Can you wear a dress shirt and tie with khakis?

Choosing what to wear for a wedding can be a challenge, especially with today’s more relaxed standards. It gets even trickier if a couple doesn’t provide a suggested dress code on their invitation. Should you bust out a suit and tie, rent a tux? Are there any themes to consider or colors to avoid? Can you wear khakis to a wedding?

Khakis or chinos are traditionally good go-to pants that blend casual and dressy wear. They’re also versatile; you can wear them in the office, to the bank, or to church. But can you wear khakis to a wedding? Read on to find out. 

Is It Okay to Wear Khakis to a Wedding? 

Chances are you’ve received an invite to a wedding and are currently wondering what items of your current wardrobe will be suitable for the event. You have a nice pair of khakis you’ve been waiting for an opportunity to wear, but you’re worried that maybe they aren’t dressy enough.

Luckily, khakis or a pair of chinos are a great option for casual weddings. They look nice paired with a long or short-sleeved collared shirt and go well with a range of casual and dressy shoes. 

Khakis are also nice for summer weddings thanks to their lighter, cotton twill makeup. Depending on the climate, the location, and the casualness of the bride and groom, you may even be able to get away with a nice pair of khaki dress shorts. 

When to Avoid Wearing Khakis to a Wedding? 

If the couple specifies black-tie attire on their invitation, you will definitely want to skip the khakis. Instead, you will need to wear a tuxedo, most likely in dark navy-blue or black, which can be bought or rented depending on your budget. Tuxedos consist of a fitted dinner jacket and matching pants and a black tie or black bow tie. 

Similarly, if the dress code is formal, you should avoid wearing khakis. While slightly less rigid than a black-tie event, formal dress codes are similar. In this circumstance, you wouldn’t need to wear a tux, but you would be expected to wear a formal suit of some kind with a conservative colored tie. 

Other Factors to Consider

There are other factors to consider when deciding if you want to wear khakis to a wedding. Believe it or not, what time of day the wedding is and the season it’s held in both play an important role in your outfit choices.

If the wedding is in the evening during the wintertime, you might want to stick with darker colors and heavier fabrics like wool. On the other hand, an afternoon wedding in the middle of June will call for lighter colors, subtle summery patterns, and lighter fabrics. 

Comfort should also be high on your list of considerations when it comes to your outfit. If the dress code allows for khakis and they make you feel comfortable and confident, you should go ahead and rock them. 

Final Thoughts 

Khakis are generally considered a good men’s wear item for weddings if the dress code is semi-formal or casual. They pair well with a collared shirt, sports jacket, and accessories like a tie or bowtie. 

However, you will want to carefully read the invitation and determine if a more formal dress code is requested. In that case, you should put the khakis back in the closet and wear them another time. 

Ultimately, the outfit you choose to wear to a wedding should be comfortable and satisfy the couple’s dress code vision. If you’re not sure if you can wear khakis to a wedding, use your best judgment or ask the couple themselves.

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Can you wear khakis and a shirt and tie?

Khakis are generally considered a good men's wear item for weddings if the dress code is semi-formal or casual. They pair well with a collared shirt, sports jacket, and accessories like a tie or bowtie.

Can I wear a dress shirt with khakis?

Khaki pants are best noted for the versatility that they hold. This is by being able to match any shirt available. A good thing about them is that they work with either formal or casual dress codes. Shirt colors that match perfectly with khaki pants are blue, shades of maroon, and red.

Can you wear khakis and a tie?

Though you asked about patterned ties, solid-color ties, too, go well with khakis of all types (pants and suits).

What color shirt and tie goes with khaki pants?

With a white shirt, you can never go wrong. As white and khaki are neutrals, both colors compliment each other, whether you opt for a dark or light shade of khaki pants. This color combo is the best choice for a fresh look, especially in summer. Dark neutral shirts look fantastic with khaki trousers.