If it clashes, half the men (at least) at every “informal” function I have ever been to have been poorly dressed.

There is a bit of internet conventional wisdom that lighter grey pants are better, apparently on the theory that dark pants may appear as part of a mismatched suit or some such...I don’t really understand it and would not pay any attention to it.

Some people think such a combination is the uniform of a certain part of the working population who are required to wear coats and ties. They may be; if so, for good reason...it looks good.

I can say it is also the uniform of vacationing cardiologists, bankers, and engineers.

So, no it doesn’t clash, it works, but is not the most creative outfit one might chose.

 

thank you sir!

 

Does it work? Yes, it's in fact a classic combination.

 

Absolutely, truly a classic combination. While it is true this combination can look like a uniform, there are ways to avoid looking like you're wearing a uniform. The shirt and tie as well as the fabrics of the garment can make all the difference. I've never seen a security guard wear a bengal stripe or a tattersall shirt with a navy camel hair coat and charcoal gray flannel trousers. Just avoid garments with a high percentage of polyester.

 

It no only works, it works well. IMO the dove grey trousers with Navy Jacket don't work at all. It works better if the trousers and jacket have a different weave or texture. My Navy blue donegal tweed jacket, for examples works with nearly everything. Likewise, worsted over flannel IMO is a better look than worsted over worsted

 

I'd say the combination clashes. The trousers need to be a shade lighter than charcoal for it to work well. Otherwise it can look like a mismatched suit because you have two different very dark colours that both look like black in low lighting.

 

IMHO, it's suboptimal. An aesthetically successful pairing comes from an harmonious contrast. This harmonious contrast can be provided by several characteristics, but the two most notable are color and tone. The terms navy and charcoal are each frequently used to describe cloths that in actuality are quite different one from the other in either color, tone or both. Color means the actual shade of the cloth, were tone means lighter or darker. If the navy and charcoal have enough harmonious difference in either or both between jacket and trousers, I tend to find the pairing attractive, if not, I don't.

 

I just choose a Navy Sport Coat and charcoal herringbone trousers to hand out my chocolates this years. Mainly featuring a Brooks Red/Navy and Yellow plaid tie.

 

Sounds very handsome! 👍 I think this is likely an example of introducing pattern, and likely texture, as the necessary elements of contrast.

 

Personally, for trousers, I like beige (also known as British tan, which is light brown) trousers best with a dark green, burgundy or navy blazer. Mid gray (which is also known as Oxford gray), slate brown (which is mid brown-gray), tan (which is mid brown) and taupe (which is light brown-gray) work, too.

I actually like light gray trousers with a dark green, burgundy or navy blazer. Brown (which is dark brown), charcoal (also known as London fog gray, which is dark gray) and charcoal brown (which is dark brown-gray) trousers only work if it’s a noticeably different weave from the blazer. Otherwise, absolutely not.

 

Personally, for trousers, I like beige (also known as British tan, which is light brown) trousers best with a dark green, burgundy or navy blazer. Mid gray (which is also known as Oxford gray), slate brown (which is mid brown-gray), tan (which is mid brown) and taupe (which is light brown-gray) work, too.

I actually like light gray trousers with a dark green, burgundy or navy blazer. Brown (which is dark brown), charcoal (also known as London fog gray, which is dark gray) and charcoal brown (which is dark brown-gray) trousers only work if it's a noticeably different weave from the blazer. Otherwise, absolutely not.

Beige and British tan are different colours. See the chart I made here for the different versions: https://www.bondsuits.com/shades-of-beige-in-menswear/

 

As some have said, the combination goes well, but isn't the most creative. Still, I employ it from time to time. I also like to wear chocolate brown trousers with my navy blazers.

 

For a walk on the wild side, Chipp once had a considerable range of very fine quality flannel trousers in traditional tartans. I was fortunate to have a pair in the Lindsay Tartan -

It and the equally handsome Black Watch Tartan -

are examples of a bit quieter tartans that combine handsomely with navy blazers when discreetly accessorized.

 

For a walk on the wild side, Chipp once had a considerable range of very fine quality flannel trousers in traditional tartans. I was fortunate to have a pair in the Lindsay Tartan -

View attachment 72389

It and the equally handsome Black Watch Tartan -

View attachment 72391

are examples of a bit quieter tartans that combine handsomely with navy blazers when discreetly accessorized.

I love Black Watch and I love tartans in general. I like the look, and over the years I have thought several times about picking up a pair. (Most recently from Ben Silver.)

At the last Christmas party that our laboratory had prior to covid a Professor Emeritus wore a pair of Campbell tartan trousers and a stately double breasted navy blazer. One of the Neurosurgeons worn some Royal Stewart tartan trousers with a Navy blazer, both looked great.

Personally I am not confident that I could pull it off. Even though I like the look I feel like it would draw too much attention. (?)

I am, however, very fond of my light heather grey flannel flat front trousers from O'Connells with 1.75" cuffs paired with a bespoke blazer with custom sliver blazer buttons and endless shirt, tie, and pocket square combinations.

 

I belong on the Trad Forum. Had you posed the question there, the answer from Trads might be enthusiastic about the combination, appreciative of the lack of creativity (tradition trumps creativity), and suggesting a blue OCBD and your school colors repp tie, along with LHS or tassels in #8. There is comfort in wearing a uniform.

 

I've never actually seen this as a tradition among trads. Light or mid grey yes, but not charcoal.

 

I tend toward a mid gray on the darker side. I also wear a nice prince of wales black and white with a dark navy blazer. Both weave and texture are a bit different.

 

Cambridge grey?

 

About as light as I would ever go. Wahoowa.

 

I have worn a range of trousers with dark blue blazers -- Oxford and Cambridge grey flannels, silver grey worsted, cotton khakis in tan and olive green, corduroys, cavalry twills, beige flannels, cream flannels, Black Watch tartans, Prince of Wales checks in a variety of colours and shades, herringbones and small houndstooths. I can't remember wearing a charcoal grey though. Since the blazer goes with almost everything, it is always a good idea to try new combinations. Contrast in colour and texture is essential to these pairings, IMHO.

 

Prince of Wales checks

Very smart, I think. I once had a pair of small scale black and white houndstooth trousers that paired well with a navy blazer. Read as Oxford grey from more than a few feet.