For your first smart trousers, choose above all a colour that combines with much of your existing clothing. Black and navy are often practical options for that. Black is formal and versatile, navy is slightly softer and goes with almost all tops. Grey and beige are good alternatives if they suit your wardrobe better. A handy test is whether you can immediately name several tops that go with them. Below we compare the five most chosen colours and look at cost per wear.
Why the first colour matters so much
Smart trousers are a basic piece that you can wear on different occasions. You wear them to the office, a dinner, a job interview or a festive occasion. As a first purchase, the colour determines how often they come out of the wardrobe. The easier trousers combine, the greater the chance that you wear them often. That is also the idea behind cost per wear: the more often you wear them, the lower the price per wear. A versatile colour can therefore give more wearing moments.
The five most chosen colours
| Colour | Strong in | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Black | Formal, evening, office | Shows dust and lint clearly |
| Navy | Office and daytime | Combines differently with black than with light shades |
| Grey | Office, calm, business | Nuance between lighter and darker grey |
| Beige or taupe | Spring and autumn, warm | Colour can show dirt more quickly |
| Brown | Autumn and winter, warm | Calls for matching shoes |
Black: the safe base
Black trousers combine with many different tops. For women, the Daphni in black is a simple base: 95% polyester and 5% elastane. For men, the Frederick in black fits, which contains polyester, viscose and a little elastane, among other fibres. Black is a calm base for both office and evening. The downside: lint and hairs show, so a brush belongs with the purchase.
Navy and grey: for those who want something softer
Navy is a good choice for those who find black too severe. It combines with white, light blue, cream and grey, and is less heavy in the daytime. Grey works in the same direction. For men, the Ulysses in taupe grey is a calm choice, with 66.7% polyester, 31.5% viscose and 1.8% elastane. Taupe grey sits between grey and beige and goes with navy, white and light blue. If you want something softer than black, taupe grey can be a good choice.
Beige and brown: warm and versatile
Beige is a smart choice if you already have a lot of dark clothing. The Harrison in beige is a trouser with 68% polyester, 22% viscose, 3% wool, 3% lyocell and 4% elastane, and gives a soft colour in autumn and spring. Brown suits winter. The Philippa in brown is 100% polyester and goes with cream, beige and blue. For a complete overview of men's trousers see trousers for men, for women trousers for women.
Cost per wear
Cost per wear can help you judge a purchase. Divide the price by the number of times you expect to wear the trousers. If you wear them once a week for a year, that is about fifty times. Trousers you wear a lot can work out better per wear than a cheaper model that rarely comes out of the wardrobe. That is why it pays to invest in a colour that goes with a lot, and in a fit you like. Fit therefore remains at least as important as colour.
How do you choose between colours?
- Look at your wardrobe. Which colours do you wear most often? The trousers should go with them.
- Think of your shoes. See which shoes you already have and whether they go well with the chosen colour.
- Picture three outfits. If that does not come easily, choose another colour.
- Test in daylight. Colours look different in a shop than outside. Look by a window.
What you take to the fitting room
Take the tops you wear most often, and the shoes you want to wear the trousers with. Walk, sit and bend a few times. Check that the waistband stays in place, that the leg ends at the right length and that the fabric is not see-through in daylight. A small alteration by a tailor can make trousers fit better, especially at the hem.
Trousers that grow with your wardrobe
Once you have your first smart trousers, you build around them step by step. First add two tops that always work, such as a white blouse or shirt and a fine-knit polo. Then a second pair of trousers in a different colour, so you can alternate and each pair lasts longer. Only then think about accents: a coloured top, a special belt or a coat that completes your other clothes. This way your wardrobe grows at a pace where every new piece gives several combinations.
What about a job interview or festive occasion?
Smart trousers are also the base for moments when you want to look extra good. At a job interview you wear them with a white shirt or a calm blouse, and shoes that are clean. At a festive occasion you finish them with a beautiful top and a piece of jewellery or a tie. The same trousers can carry a weekday, an interview and a dinner, and that is where the value of a good first purchase lies.
Care
Let the trousers air after wearing and always follow the care label for washing, drying and ironing. The care instructions page gives a good overview per material.
Shop the look
Daphni: trousers, black
Frederick: trousers, black
Ulysses: trousers, taupe grey
Harrison: trousers, beige
Philippa: trousers, brown
Frequently asked questions
Which colour of trousers is the most versatile?
Black and navy are versatile options, but the best choice depends on the colours you already wear.
Is beige suitable as a first pair of trousers?
Yes, provided your wardrobe contains many dark or neutral colours. Beige is softer than black, but shows stains sooner.
How often should I wash smart trousers?
Wash only when needed and follow the care label. Let the trousers air in between.
