Khaki has been used by many armies around the world for uniforms and gear starting back circa 1848 when the English army introduced it as a military uniform. In British English and some other Commonwealth usage, khaki may also refer to a shade of green known as “olive drab” aka what we here in the States would literally term “military green.”
In Western fashion, it is part of the standard colorways for smart casual civilian dressing, most notably in the preppy aesthetic. For our purposes here British Khakis are pants in a deeper, earthier hue than the typical tan that can be worn casually and be semi-dressed up and is the perfect pant color for fall. Let’s run through all of the ways you can style this pant trend this autumn.
First up, casually. For both men and women, a darker Khaki goes well with other neutrals, like black, white, navy, and gray. Wear any t-shirt in one of those solid colors, your khakis and a matching shoe. I like a black more fitted tee tucked into a barrel style khaki like Everlane’s The Easy Barrel Pant in Oak Brown with black flats or loafers. Swap the top with a matching knit set of a shell and cardigan and the shoes with black sneakers. For men, sport a pair of straight-fit pants like The Original Chino form Bonobos in True Brown with a plaid button-down and suede oxford. A swap on this combo would be a tee and sweatshirt combination with boots. Also, consider British khaki pants a great swap for jeans.
For work in an office setting or semi-formal workplace that does not require suits and ties and such, men for decades have been wearing a polo and khaki on casual Fridays. To update that outfit concept, try Todd Snyder’s Straight Fit Favorite Chino in a shade they have literally named British Khaki with a fitted knit, long sleeve, polo style sweater and loafers. Your standard button-down layered under a pullover sweater also works for work as we get into the colder months.
For women, I know we’ve been focused on pants, however for semi-dressing nights out or events look to Banana Republic Factory’s Painters Twill Midi Dress in Vintage Olive for your British Khaki fall fix. Wear with a cardigan and pointy toe flats for chilly evenings or layer a turtleneck underneath and wear with boots. For men, a dressy-ish British Khaki look would consist of a straight-fit pant of chino like pants, a button-down, and an autumnal sports coat/blazer like Arthur Hendon’s Verona Corduroy Jacket in any shade they offer, but avoid beige as it’ll be too close to your pant color and not match nor create contrast.
If you’re already manifesting fall outfits, hopefully these British Khaki suggestion will provide inspirations. If you are truly interested in the history of Khakis or military gear in general, or in particular as it relates to outdoors recreation, I highly recommend the podcast Articles of Interest. The host, Avery Trufelmin created a 9-episode series on “Gear” that aired back in October of last year. I found it extremely riveting, as one does when one enjoys both history and fashion.
