6 Street Style-Approved Ways to Style the Always-Chic Black Pant

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Photos: Phil Oh

Black trousers are one of fashion’s great constants: a timeless wardrobe staple you’ll buy once and keep for years (unless, like us, you’re in the mood to collect a few). But the classic pedigree of a black trouser doesn’t mean your styling has to skew predictable.

Black trousers are a true wardrobe chameleon, equally at home with bold red outerwear, bohemian layers, or even a bit of leopard print. Just look at the streets outside the shows in Paris and Milan last season, where showgoers reinvented the staple with ease. If you’re in need of a little inspiration, or simply a styling refresher, consider this your guide to making black trousers feel anything but basic.

Vogue s Favorite Black Pants

The Under-$300 Pick
The Frankie Shop Ripley pleated pants
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The Pleated Pick
TWP Sulli pants
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The Winter Wool
Theory pleat wide-leg pants
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6 Street StyleApproved Ways to Style Black Pants

The Classic Formula

Let’s start with the basics: You can never go wrong with black trousers, a blazer and a crisp white tuxedo shirt. Take a cue from this showgoer and wear yours a little oversized for easy attitude.

TWP

Sweet Pea blazer

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Madewell

cutaway tuxedo shirt

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TWP

Sulli pants

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Helzberg

pearl stud earrings

6 Street StyleApproved Ways to Style Black Pants

With a Leather Topper

A black on black look is another timeless combo that never fails. Here, a leather wrap jacket and wide-leg trousers balance polish and texture, with kitten heels elevating the look both literally and figuratively.

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Nour Hammour

Zakary leather jacket

Frame

The City pants

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Khaite

Cecilia pumps

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Gap

modern crewneck T-shirt

6 Street StyleApproved Ways to Style Black Pants
Photographed by Phil Oh

With a Bohemian Twist

Now for the fun stuff—ornate textures, like velvet and lace, and artful jewelry play off of the simplicity of tailored black trousers.

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Liberowe

cotton-velvet jacket

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The Frankie Shop

Elvina slip dress

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Fforme

Yvette barrel-leg pants

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Chan Luu

Cowrie necklace

6 Street StyleApproved Ways to Style Black Pants
Photographed by Phil Oh

With a Pop of Red

A pop of red, the fashion girl’s perennial favorite, can brighten up any outfit, including a simple black trouser and button-down.

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Cos

oversized double-breasted coat

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Proenza Schouler

Addy button-up shirt

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Lié Studio

The Georgia slim belt

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Theory

pleat wide-leg pants

6 Street StyleApproved Ways to Style Black Pants
Photographed by Phil Oh

With a Hint of Leopard Print

For scene-stealing outerwear, like this leopard topper, a black trouser and block heels make for the perfect backdrop.

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Toteme

Stracciatella shearling coat

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Banana Republic

high-rise slim ankle pants

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The Row

Penelope pumps

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Celine

Bold 3 Dots sunglasses

6 Street StyleApproved Ways to Style Black Pants
Photographed by Phil Oh

With Preppy Layers

Though black doesn’t carry a preppy connotation, it pairs well with school yard staples like button-downs, double-breasted blazers, and an army green trench coat.

Burberry

long Castleford trench coat

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Banana Republic

The Oversized shirt

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The Frankie Shop

Ripley pleated pants

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Malone Souliers

Barry loafers

Shop more black pants:

The Row

Virgil wide-leg pants

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Calvin Klein Collection

Simone wide-leg pants

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Khaite

Dugan pants

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Zara

high-waisted straight-leg pants

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Maria McManus

pleated straight-leg pants

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Saint Laurent

wool pants

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J.Crew

Essential wide-leg pants

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Matteau

jersey straight-leg pants

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Proenza Schouler

Zee straight-leg pants

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Anine Bing

Trent trousers

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Favorite Daughter

The Jones pants

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Quince

classic trouser pants