Look Book: Jeans/Chinos

Today I am going to start a new section of my blog that I have been slowly putting together over the last few weeks, a Look Book. Basically, I will be putting different clothing items together and posting them on here to create looks and outfits that I think are great.

To start off, I want to make a point of saying that one of the main things I look for when initially buying an item is whether the item has the versatility to be worn with a range of other pieces. Versatility is important, as it means you can wear an item you love without the embarrassment of constantly re-wearing the exact same outfit.

Today I am going to choose a single item that I think is an essential piece of every guys outfit rotation because of how well it goes with so many different clothes:

    Dark coloured chinos/jeans.

A pair of dark coloured slim-fit chinos or jeans are an absolute essential of any wardrobe because of the versatility they allow. Dark coloured chinos/jeans allow for a more dressed up look than regular coloured chinos or standard denim jeans, and shades such as black are really easy to match with most other colours.

I always have at least one pair of black jeans in my closet, and recently purchased a pair of dark-dyed slim-fit chinos from men's fashion store Connor. In fact, in preparation for the first edition of my Look Book, I actually planned my shopping selections around this pair of chinos because of how many different outfits can be put together using them as a foundation. I found a whole different variety of clothes that go great with the dark jeans/chinos (unfortunately I could only afford so many) and have collected a few examples here:

Brighter colours, like purple, pink or red, look great when teamed with a pair of black jeans/chinos. The bright colours contrast fantastically with the dark shade of the pants. Personally, for a more dressed up look, I like to make use of contrasting colours in the form of checkered shirts.

To further enhance this look, I like to wear a short, slim fit leather jacket over the top of the checkered shirt or even a simple Chambray shirt (see below). This not only adds another layer to the outfit, it enhances the  contrast of the bright shirt in between the dark leather and jeans.

For a more casual look, black chinos or jeans can be paired with any standard white tee, with a simple printed design. For the more adventurous, choose a tee with a brightly coloured print to contrast with the plain white and black.

Dark jeans/chinos are also extremely versatile because of the wide range of footwear that can be worn with them. If going for a dressed up look, black jeans simply need to be paired with a pair of boots or high tops. For an everyday look, any standard casual shoe can be worn with dark pants and matched to the style of shirt being worn as well.