In winter, black trousers combine well with light shades such as white, cream, light blue and soft pink. Add texture with knitwear, rib or a blouse with a contrast collar. That keeps the outfit lighter. For the office, wear them with a blouse and cardigan, for the weekend with knitwear and loafers, and for dinner with a piece with sheen. Below you will find five fully worked-out combinations, plus advice on shoes, cut and care.
Which black trousers do you have?
The cut of black trousers largely determines how you combine them. The two most versatile styles are:
- High-waist with pleats. A high-waist pleated trouser in black has a classic, professional look. The pleats give room and the high waist lengthens your legs. Ideal with a tucked-in blouse or a short knitted top.
- With pleats and a flared leg. A pleated flared trouser in black has a more feminine silhouette that flares towards the bottom. It looks lovely with a heel and gives every outfit an elegant line.
Combination 1: white and black for the office
White and black remains a classic combination. Instead of a standard white blouse, choose a ribbed quarter-zip lyocell polo in white. The rib gives texture, the zip a modern detail, and lyocell feels soft and pleasant all day. Tuck the polo into the high-waist trousers and wear a long cardigan or a tailored jacket over it. Loafers or ankle boots underneath.
Combination 2: light blue with a contrast collar
Light blue and black is softer than white and black, but just as professional. A fitted blouse with a white collar and cuffs in light blue brings a graphic detail to your neck and wrists, which echoes nicely in the sleek line of black trousers. Wear it tucked in and keep jewellery small. This works well for a presentation or client appointment.
Combination 3: soft pink for the weekend
Soft pink gives black more colour in winter. A fine-knit T-shirt with a tweed look in pink with the flared black trousers and loafers is polished, but not stiff. Wear a long camel or grey coat over it. The two-tone knit of the T-shirt gives depth, so the pink does not become sugary.
Combination 4: cream and black for dinner
For dinner you can combine cream with black. An open-knit wool and cashmere polo in cream with the flared black trousers and a heel gives a rich, elegant look. The open knit catches the candlelight and the cream colour provides contrast. Gold jewellery and a small bag finish it off.
Combination 5: all black, but with texture
A fully black outfit works better if the materials differ from each other. Combine the trousers with black knitwear with rib or cable, a black blouse with sheen or a black cardigan. The difference in material stops the whole from looking flat. A light coat or scarf over it makes sure you do not disappear completely into the dark in winter.
Shoes with black trousers
| Shoe | Best with | Occasion |
|---|---|---|
| Loafers | High-waist and flared, ankle length | Office and weekend |
| Ankle boots | Flared leg that falls over the boot | Winter days, office |
| Pumps or slingbacks | Flared leg | Dinner, party, presentations |
| White leather trainers | Straight or slightly shorter leg | Weekend, casual Friday |
Mind the length: with a flared leg, the fabric should almost reach the ground with the shoe you wear. With high-waist trousers with a straight leg, the ankle may just be visible.
Black in winter: stop it looking heavy
A lot of black can look heavy in winter. Three ways to prevent that:
- Light near your face. Wear a light top, blouse or scarf, so your face lights up.
- Texture. Choose knitwear, rib or a fabric with sheen instead of flat cotton basics.
- Warm accents. A camel coat, cognac bag or gold jewellery instantly makes black warmer.
How to keep black black
Black trousers that turn grey and dull lose their chic look. Wash them inside out, at a low temperature, with a detergent for dark clothing. Do not wash more often than necessary: hang the trousers to air after wearing and brush off dust and fluff. Do not dry them in bright sun or on the radiator. And iron on a low setting, with a cloth in between, to prevent shiny patches.
Jewellery and accessories with black
With black, accessories stand out even more. Gold gives warmth and goes well with cream and pink, silver looks cooler and suits white and light blue. A leather belt in cognac or black finishes high-waist trousers when you tuck in your top. Keep to one eye-catcher: striking earrings or a statement necklace, not both. A light scarf in wool or cashmere is both practical and flattering in winter, because it brings light to your face.
Why black trousers are versatile
You wear black trousers to the office, to a dinner, to a funeral, to a job interview and at the weekend. Because you can wear black trousers so often, fit and colour retention are extra important.
See all trousers for women, discover tops in the tops collection and find complete work looks in the Office collection for women. You can read more about the soft fibre behind many of our tops on the page about lyocell.
Shop the look
Arabelli: high-waist pleated trousers, black
Daphni: pleated flared trousers, black
Ophelia: ribbed quarter-zip polo, white
Seraphine: fitted blouse with white collar, light blue
Lenora: fine-knit T-shirt with tweed look, pink
Augusta: open-knit wool and cashmere polo, cream
Frequently asked questions
Which colour top goes with black trousers?
Almost anything, but in winter light and soft shades work best: white, cream, light blue and soft pink. They provide contrast and make your face light up.
Which shoes do you wear with black trousers?
Loafers and ankle boots for the day, pumps or slingbacks for dinner. With a flared leg, choose a shoe with a small heel so the leg falls nicely.
How do you stop black trousers turning grey?
Wash inside out at a low temperature with a detergent for dark clothing, do not wash more often than necessary and do not dry in the sun or on the radiator.
