While it’s long been considered a fashion faux-pas, we’re here to break the good news: you can definitely start wearing black and brown together. And under the right circumstances, it’s a fashion-forward option for any outfit.
In fact, this often-debated choice is both stylish and practical. Even better, these outfits use neutral staples you likely have in your closet already, making it easy to mix and match this color coordination.
In our comprehensive guide, we’ll break down how to mix black shoes and brown trousers or pants, including outfit ideas, and appropriate attire for different occasions.
Can You Wear Black Boots with Brown Pants? An Introduction
If you’re familiar with basic color psychology, you know that black and brown are neutral tones. First off, this means that they’re easy to match with most outfits, which is why they’re such a common shoe color. Additionally, neutrals pair well together because they share this understated color palette.
Brown is a warm, grounded earth tone, while black exudes elegance and sophistication. Together, they give an outfit the best of both worlds. They are an especially stylish choice for the fall season to reflect the chilly weather and changing leaves.
There are lots of different shades of brown based on the vibe of your outfit, such as:
- Cedar
- Walnut
- Chocolate
- Chestnut
- Copper
- Sand
- Tan
- Camel
- Taupe
Darker browns tend to be on the more formal side, while lighter browns and beige are casual everyday shades.
Types of Black Boots to Wear with Brown Pants
So, you’re ready to debunk the myth that black and brown are a no-go combo. Where do you start? Black boots with brown pants are a must-try this fall. Not only is this a chic look, but it utilizes staples already in your closet.
Let’s go through some different types of black women’s boots for any occasion.
Ankle Boots
A timeless classic, black ankle boots are easily styled with brown trousers or pants. From a meeting at the office to dinner with friends, women’s ankle boots are versatile footwear for any wardrobe. Try the slip-on Redding Ankle Boot or the zip-up Uptown Sur Ankle Boot, both comfortable, weatherproof, and crafted with high-quality black leather.
Booties
The younger sister of the ankle boot, booties are a shorter shoe that stop right above the foot. Our sleek Belmont Ankle Bootie is designed with an iconic western style and modern lug sole. Or discover the Aria Wedge Ankle Bootie, crafted with durable black leather and a lightweight, walkable sole.
Heeled Ankle Boots
Add a bit more pep in your step with heeled or wedge ankle boots. Not only do women’s heeled boots elevate an outfit (literally), but they look classy when styled with a brown pant. We love the Folsom Ankle Moto Boot, featuring a water-resistant exterior, buckle detailing, and thick lug sole. These are the perfect boots for winter as they repel water and have added traction. For everyday chic outfits, we recommend the Barstow Heeled Ankle Boot and Truckee Heeled Ankle Boot, both with a dressier vibe. For a twist on the classic style, try the black suede Bishop Western Ankle Boot made with a modern lug sole.
Combat Boots
Both durable and effortlessly cool, combat boots help pull together a casual outfit. Make a statement with a platform combat boot, or throw on a blazer for a day-to-night look. Plus, the lace-up style of combat boots makes it easy to adjust their width for tights and thick socks alike.
Chelsea Boots
Dress up a casual outfit or dress down formalwear with Chelsea boots. This highly versatile type of ankle boot features elastic side panels for easy pull-on access. Find all-day comfort with a pair of black Chelsea boots and light brown pants or skinny jeans.
Desert Boots
A type of chukka boot, desert boots are ankle-height, laced, and typically made from suede. While their name may be misleading, desert boots are not available only in sandy colors—you can find them in darker shades as well. Black desert boots make a stylish addition to any closet, pairing perfectly with dark brown dress pants.
Tall Boots
Often called riding boots, women’s tall boots don’t reach all the way to the knee, but are still much higher than ankle boots. For your new favorite fall shoe, slip on the black leather Ashland Tall Wedge Boot, which is available in wide calf options, as the air gets cooler. The full-length side zipper and microfiber stretch back provide added comfort, while the rugged burnishing on the toe and heel add unique contrast.
Knee High Boots
Last but not least, pair brown pants with knee high black boots. Stride with confidence in the Fallbrook Knee High Boot, designed with two-tone leather and suede, or the sleek Trabuco Knee High Boot, featuring a statement heel and buckle. Or switch it up with the Western-style Bixby Slouchy Knee High Boot, featuring a pointed toe, soft suede upper, and slouch fit. All these styles also come in wide calf boots, designed to accommodate more muscular calves comfortably.
Best Pants Styles to Pair with Black Boots
The next step is choosing the perfect pair of brown pants to go with your black boots. The style, shade, and cut will depend not only on personal preference, but also on the type of occasion you’re dressing for. Here are some popular types of brown pants.
- Chinos – A similar but more upscale version of khakis, chinos can seamlessly be dressed up with a nice top or sweater. Complete the look with black Chelsea, combat, or ankle boots.
- Wide-leg – Also called palazzo pants, these slacks were popularized in the 1960s. Palazzo pants feature a loose, wide leg that finishes with a flare at the bottom. Since they have an oversize fit, wear your wide-leg pants with heeled or wedge black boots.
- Corduroy – Technically a fabric rather than a style, corduroy pants tend to be on the warmer side, which is perfect for fall. Style these straight-leg pants with combat, Chelsea, or knee-high boots.
- Dress pants – When heading to the office or a formal event, dress pants are a must. Add a touch of sophistication with ankle boots or booties.
Once you know the style you prefer, you’ll also have to select a color of brown pants.
Choosing the Right Shade of Brown
As we’ve mentioned, there are many different browns to choose from. Dark brown hues are more formal, and match well with sleek heels or Chelsea boots. On the other hand, light browns are more casual and can be paired with combats or riding boots for everyday wear.
Don’t forget about plaid, a creative way to incorporate brown shades. Plaid pants are a fall staple, and can easily be dressed up or down with a pair of black boots.
Occasions to Sport The Black-and-Brown Combo
There are plenty of formal and informal occasions to enjoy wearing black boots with brown pants or even brown boots with black pants, for that matter. With the right level of professionalism, it’s a smart style for the office and can add some diversity to your work wardrobe. That said, black and brown are also a trendy combination for evening and weekend plans.
Here are some potential occasions to try out your new black and brown look.
- Brunch
- Happy hour
- Museum visits
- Local theater shows
- Apple picking
- Fall weekend getaways (leaf peeping, anyone?)
As you can see, black boots and brown pants are a truly versatile combination.
Accessorizing Black Boots and Brown Pants
Tie together any outfit with the right accessories. If you’re new to wearing black boots and brown pants, accessories are a creative way to elevate an outfit and add dynamic layers.
- Bags – Choose a neutral handbag to complement the earth tones in your outfit. This doesn’t mean it has to be plain; try a black, brown, or beige pattern. A purse, clutch, crossbody, tote, bucket bag—there are options to fit all your everyday necessities.
- Belts – Both functional and fashionable, a belt adds a pop of color to your pants. If you’re wearing tan pants choose a darker belt, and vice versa. Earth tones like deep maroon, forest green, or navy blue also match well with brown.
- Socks – Chelsea or combat boots leave room for socks to peek over the edge, which can be an opportunity to accessorize your outfit. A bright shade adds a fun and unexpected pop, while white, brown, or black stick to the same color palette.
- Jewelry – Silver and gold respectively complement black and brown. When combining these colors, both are chic choices.
- Watch – Stay on time with a brown or black leather watch that ties together the hues in the rest of your outfit.
Who ever said you can’t wear brown pants with black shoes?
Find Your Next Pair of Black Boots at Vionic
When styling brown pants, look no further than the comfortable and durable black boots from Vionic.
Our exclusive footbeds are available in both medium and wide widths. We offer a wide range of styles featuring our signature cushioning, arch support, stability, and flexibility. Thanks to Vio Motion technology, our footwear provides all-day comfort, minimizes shock impact, optimizes foot mobility, and reduces arch pressure. Browse women’s weatherproof boots, flats and loafers, casual sneakers, and more. Shop today and enjoy free shipping on orders over $75.
Sources:
London Image Institute. Brown, Black, and White Color Psychology. https://londonimageinstitute.com/brown-black-and-white-color-psychology/.
Orvis News. Chino vs Khaki, Do You Know the Difference? https://news.orvis.com/products-we-love/chino-vs-khaki-do-you-know-the-difference.
The Fashion Plate Magazine. Fashion History: The Palazzo Pant. https://thefashionplatemag.com/2016/06/02/fashion-history-the-palazzo-pant/comment-page-1/.
Sir Gordon Bennet. The History of the Desert Boot. https://www.sirgordonbennett.com/gordons-bugle/the-history-of-the-desert-boot/.