Haven't heard much about Khakis on YLF...why is that? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Shopping

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Haven't heard much about Khakis on YLF...why is that?

Cilleena

Veteran

Are Khakis a no-no like cords and hoodies? With all the Spring shopping going on, I'm suprised no one has mentioned good old Khakis pants. I think Khakis are casual, but a cute look for a MOTG with a cute top, cardi or jacket and sandals or cons. Am I missing something here? This is the kind of thing I'm thinking of...
http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/productImages.do
with a top like thishttp://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/productImages.do and a denim jacket and sandals.

I like denim and all, but the khakis seem a touch dressier and more "Springy".

Shopping

25 replies

Latest reply was from fathenry

Becky

Veteran

I used to wear khakis thinking they were dressier than demin, but Angie has stated they are actually more casual (much to my surprise). I think it does depend upon the denim, though; some faded washes wouldn't be dressier than khakis. I think Angie isn't a big fan of khakis/chinos in general, and I haven't seen a lot of them on YLF.

rae

(website)

Veteran

I seem to remember that Angie is not a fan of khakis?

Your link isn't working for me, but I think the "standard" khakis kind of fall into the same realm as the dreaded black dress pants: easy to go wrong because they are deceptively safe. I still think they look cute on ladies with a very preppy style -- or if there is some kind of modern twist. Kind of loving this look right now:

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Cilleena

Veteran

Ha! How did I know that they would be voted as more casual than jeans? Just like corduroy pants. This MUST be a regional thing. Honestly, ask anyone around here (east coast) what is more casual, cords, khakis or jeans... they will say jeans. It is actually at the point that most of our country clubs (golf and tennis clubs) will NOT allow jeans either in the dining room or on the course. You will find cords everywhere at church up here, but not much denim in church. My DH wears cords to work with a pull over sweater and dress oxfords every day. He could not get away with denim...too casual. Ok..sorry, had to get that out there. I'll keep my khakis to myself.

qfbrenda

Veteran

I'm glad you asked this question. Khakis are on my "too eventually" list and I will enjoy wearing them. I do have a preppy style though, so maybe that's why they should work fine for me.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I have khakis because I needed them to work the bar at a golf course. I found bootleg flat front low rise ones and wear them on *my* time once in a while now. Never would have a few years ago. I always associated them what the stereotypical housewife vacuuming on a TV commercial wears with her button front shirt on top. Safe, boring and conservative. I agree they are in the casual spectrum but think it does depend on who you ask as to whether they fall above or below jeans. I think that like most anything, they can be styled in a more hip way with some work.

ticksgirl

I think I remember a comment from Angie about khakis being beige, and beige bordering on verboten?

Cilleena

Veteran

This is probably one of those cases where the devil is in the details. I am NOT talking about wearing the dockers kind of khakis with pleated fronts. I am thinking of something like this from AT http://www.anntaylor.com/catal.....pe=Regular

Except I would probably prefer to buy something cheaper from Old Navy , like this
http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/.....=595183372

Not necessarily a beige color...I actually prefer the light tan/stone, grey and the black.

amyreh

(website)

Veteran

I would actually say you are referring to a "Chino" pant rather than directly a Kahki - which is really just a color, even though Old Navy doesn't make the distinction. I really like the Ann Taylor pants, and think choosing a pant in the olive green or something is a bit more modern than the typical Kahki color, as you suggest. I think a cotton twill pant can be a nice alternative to jeans with perhaps a blouse (other than button down) and a cute wedge, maybe even a denim jacket with the sleeves rolled up to finish the look?

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I hate to say it, but I think that traditional khaki's are a dated look.

MNsara

Veteran

Yup, I think the lack of khaki love is because of the years of darted (and double darted for even more slimming stovepipe styled khaki's. That and the 'soul sucking' color for most people.

I think when they are brought back in a fresh, current way and paired with fresh, flattering colors and pieces, then you might see more interest. (the devil in the details)

I actually think that the recent nude shoe trend could be extended to khaki/nude pants for its own version of a long leg line. . .

Kristine

Veteran

I used to think I looked good in my khakis until I took a picture of my other side!

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....the-khakis

I think the problem with most khakis is that cotton stretches out and looks baggy. I believe the phrase someone used was grampa butt! I'd wear khaki colored pants if they had some stretch or sheen and held their shape.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Looking around, I've actually seen a good amount of khaki... and it looks pretty darn good. I'm really attracted to the khakis paired with optic white or denim on top.

http://www.sunrainey.com/chloe.....kbook.html
http://www.dailyfrontrow.com/a.....how?page=1
http://www.logicalharmony.net/.....ollection/

Jonesy

Veteran

I think Angie dislikes the look :).

I agree with Rae: I sort of dig khakis if they are trendy-looking and paired with cool stuff (e.g., sort of loose, BF style, paired with high heels and a trim jacket). This way, you just embrace the grampa butt!

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I'm with Rae, I like the look of khakis and white, it's so light and airy.

For me, nude is a more soul-sucking color than khaki. Khaki makes me think of safari, it's got an earthier undertone than nude.

I used to wear khaki pants combined with a light denim shirt in the early 90s, it was a sort of uniform. I wore it so often I haven't felt the need to re-visit it!

MNsara

Veteran

Kristine's old link had this comment from Angie - a year ago:

"Combat wear is everywhere and beige is the neutral of the season. So, so 90’s. A pair of sleek beige cigarette pants or dress slacks in luscious fabrications – I’m all for it. Cotton khakis and cargo pocket pants, you’ll need to convince me. Just like I had the corduroy debate, I'll have the khaki debate, even if it means I stand alone! "

So, Ciileena, your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to seek out some fab new khaki replacement pants, and then let us know?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

These "Angie quotes" are hilarious.

I'd appreciate a little benefit of the doubt The first outfit that Rae posted is KILLER. How on earth could I not love that! It's more equestrian than preppy though.

Jonesy is on the right track!

Truth of the matter is, khakis will hardly *ever* be worn with that integrity by mainstream fashion followers - and this brings us back to the old fashioned dated preppy khaki look which really isn't fab.

HOWEVER! If you promise to wear khakis in a fashion forward way, you have my blessing. And you can start off with cargo skinnies.

Sara, I am consistent when I argue

qfbrenda

Veteran

What about a khaki skirt?

Lisa

Veteran

I'm with Khris, I think khaki's are generally dated looking, in an olive green color, that's heading in a nice direction. But if I were to look for a khaki type pant, I'd look for one with cargo styling.

Maya

Veteran

I love the outfit Rae posted...but who would wear them that way? Not most people.

I'd sooner wear a pair of dress pants than a pair of khakis, and you all know how much I hate dress pants.

Patty

Veteran

I thought khaki was a colour inspired by military/adventure wear from pale bieges to greens.
What is Khaki type?
Is it a specific kind of cloth? (I always figured it was sorta the same materials as jeans only not dyed blue)
Is it a cut??
I think men's pants style with center crease and can understand but I see many different styles from skinny to cargo --why is there such ill feelings about khaki?

Kyle

Veteran

Makes me envision scads of unfashionable men wearing Dockers and golf shirts they got for free at a trade show or at work. I never say never, but there are just too many other options.

Ginkgo

Veteran

But I thought cargo pants were a no-no -- is it okay if they're skinnies?

Anonymous

My sister used to have to wear khaki Docker cotton twill pants and a company polo. After seeing many ages and body types in khaki pants, we decided that nobody looks as good in them as they would in a good fitting jean or even the same pant in a better color. Watch out for pockets that gape open and get a good look from the rear before taking off the tags.

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Around here, the preference for light-coloured bottoms seems to be for cream, stone or white. And again, the style and fabric of the pant has to be right. These cream cotton twill pants of mine have won approval and are among my spring favourites.

http://eyeronic.files.wordpres.....hair-2.jpg

And for the one who asked if Angie would approve of a khakki skirt, my money's on yes, if the fit is right (which goes for most things)! She likes cord skirts, too.

fathenry

Veteran

Hmm, been wondering why my cute wide leg, cuffed Khaki pants languish in the closet year after year. If they are more casual than jeans, they why iron, right?