https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-black-trousers Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 18 Apr 2026 16:34:41 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-black-trousers/page/2#post-2371957 Fri, 11 Oct 2024 02:29:29 +0000 Bijou 2371957@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>When I worked in an office a couple of black suits were always in my wardrobe. However, since 2020 having moved to working from home I rarely wear black pants. Not an essential in my wardrobe now. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-black-trousers#post-2371818 Thu, 10 Oct 2024 00:04:29 +0000 Echo 2371818@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Black pants are essential to my style, but only for casual wear, so I have black cargos, black joggers, black faux leather, etc. I generally lean toward dresses and skirts, but when I wear pants, I go full-on casual with boots or chunky sneakers. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-black-trousers#post-2371774 Wed, 09 Oct 2024 03:59:05 +0000 ophelia 2371774@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Funny: I was watching a press conference with city officials, &amp; 4 women were present. One wore a black skirt, &amp; the other 3 had on black pants. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-black-trousers#post-2371726 Tue, 08 Oct 2024 18:55:37 +0000 Janet 2371726@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Honestly, I would kind of love a good pair of charcoal pants, but they seem to be harder to find than black…so I continue to default to black pants! It works for me since black is still my preferred neutral, with charcoal and grey, and white close behind. But I don’t care for white pants on me in general, so black becomes the most practical default. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-black-trousers#post-2371692 Tue, 08 Oct 2024 14:29:17 +0000 The Cat 2371692@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I own one pair of black trousers, which I wear in fall and winter only. However, I just noticed that they look a little "worn", so I will likely replace them by another neutral pair of trousers. They don't need to be black, as grey or navy would also be fine, or possibly a cool brown. I find neutral trousers very versatile for most occasions. I have an off-white pair in a fabric that can be worn year round, but would like a darker neutral too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-black-trousers#post-2371688 Tue, 08 Oct 2024 13:45:36 +0000 ChristelJ 2371688@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>In my 20 years of working in an office, I wore black pants constantly. So did others, if I recall. I came to associate black pants with work, and couldn't wait to jettison them all. Now that I'm retired I've moved onto blue denim most days and haven't owned any black bottoms for years until recently, when I bought a stretchy wide leg pair to match a specific print top. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-black-trousers#post-2371684 Tue, 08 Oct 2024 12:26:49 +0000 AndiB 2371684@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have so. many. black. pants!&nbsp; But as said by others, not as many trousers.&nbsp; I adore trousers, and have been delighted by the return of the wide leg, pleat front, high rise versions.&nbsp; Have been on hunt for the perfect pair for a couple years now, and finally - finally! - found a good pair at Marshall's of all places.&nbsp; I do work in a professional office, but of course casualization has occurred in the years since covid, but I do still love to wear dressy work clothes.&nbsp; More though my black pants are Ponte, and in fact I just yesterday received a (risky!) final sale Spanxx charcoal dress pant, wide leg but fitted through hips and waist, and they are absolute perfection.&nbsp; I have never purchased Spanxx before and will get more of these.&nbsp; But I have black pants in every iteration for all seasons, from satin joggers, to the Athleta "perfect pant", to crepe straight-ankle, to the new-er wide leg ankle denim.&nbsp; My workout leggings:&nbsp; All Black.&nbsp; so. many. black. bottoms.&nbsp; I don't see that changing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-black-trousers#post-2371655 Tue, 08 Oct 2024 00:21:21 +0000 Jaime 2371655@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting varied reactions! I have several key black trousers. There is one very good reason for this: I am not going to say no to a pair of vintage designer pieces that I stumble upon because they are black . But I do wear black - some of my hair and my eyebrows are still close to black so it works with my coloring, especially as bottoms. Even though my life is very casual optional. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-black-trousers#post-2371651 Mon, 07 Oct 2024 23:35:02 +0000 nuancedream 2371651@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Although I do have black trousers, they are not essential wardobe pieces. Both pairs are wide leg. One pair is in a wool garbardine from Classiques Entier, while the other pair is by Anne Fontaine in 100% linen. I typically wear them for dressier occasions. I also have some silky black cargo joggers that are rarely worn. They may not make the cut during the February closet edit. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-black-trousers#post-2371650 Mon, 07 Oct 2024 23:30:18 +0000 slim cat 2371650@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I switched to black and charcoal jeans - it works better for my current job and slightly easier to launder .<br />Black trousers used to be essential for me but dress code became more relaxed recently and changed my shopping targets ( plus I had trouble finding the mid/low rise styles for straight bodies ). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-black-trousers#post-2371638 Mon, 07 Oct 2024 20:55:13 +0000 Sal 2371638@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't think they are an essential for everyone, but I would struggle without them.</p> <p>For work I have two pairs - one wide leg, one more of a cigarette style.<br />For casual I have three pairs - one Brooklyn Athleta, one Lululemon and one a pair of relaxed zipper leggings ( great for long haul flights or cosy weekend days at home)</p> <p>In terms of replacing them, I do have navy which works well sometimes, as does olive or chocolate.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>But black is a bit easier for me in terms of matching with tops and the practicalities of travel and work. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-black-trousers#post-2371637 Mon, 07 Oct 2024 20:43:10 +0000 Carla 2371637@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Black trousers are an essential for me, &nbsp;but I have only two pair! A wide leg linen pair for warm weather, and a faux leather pair for &nbsp;cold weather. I like that there’s a little ‘something’ going on with both, &nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-black-trousers#post-2371634 Mon, 07 Oct 2024 19:28:31 +0000 Lisa 2371634@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I own black pants, shorts, jeans, and joggers, but they are not my most worn items. In fact, the lack of reaching for them often is one reason why I fairly recently decided to shift my wardrobe away from black moving forward.</p> <p>As for traditional, dry clean only trousers, I haven't worn or seen those in professional settings in quite some time. The most common colors I see in business are navy, grey, and brown/tan. I think the formal vibe of black has shifted it's use over time. But I'm sure at some point it will come back, because fashion is never stagnant. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-black-trousers#post-2371633 Mon, 07 Oct 2024 19:04:51 +0000 Irina 2371633@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Black pants are absolutely an essential for my wardrobe. I have them in different fabrics for different seasons. I like tension in my outfits or juxtaposition, so in the summer I wear lightweight cotton black pants with t-shirts to keep it less casual. In the colder months I wear wool pants and sweaters. I like how versatile black pants are, can be dressed up or down.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-black-trousers#post-2371631 Mon, 07 Oct 2024 18:31:42 +0000 Angie 2371631@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Carol</b>, I don't consider black pants a wardrobe staple unless they work for your style and style persona. A list of wardrobe staples is PERSONAL, and varies greatly between people. Full stop :)&nbsp;</p> <p>I think white/cream jeans and pants are my "black pants" for example.&nbsp;</p> <p>As recently as ten years ago, I wore black. I had an item black skirt and pair of pants I seldom wore! Not my thing.&nbsp;</p> <p>I now have navy bottoms instead of black. Like <b>Suz,</b> black is not for me. I don't even want to wear black in a pattern! I wear dark bottoms that aren't jeans from time to time. Not a lot though. I prefer wearing other types of bottoms! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-black-trousers#post-2371625 Mon, 07 Oct 2024 17:38:37 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 2371625@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting question, and I'm enjoying the answers here. First off, I will say the idea of wardrobe staples has steered me wrong more often than not. I have bought and hung on to things that were considered staples, despite not wearing them. Certain versatile styles of pumps, white shirts, and blazers come to mind. I finally realized that my wardrobe staples might not align with the broad recommendations of fashion writers. That said, I do find black trousers useful, just probably not the kind you are describing. I don't wear them regularly in daily life, but as others have said, I do like them for travel and occasions. So I have black pants that are a little on the dressier side than my typical daily jeans-based style, in travel-friendly knits and a variety of lengths and leg widths. Included are two pairs of harem pants, which seem to be the only pairs of my black pants that I have in Finds--LOL! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-black-trousers#post-2371622 Mon, 07 Oct 2024 16:46:18 +0000 Peri 2371622@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Absolutely essential for me, they are basically all I wear. I don't even own a pair of jeans, and haven't for 20+ years.&nbsp;</p> <p>But ditto what Janet said on this...my black trousers are Athleta pull ons. Very sleek, no bulk, no zipper but also no elastic waist, very much like the first pair she showed. Casual but still polished. All interest is for tops, nothing but black and one dark navy semi-trousers for bottoms. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-black-trousers#post-2371611 Mon, 07 Oct 2024 14:58:56 +0000 Suz 2371611@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't wear black, so black trousers are not essential to me, but I do own charcoal trousers and three styles of navy trousers -- wide leg, straight leg, and a loose cigarette leg ankle length&nbsp; (navy being my dark neutral) and I wear them <b>constantly</b> from October to late April. </p> <p>Note: I work primarily from home, am in an office (teaching) on an average of once a week and travel relatively often. I wear these pants on work-at-home days as well as teaching days and travel days. They are comfortable, pack more easily than jeans, and can be dressed up or down very easily with the addition of silk blouse or denim jacket, booties or sneakers (for example).&nbsp;</p> <p>The charcoal pants sound like Janet's Athletas because they are, in fact, pull on, but they don't look it because of a flat waistband and faux zip placket.&nbsp;</p> <p>I think a lot probably depends on weather and the quality of light and the environmental norms. Where I live, black is ubiquitous in winter so you do see black trousers, even though the city is very casual and outdoor-oriented.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-black-trousers#post-2371608 Mon, 07 Oct 2024 14:35:02 +0000 Roberta 2371608@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>When I was working, I rarely wore black. My dark colors were charcoal, navy, olive, etc. Black work pants seemed a little boring to me, what a young woman right out of college would wear for her first job. Which was really snobby of me, but here we are. I did have a pair of dressy black linen trousers that were very useful in warm weather. My black pants now are either jeans, or workout pants. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-black-trousers#post-2371606 Mon, 07 Oct 2024 14:13:57 +0000 unfrumped 2371606@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have pondered this same question over the past few years since retire, and have concluded that several forms of “ black pants” are still essentials for me. </p> <p>I think of 2 different directions-/ one is “ black bottoms” of more casual nature, such as joggers, to slightly more elevated Athleta Brooklyn. These are travel capsule essentials and, recently learned, “ staying overnight with hospitalized family member” essential. As well as, grab &amp; go on errands. </p> <p>Others are less everyday but still for more relaxed lifestyle- black linen trousers- I like the summer weight but more crease- hiding. Thd more polished styles whether wide or slim can also go to , alas, summer funerals, which occurred twice this year. </p> <p>For dressy occasions, I am gravitating toward a capsule of midi skirts or classic black pants, such as tuxedo or slim. Black pants for a dressier evening are most likely to be something I can either keep for awhile or refresh more easily if my size/ shape changes. Similarly, black footwear ( or something that goes with black) is more readily available in styles my fussy feet could manage. Then dressy tops and/or jackets can be in more face- flattering colors, including tonal colors.</p> <p>I’m still interested some types of ponte knits because they can combine comfortable fit with more polished look, and may be washable, which is also more practical these days. I have a couple of pairs in different styles still from “ career days” and would update if I saw something really good. </p> <p>My days of collecting multiple types of dress wool pants are over, but bought some burgundy wool flannels last year for winter fun. But I would be on the lookout for a tropical wool or good flannel black ( or gray, charcoal) in a casual jogger style which I would wear enough in fall/ winter to justify the cost &amp; upkeep. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-black-trousers#post-2371603 Mon, 07 Oct 2024 13:41:45 +0000 cat2 2371603@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like the structure of classic trousers and have kept all of mine in rotation, particularly including the black. And added pairs in more casual fabrics like ponte and silk blends. I also have structured cargo pants and structured jeans. I wear stretchy pants or joggers to hike or go to the gym but don’t voluntarily wear them elsewhere. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-black-trousers#post-2371599 Mon, 07 Oct 2024 13:01:47 +0000 cjh 2371599@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’m retired and spend time with mostly the same age group. My social and business encounters are casual. The only times I’ve seen many black slacks on women or men in the last few years are at church, funerals or weddings. I own a couple pair held over from working days, but rarely worn. I could live without them if I had a navy or other dark pair, for funerals! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-black-trousers#post-2371598 Mon, 07 Oct 2024 13:00:32 +0000 JAileen 2371598@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>When I play in my handbell group, I usually wear black pants. &nbsp;We have a color scheme of red, white and black. &nbsp;The pants I wear are hiking pants. &nbsp;Since they don’t have extra zippers, pockets, etc., they look like regular pants. &nbsp;I rarely wear these pants otherwise. &nbsp;I do have other black items in my wardrobe, but it is one of my least favorite colors to wear.&nbsp;<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-black-trousers#post-2371596 Mon, 07 Oct 2024 12:49:48 +0000 ophelia 2371596@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>They’re worn constantly for professional jobs in my area. If I didn’t have to work, or have to work in those settings, I personally wouldn’t care for them as they are almost always sticky synthetic blends. But I have to work, &amp; it’s “business casual.” </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-black-trousers#post-2371595 Mon, 07 Oct 2024 12:48:41 +0000 RobinF 2371595@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>These days I have more casual black pants, cropped jeans, cargos and knit pants. But recently I was wishing I had some for the funeral of an aunt and realized it is a bit of a hole for me now. Added to my list.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-black-trousers#post-2371591 Mon, 07 Oct 2024 12:19:11 +0000 Janet 2371591@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Black trousers or pants of some sort are essential to me, and have always been. The type of pant has evolved over time though. When I was working in office environments, I wore tailored black wide leg or bootcut trousers (usually “dry clean only”). These days I wear a more relaxed version of those silhouettes. I just bought some black pants in what I think of as “polished athleisure” styles from Vuori and Athleta. The Vuori have a zip and button closure and can easily dress up if needed. The Athleta are a more relaxed pull-on style, but with a flat elastic waist and no drawstring so even they have a fairly polished appearance. I just wore them for a trip — they’re great airplane pants that also look decent to go out for dinner at a casual place. </p> <p>I also have black cargo joggers in two different fabrications — both polished enough to dress up with a blazer and heels but also down with sneakers and a graphic tee. I also have a pair of the Maria Cornejo balloon-ish pants (pictured below in denim) that I loved in denim so much I invested in the black technical fabric version. </p> <p>I also have a beautiful classic pair of black trousers that are dry clean only, but they are reserved for occasion wear. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-black-trousers#post-2371590 Mon, 07 Oct 2024 12:17:19 +0000 Sisi 2371590@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have had many black trousers in the past (I work at an office) then at certain point in my life I got fed up with black and replaced it with navy and blue.&nbsp; Since then I have always had one pair of navy trousers in my wardrobe - I do not consider them absolutely necessary but they are a convenient fast fall back solution when you want to feel a bit dressier than usual.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-black-trousers#post-2371589 Mon, 07 Oct 2024 12:12:43 +0000 Star (Lise) 2371589@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't have any black trousers in my wardrobe.&nbsp; Absolutely no need.&nbsp; I could go for black cargo's or a summery, linen pair but I don't think that is what you mean.&nbsp; I have no need for the dressier type currently. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-black-trousers#post-2371588 Mon, 07 Oct 2024 12:11:12 +0000 Dee 2371588@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I no longer have any black trousers in my wardrobe, they were just never worn much but I do have black jeans in various styles and a pair of black ponte flair pull-on pants that help me to feel more dressed up if the occasion calls for it. However, I do see some women sporting black trousers in more causal ways, like pairing them with denim jackets or white sneakers. See photo below. I think this helps to make them more wearable for everyday use. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-black-trousers#post-2371587 Mon, 07 Oct 2024 11:53:39 +0000 SarahD8 2371587@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well, as a journalist (albeit one who rarely attends press conferences) I definitely don't find black trousers essential to my style.</p> <p>I have one pair of dressier black pants that might fit the type of thing you are talking about. They are Eileen Fisher stretch crepe pants, in an ankle-length narrow/tapered cut -- I would describe them as cigarette pants, although they are pull-on. And I did buy them as a fast fallback options for occasional work events that require a dressier look. But as a matter of fact, lately I've found them quite difficult to style. I keep putting them on and feeling too ladylike. They are very Audrey Hepburn, but I guess that's just not me -- I do think there's a gamine element to my style, but not quite that type of gamine. Worth a ponder how to make them work for me... </p>