Are black pants okay for business casual?

[beny]

Black suits are a no-no... what about wearing black trousers, black cap-toe shoes, and a white dress shirt? Is this acceptable attire for a position such as investment banking?

 

[yachtie]

Investment banking? No.
Waiting tables? Yes.

 

[teddieriley]

Originally Posted by yachtie

Investment banking? No.
Waiting tables? Yes.

I have a buddy who is clueless about style. Absolutely. I met him for lunch during the work week, and I was wearing a suit sans tie and he was wearing a white shirt, pleated black trousers that were too baggy for him and some pretty beat up black loafers (he's 27). As we were walking back from lunch, I don't know how it came up, but he told me, you're stylin, and look at me, I look like a freakin' waiter.

I don't think black trousers are an absolute no-no if you pair them with some nice burgandy shoes and a non-white shirt, preferably something with color and pattern.

 

[vitaminc]

Originally Posted by beny

Black suits are a no-no... what about wearing black trousers, black cap-toe shoes, and a white dress shirt? Is this acceptable attire for a position such as investment banking?

As long as you don't put on a plain white dress shirt and a black tie; you would look like a waiter.

 

[330CK]

Plain white shirt over black pants has always irked me. Especially since I've been forced to wear it back in high school band, because "white over black is traditional for musicians". Luckily (for me) my college professor treats any informal appearance (sans tuxedo) as a "wear what you want as long as it's dressy". Unfortunately, though, most students show up in polo shirt and jeans when told that.

Not to mention I have a very limited choice of apparel at my job. You can wear either a white or black shirt and khaki or black pants. It's amazing some of the outfits my fellow employees come up with...

 

[JayJay]

I recently sent a pair of wool black dress pants and a pair of black chinos to charity. Black pants are not for me.

 

[RichmondStyle]

I have few pair of black pants that I wear when we are business casual on Fridays in the winter. I usually pair them with some sort of gray patterned shirt or a shirt with some deep reds.

 

[constant struggle]

my black pants have been retired into funeral wear..

although sometimes i wear them with a brighter kind of light blue with vertical white stripes shirt and it looks okay

 

[gumercindo]

I think black pants is fine as long as you don't wear a white shirt and duck billed clunker shoes. Wear a non-white shirt and some non-black shoes (burgundy, some shades of brown, heck even black shoes) and you should be fine.

 

[thinman]

Originally Posted by teddieriley

....

I don't think black trousers are an absolute no-no if you pair them with some nice burgandy shoes and a non-white shirt, preferably something with color and pattern.

I agree. They wouldn't be my first choice, but they're only taboo on this forum (and AAAC).

 

[John Ellis]

Black pants are a difficult style choice. I know, my wife talked me into buying a black linen pair a couple of weeks ago as casual/semi casual choice to go with dark brown linen jacket with window pane overcheck (it works) or as item to wear with individual patterned shirts (no tie). They only work with black loafers of a fairly casual look eg. Gucci types or Tod style driving shoes in black. Black pants with white shirt is definitely waiter territory.

 

[DaveDr89]

hmm, RE shoes to go w/ black pants, I'm surprised I'm hearing brown tossed the discussion ... I have some dark brown shoes but haven't thought about wearing them w/ black pants ... other opinions?

 

[gumercindo]

Originally Posted by DaveDr89

hmm, RE shoes to go w/ black pants, I'm surprised I'm hearing brown tossed the discussion ... I have some dark brown shoes but haven't thought about wearing them w/ black pants ... other opinions?

I have a pair of caramel/brown colored split toe Ferragamos that go great with my super dark charcoal pants. Give it a shot. I love brown and black,.

 

[DaveDr89]

okay, I have a couple of dark brown C&J's that I've never tried w/ either black or charcoal pants ... will give it shot ...

 

[John Ellis]

Originally Posted by gumercindo

I have a pair of caramel/brown colored split toe Ferragamos that go great with my super dark charcoal pants. Give it a shot. I love brown and black,.

So do I and have always worn black shoes with a dark brown, chalk striped flannel suit but to my mind they just don't work with black pants. It's all personal at the end of the day.