How to Style Gray Pants for Everyday Elegance

Gray pants are one of the most underrated classics in a wardrobe. They’re softer than black, just as versatile as navy, and pair with more colors than you might think. Depending on how you style them, gray pants can be casual enough for the weekend or polished enough for work meetings or dinner events.

What I love most about gray is the soft, quiet luxury vibe it has going on. I think it’s a really elegant color that doesn’t get enough attention. Today I’m breaking down how to style gray pants for any occasion, covering everything accessories, shoes, and outfit formulas. By the end, you’ll have plenty of ideas to make gray pants a go-to piece in your wardrobe.

How to Style Gray Pants

What Colors Go With Gray

Gray is a neutral although some consider it to be a cooler color. Neutrals go with just about every color and when you really think about it, gray does just that. If you are like me and tend to favor cool tones over warm tones, style your gray pants with blues, black, and whites. If you love warmer colors, go ahead and pair gray with reds, brown, and yellow. Its hard to find a color that doesn’t go with gray. Here are the some of the best colors that go with gray, whether you wear light gray trousers or dark gray.

• Olive green
• Navy
• Light Blue
• Black
• Burgundy
• Beige 
• Other shades of grey
• White and Ivory
• Pink
• Yellow
• Red
• Brown

 

What to Wear With Gray Pants

Gray and Beige Outfit

I’ve been a fan of gray and beige for years. The two tones together feel so classic and understated, but still polished. For this look, I paired these dark gray pants (they come in regular, petite, and tall lengths) with this soft beige sweater, beige pumps (TARA15 for 15% off), and a beige bag. It’s effortless yet refined- the perfect example of how to style gray pants in a neutral, polished way. This kind of outfit works for the office, a lunch date, or a casual dinner. I love how the neutral palette keeps it timeless while adding a quiet luxury vibe. Whether you go with dark colored or light colored gray pants, beige just works!

Beige can come in many tones, and all of them pair well with gray. For a true beige option, this sweater is slightly more neutral then the one I’m wearing which has pink undertones.

 

Gray and Green Outfits

Olive green is one of my favorite shades to pair with gray. If you’re wondering how to style gray pants for fall, this is a great combo. A cozy olive sweater with darker gray pants feels understated but stylish. You can pair olive green, emerald green, and even sage with gray. For your accessories, try cognac or black depending on whether you want a warmer or cooler look.

 

Black and Gray Pants Outfits

You really can’t go wrong with black and gray. It’s one of the most classic combinations. A pair of gray trousers with a black sweater or blouse always feels modern yet timeless. This pairing works just as well for the office as it does for a casual dinner out. To keep it interesting, play with textures like a soft knit with tailored pants or a silk blouse with wide-leg trousers. For a finishing touch, add a red lip or a bold accessory to break up the neutrals and make the look feel polished.

Gray and Red Outfits

Red is such a bold color, and gray is the perfect way to make it feel more wearable. I love gray trousers with a red sweater for fall. It feels polished without being over the top. To keep things a little more subtle, gray shoes or boots are a great option since they blend right in.

For accessories, I usually reach for cognac (my favorite with this combo) because it adds warmth and makes the outfit feel grounded. Dark brown works beautifully too.

 

Blue and Gray Outfit Ideas

Blue and gray always feel fresh and balanced. It’s another effortless example of how to style gray pants in a smart casual way. Shades of blue and gray are a soft but cool tone color combination. The two colors pair really well with silver shoes for a dressy vibe, and cognac colored shoes for a more elevated preppy look. Whether you choose light blue shirts or dark navy sweaters, this color pairing works beautifully with brown or black accessories. Light blue paired with gray leans towards a smart casual look, while navy and shades of gray lean very elegant.

Monochrome Gray Outfit Ideas

For an elevated look, try gray on gray. It’s ok if they grays are different shades. Dark gray pairs beautifully with light gray. It stills gives that cohesive monochrome look. Keep it quiet with black shoes, add an icy vibe with silver shoes, or add a pop of color with burgundy or red shoes.

Gray Pants Outfits

There are truly so many ways to wear gray. The secret to making an outfit look cohesive is in the accessories you add. Stick to 3 colors max in your outfit and you will get a polished look every time.

 

What Color Shoes to Wear with Gray Pants

When you’re styling gray pants, it can sometimes feel tricky to decide what shoes work best. You really can’t go wrong with classic neutrals like black, dark brown, cognac, or even silver and gray. Choose red, burgundy, or navy shoes if you are wearing gray-on-gray or if you pull these colors into another piece somewhere in your outfit. My burgundy boots above are a fall favorite!

Gray shoes can be surprisingly hard to find, so I’ve done the searching for you. Here are a few of my favorite pairs in different shades of gray:

When you’re figuring out how to style gray pants, shoes can make or break the look. And to make sure you get the most wear out of your gray pants, it helps to have a few timeless shoes on hand that can be styled with just about anything:

 

For even more tips on choosing the right shoes, check out my post on how to style boots. I break down exactly which boot styles work best with different outfits. Love styling with color? You may also love my post on classy ways to style navy!