes to chinos, here are my recommendations from most to least expensive:
Chinos can be found just about anywhere, but the quality will vary substantially (so buyer beware).
11 GREEN PANTS OUTFIT IDEAS
OUTFIT #1: BLACK HARRINGTON, POLO & GERMAN ARMY TRAINERS (GATS)
This first outfit is great for the spring season. I'm wearing ivy green chinos, a black Harrington jacket, a white Pique polo shirt, sporty German Army Trainers (GATs), and a versatile pair of aviator sunglasses. Harrington jackets are classic outerwear options with a neat history behind them.
The GAT sneakers are a brilliant addition because their subtle pattern and grey textured paneling complement their sleek design. A pair of white sneakers would look just as great with this particular outfit, but the GATs elevate this look to another level of "cool," in my opinion. Much like Harrington jackets, GATs also have a rich and unique history.
This outfit is great for dates, casual church gatherings, or strolls through your local mall and neighborhood.
OUTFIT #2: COACH'S JACKET, STRIPED KNIT OXFORD SHIRT & GATS
Sticking with the same ivy green pants and classy GATs as before, here is another spring outfit with an analogous color palette. Blue and green work so well together, especially for men with cool skin tones. Blue and green are analogous colors, meaning the two sit next to each other on the color wheel (see below):
This outfit is perfect for all the same activities as the last outfit. It is an excellent example of the power of color in men's style and fashion.
OUTFIT #3: TAN RAINCOAT, NAVY POLO & WHITE SNEAKERS
Of course, we have to have an outfit in case it rains. Here is another masterclass in neutral-colored pairings. This outfit features blue and green, but the inclusion of the tan raincoat showcases how easy it is to pair the two colors with other neutrals. Again, neutral colors are very interchangeable and work easily together.
The inclusion of the white sneakers is a "no-brainer" in that white serves as a blank slate that effortlessly combines with neutrals of all kinds. This look is best for the spring months but could quickly work for the fall by keeping the white sneakers or exchanging them for a neutral-colored pair of boots.
OUTFIT #4: CHAMBRAY BUTTON-DOWN SHIRT & GATS
Here are some decidedly lighter shades of green and blue, just in time for the summer. I'm wearing dusty olive green pants with a chambray denim button-down shirt and sporty GAT sneakers. Chambray is a much lighter and more breathable type of denim that adds lovely texture and visual intrigue to any spring or summer ensemble. This look is great for a casual summertime stroll or date.
OUTFIT #5: CLASSY BUSINESS CASUAL
This more formal outfit features dark olive-green dress chinos, a navy blazer, a powder blue oxford-cloth dress shirt, a light blue cotton pocket square, and a navy Grenadine tie.
Grenadine is traditionally a silk material with much more texture and thickness than conventional silk neckties. This texture is great for a business casual outfit like this one, which features other types of texturing (both in the jacket and the trousers), allowing for cohesion throughout the look.
The brown double-monk strap shoes are an intentional and casually elegant choice that will command respect in the workplace.
OUTFIT #6: SPORTY BUSINESS CASUAL
I love this classic and professional look featuring the same pieces as before, this time with a classic navy Harrington jacket instead of the navy blazer.
OUTFIT #7: RED QUARTER-ZIP, GINGHAM POLO & CHUKKAS
Here, I have paired darker olive-green chinos with a ruby red sweater because red and green are complementary colors and always look great when paired in similar tones/shades. The olive suede chukka boots also add texture and visual interest.
This sort of look is perfect for breezy Valentine's Day dates that require an extra layer or two.
OUTFIT #8: SPORTY FALL HARRINGTON
Here is another blue-green outfit encompassing multiple layers, including a gingham blue dress collar polo shirt as the base layer, a navy blue v-neck sweater as the mid-layer, and a classic navy Harrington jacket as the outermost layer. This can be an excellent option for keeping you warm and cozy in the late fall and early winter. Add your favorite neutral-colored boots, and you're in business!
OUTFIT #9: SPORTY FALL & WINTER LAYERED PUFFER
Not every fall or winter season requires boots. If you live in a place like coastal Southern California, you may argue that you don't need boots at any time of the year. Still, a classic and elegant pair of sneakers or trainers is essential, and you can never go wrong by pairing them with your trusty olive-green pants.
This look is nearly identical to the previous one. Instead of a Harrington jacket, I'm wearing a cozy puffer jacket in navy blue, and I exchanged the chukka boots for GAT sneakers. This outfit is great for dates or casual evenings out.
OUTFIT #10: DUSTY OLIVE DATE NIGHT
Another classic outfit featuring olive green pants, this time alongside my lovely bride. Pairing your outfits is a fun way to interact with your significant other. We decided to wear inverse colors, with my denim jacket matching her lower jean trousers and my olive-green pants complemented by her similarly colored green shirt. We even decided to match shoes, which is always a nice touch.
OUTFIT #11: TOPCOAT, DENIM JACKET, TURTLENECK & CHUKKAS
Again, relying on a neutral palette, this ensemble is another testament to the power of color. It is an analogous blue-green color scheme, with the camel topcoat being the clear statement piece. It is edgy, colorful, cozy, daring, and stylish.
WEAR GREEN PANTS LIKE A GENTLEMAN
Hopefully, now you have a better idea of how green pants can easily fit into your wardrobe all year long, especially when you prioritize building a neutral-colored wardrobe from which numerous outfits can be assembled. You will seldom go wrong with olive green or ivy pants, but I highly recommend investing in green chinos over jeans, as they will be more interchangeable and can be dressed up and down more effectively.
