Blush as a khaki alternative? - YouLookFab Forum

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Blush as a khaki alternative?

LaPed

Veteran

I've been off khaki/tan/taupe pants for a few years now -- largely out of boredom, and more recently out of a shift towards a more cohesive color palette. I've been wanting an alternative to khaki for light colored bottoms (going to pure white is not practical for me, as spring is muddy here and I have a dog and a preschooler to deal with) and it occurred to me that my answer might be blush. Right now I have two pairs of chinos and feel somewhat meh about the fit lately -- they're dark grey and light sage. I'm thinking I might add these in blush, since I've found Boden pant fit to be pretty stellar on me. (I am tempted by the other colors -- olive and french blue -- as well...)

I can already imagine styling them with a burgundy sweater, a burgundy/blue plaid top, a black/white breton, a charcoal turtleneck, my slate grey field jacket... it seems like my color palette might be in a good place to accommodate some blush. I never thought I'd see the day!

Anyone else bored with tan? What are your go-to colors for light spring/summer bottoms? Or do you stick with darker neutrals for pants?

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29 replies

Latest reply was from Nebraskim

MovingFashionForward

I'm with you on the blush as a light neutral. It is for me anyway, and thanks for the blush Boden trousers tip too. I've been looking for some straight-leg cropped blush trousers myself.

Sarah

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

Yup. If the pants are tan, I feel like the cut has to be pretty special or I feel like I am wearing janitor's pants. I am trying for some wide-legged, sleek-waisted ones, though, for this Summer. I've been seeing a lot of blush pants in the stores, and I like the look.

rachylou

Veteran

I don't wear khaki. Tried to, maybe once in high school, and it didn't stick. I don't know why not. I'll do tan, I guess... I think I have a pair of tan bootcut jeggings from Grocery Market, lol... but really, no. It's very odd.

Anyways, blush is great. I vote Yes

Also: What is with olive green being called khaki? Let us not confuse our army colours!

anchie

Veteran

Great idea, blush could be very versatile color, and more unexpected then tan which I am also sick of.
Last summer I bought on a whim light pink chinos that proved to be very successful purchase.

Chinohose Mit Gürtel Details

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JamC

Veteran

Last year I bought a pair of blush skinny jeans which seemed like another good light colored bottom. I wore them a few times. But then I started to feel they were too close to my skin color and felt self conscious, like I wasn't wearing pants. I donated them. Not sure if anyone else had that reaction to blush bottoms?

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

Haha, JamC--I've had that thought when I see others wearing skin-tone pants. I've never had the opportunity to gauge the effect on myself.

LaPed

Veteran

JamC I've definitely thought about that... I don't think I'd want skinny fit pants or leggings in blush (or tan for that matter) for the pseudo-nudity reason you mention. But with a looser fit and an obvious cuff at the hem, I think I might feel differently.

Eliza

Veteran

LP- sounds like a worthwhile idea to try. Khaki doesn't appeal to me or work with my coloring, yet lighter pants can be a fun way to change seasons. Blush goes with many colors and may be a practical base. It will show dirt, but maybe not as much as white.

You've got me thinking.

JamC

Veteran

I might try a looser fit. Might make blush pants work!

Sara L.

Veteran

I have blush crops that I wear a lot. I find the color is actually pretty versatile. Mine are sort of a dusty color that I don't think looks anything like my skin tone.

Murph11

Veteran

I'm with JamC... blush seems too nude. Light Chambray, maybe?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

LOVE THE IDEA OF BLUSH.

elpgal

Veteran

I bought a pair of pink chinos that are proving surprisingly versatile. I am wearing them with burgundy and navy while it is still winter-spring here.

Joy

Veteran

Big thumbs up for blush. I've never been very fond of pink so am surprised how much I like blush and it a a major spring neutral for me. I am careful not to buy pants the color of my skin. I also like light pearl grey as a khaki alternative.

SandyG

Veteran

I love blush as a neutral for spring in a femme chino. Going to a skinny pant or jean gives me pause, like I'm going to look undressed in public at first glance.

Now a carnation pink jean would be perfect, just not a light blush one.

Gigi

Veteran

I think that blush is definitely worth a try! I am not a fan of beige pants as a lighter neutral, because they make me feel like I'm a camp counselor or something. I wear white pants for a lighter neutral in the spring and summer and haven't had a problem with dirt so far.

Loving Sandy's idea of pink!

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I like blush in general and find it to be an excellent neutral, but I do find that some blush pants seem to have that "naked" effect. I was thinking of getting a pair of more overtly pink or red pants for spring..

Anonymous

I thought I commented yesterday.

This is a great idea. Blush is not only a great neutral, it is unexpected and not boring. Another color that I consider fresh and an alternative to khaki is stone. The problem with stone is that it is scarce in retail stores.

Style Fan

Veteran

I like the pants. I am not sure about blush as a colour. I do like the blue.

viva

Veteran

I actually just bought a pair of very clearly tan khakis from JCrew on deep sale. I like them a lot because they are really comfortable and sort of retro classic. Still, I get all the boring/janitorial/uniform associations. They are not pretty or fresh in the slightest. But I know I will enjoy wearing them with a striped tee and Stan Smiths in the spring.

I really love the Boden ones you posted. Personally, I am drawn to this true blush more than to a real pink. As long as they are not skin tight, they would not make me (as a white lady) feel nude. And the color pairings you describe are gorgeous. I'd also pair with bright red, something I'd doing a fair amount of now.

LaPed

Veteran

Thanks all!

You know, I do like chambray and pale grey pants too, for lighter neutrals, but those colors are well-represented in my tops.

I've had *bright* pink jeans in the past. The trouble with them, I found, is they're very seasonally specific -- I never wanted to wear them outside of spring. They were too warm to wear in summer.

Viva -- I think I tried those very same old school J Crew chinos last year, because they looked basically perfect, but on me the proportions were very off. Last year they came in a dark red/burgundy that was very tempting.

Rachylou -- I think, maybe, the first khaki (developed by the army methinks) actually did have an olive-y cast to it? I'll have to go dig up some history. Now I'm curious.

Style Fan -- I really like the mid-tone blue, too! I am waiting to try the Everlane wide legs in a very similar color, so if those fit, I'll be all set for french blue.

RobinF

Veteran

Very interesting idea. I wear so much black and gray in pants that I am always kind of looking out for lighter choices. I have some tan that aren't super exciting but they work but blush could add some interest.

Traci

Veteran

Yes, yes, yes to blush pants. I have added a pair of dusty rose skinny jeans and a pair of blush wide crops to my Spring wardrobe. Everything blush is catching my eye right now.

I'm also in love with this paint splatter idea on khakis. If I had an old pair of beloved khakis in my closet I'd be tempted to diy something like this, from jcrew.

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

Blush is gorgeous for spring.

My problem with khakis is not the tan (although that is a problem for me) but actually, the fabric. I never feel good in them, no matter what! I always, always, always feel too masculine or something. Which is weird, because I have BF shorts in khaki fabric (in grey and olive and navy camo print) that are just fine for me. Who can make sense of these things??

LaPed

Veteran

Traci -- I have a pair of authentically paint spattered khakis! They're my designated house-reno/furniture-rehab pants; they look nowhere near as cool as the ones you've posted.

Suz -- for a long time I basically lived in khakis and had very little denim. I have preppy DNA. I have more denim now, but rarely wear jeans May - September. Khakis and chinos still feel like homebase, and it's generally easier for me to get a good fit with khakis than with jeans. I think it's precisely the menswear vibe that makes it work for me.

Anonymous

When I use their first predictor, they recommend one size down from my regular US size. Does Boden run big?

LaPed

Veteran

Sterling -- I think it depends. I'm usually a 0 or a 2 (25/26) in US-brand pants, but with Boden I almost always take a US4/UK8. So I'd say they run small? I'd measure a pair of pants that fit well and compare to the garment measurements (there should be a little link that says "Size Guide" right near the list of available sizes). Their sizing is a little idiosyncratic, but once you figure out what size you are they're pretty darn consistent.

LaPed

Veteran

Coming back to add -- 100% linen pants with a true fly and no drawstring! I may have to try these too. Boden is apparently my pants mecca this year.

Coralie Linen Pants

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Nebraskim

Veteran

I love this idea. I was thinking today of sending all my khaki pants to the charity bins as I am just OVER them. I was never really a big fan but would occasionally wear them. But adding a blush would be nice. I did add olive to my repertoire last year and found it to be way more versatile than khaki.