What to Wear With Dress Pants: 6 Outfit Ideas to Try
Blog post written by: Anouare Abdou
Long gone are the days when dress pants were reserved for professional or formal occasions. The dress pant has entered a new era: It is now competing with your jeans to become the most versatile staple in your wardrobe. And if you're wondering what to wear with dress pants, you've come to the right place.
Want to feel confident delivering a presentation? Build an outfit around sleek trousers. Heading to brunch on a Sunday? Pair wide-leg dress pants with sneakers and a T-shirt. In fact, you’d be hard-pressed to find an occasion where dress pants aren’t appropriate.
If anything, styling dress pants can be an intimidating process because they offer such a blank canvas for self expression. From sweatshirts and blazers to casual shoes and heels, you can combine them with various pieces to create completely different — but equally stylish — outfits. You can wear dress pants casually just as much as you can dress them up.
There are also different styles of dress pants (which are sometimes called “slacks” — and yes, they mean the same thing). Straight-leg, skinny, balloon, cargo… there are endless silhouettes to choose from when picking the right dress pants.
Various fabrics (such as cotton, moleskin or flannel) let you switch up your look and help you adapt to the weather. If you’re a conscious shopper, brands like Frank And Oak offer responsibly sourced materials that blend fashion and comfort.
In other words, styling dress pants can be a bit daunting at first, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be reaching for them when getting dressed more often than not. To help inspire you, here are foolproof dress pants outfit ideas for every occasion.
3 dress pant outfits for the office
Wearing pants to the office is a no-brainer. With the right style of trousers and complementary pieces, you can add flair to your outfit and avoid boring corporate looks. The following looks offer a modern and elevated take on office wear.
Dress pants and a blazer
Nothing says “I am here to win” more than a power suit. Combining dress pants with a blazer is a smart move for several reasons. First, it will make you feel more put-together. And when you feel good, it can have a positive impact on your performance and productivity.
Also, this is a combination with timeless appeal. If you invest in high-quality pieces, you’ll have a reliable outfit option for years – perfect for those mornings when you’re rushing out the door and don’t have time to figure out what to wear.
We'd also be remiss if we didn't mention the fact that dress pants with a blazer can be mixed and matched with a variety of tops, shoes and accessories for maximum versatility.
Dress pants and a collared shirt
If you want to look professional without ever feeling overdressed or stuffy, you can’t go wrong with slim dress pants and a dress shirt. This look is suitable for a wide range of work environments, from meetings to business conferences.
It’s a classic and straightforward combination, which makes it a safe bet. Plus, since it involves two wardrobe essentials, it can easily be combined with different layers and accessories when you want to have more fun with your look.
Dress pants and a short heel
Some days call for elegance and sophistication – even at the office. Whether you have dinner plans after work or are just in the mood to dress up, combining dress pants with a short heel provides just the right balance of style and practicality.
A tailored style like a balloon pant complements a kitten or block heel and can be paired with various tops, from blouses and button-downs to sweaters. This combination elongates your silhouette and adds a pep in your step without sacrificing comfort if you need to be on your feet all day. Plus, it can adapt to lunch with a client just as much as a happy hour event.
How to style dress pants casually
In the past few years, the dress pant has become a casual wear staple. One reason for this is that wearing trousers with more casual pieces brings effortless confidence to your style. But let’s face it: Trousers are often more comfortable than denim -- this is the real reason that more people are reaching for these timeless wardrobe staples.
We promise you, once you learn how to wear dress pants casually, you won’t look back.
Dress pants and T-shirt
Few pairings are as seamless as dress pants and a T-shirt. A laid-back tee balances out the formality of tailored trousers without looking out of place – plus, it’s always comfortable. This casual look is also a winning combination in terms of versatility. Grab a plain white T-shirt for a classic outfit that works well in a business casual setting. Try a boxy graphic tee or a crop top for a more playful outfit.
You can experiment with silhouettes, too. A body-hugging top can look sharp with fitted pants or balance out baggier trousers. A relaxed tee can look great tucked into the waistband of baggier pants just as much as it can complement slim trousers. The choice is yours!
Dress pants with sneakers
If you want to instantly take the cool factor of an outfit to the next level, try pairing ultra-wide dress pants with sneakers. It’s fashion-forward and contemporary, and it works in different settings, from a relaxed office environment to a weekend outfit.
It’s an easy formula that you can adapt to your personal style, whether you prefer a pair of vintage statement kicks or enjoy classic white tennis shoes. The best part? Your feet will never hurt.
Dress pants and tank top
A tank top can be the perfect complement to dress pants on a warmer day. It provides a stylish, casual contrast to the more polished look of trousers all while keeping you cool. And even though it’s a simple pairing, it doesn’t have to be boring.
Combine a fitted mock neck tank with modern balloon pants and sandals for an elevated take on casual wear. Or you can throw on a boxy cotton tank with slacks and sneakers to stay comfy yet put-together while running errands. Need an extra layer? Try adding a denim jacket to your outfit.
What to Wear with Dress Pants: The Bottom Line
The outfit ideas above are a great starting point, whether you want to wear dress pants casually or look more stylish while wearing work pants. Don't be afraid to mix and match different combinations until you feel comfortable and confident in your outfit. Dress pants are, after all, incredibly versatile.
