I’m going to let you in on a secret: the undercover style superhero in every man’s closet is a pair of grey pants. Forget capes or underwear you wear on the outside; a good pair of charcoal trousers offer a dash of sophistication and a sprinkle of nonchalant charm that can’t be beat by any fashion kryptonite.

Like fine wine or a good dad joke, grey pants only get better with time. So, let’s break down why these monochromatic maestros are your ticket to looking effortlessly suave. Your wardrobe is about to go from meh to magnetic faster than you can say, “Grey is the new black.”

Tips For Wearing Grey Pants

Fit is king. Take the time to find a pair that fits you well in the hips, and hits at your ankle. If they’re too long, spring for a tailor to hem them or even take them in or let them out at the waist. You’ll be surprised at how quickly you go from off the rack to seemingly made-to-measure.

When in doubt, stick to neutral hues. Pairing neutral colors like grey, navy, cream, and black make it easy to build outfits that look really good.

What grey pants to buy?

Depending on your lifestyle, you can fancy up your pants, or dress them down. Slim-fit grey trousers are great for a guy who works in an office, while a more modern, pleated pair could be right for someone who wants to push out of their fashion comfort zone.

When it comes to fabrics, you can’t go wrong with wool pants or corduroy in the colder months. And when it’s warmer out? A pair of washed chinos in grey or charcoal will come in handy all week long.

As for the right hue? There’s not one! Explore all the grey rainbow (greynbow?) spectrum.

The tl;dr? Grey slacks are a wardrobe staple and a good choice for all year round (see more #SGapproved men’s wardrobe essentials here).

Keep scrolling for men’s grey pants outfit ideas…

Go grey on grey

Love the loafers here, too. The monochrome look of the sweater and grey wool trousers adds texture that keeps this outfit looking anything but boring.

You could also swap out the crewneck tee underneath for a dress shirt or more casual Oxford shirt in a stripe or solid.

Wear pleated pants with a belt

These dark grey pants look stylish and serious at the same time.

The pleated fit might not be for everyone, but if you’re ready to dip your toe in the bigger pants trend, this is a great place to start, since the subtle color keeps you from feeling too “out there.”

Try oversize grey pants

Yes, these are some big-ass pants. But! The Adidas Samba sneakers and baseball hat ground the look in easily wearable relatability.

As for the best shoes to wear with grey pants, you’ve got plenty of options. If you’re going for a casual look with a wider-leg pant, opt for chunky dad sneakers. Keeping things conservative? Loafers and lace-ups always look good.

Shop men’s grey pant outfits

Smart casual style

pants | t-shirt | sweater | scarf | sneakers

This is a truly can’t-miss men’s outfit. White t-shirts pair well with grey pants when you wear them with sneakers in a casual way. You could also swap in a shirt with a collar if you want to look and feel a little dressier.

Textured sophistication

corduroy pants | turtleneck | zip cardigan | socks | boots | sunglasses

A grey turtleneck and pair of grey trousers lends a professorial effect. The heavy-duty cardigan acts as a jacket, though you could always add a topcoat, too. The boots keep the overall effect from being fussy.

Want to make this outfit more casual? Swap the sweater for a hoodie, and the zip-up wool cardigan for a flannel overshirt.

Shop men’s grey pants

Best grey dress pants

Best grey chinos

Best grey performance pants

Best grey jeans

Check out more style stories from SG HQ:

• Why wool trousers are a men’s wardrobe essential

• Smart casual style for the workplace

• The guy’s guide to corduroy