When choosing what color shirt to wear with army green pants, there are a few key factors to consider in order to create a stylish and fashionable look. The shade of green, the season and occasion, and your own personal style preferences should all influence your decision. Read on for tips on pairing shirts with army green pants for a put-together ensemble.
Quick Answer
Some quick go-to options for shirts to wear with army green pants include white, black, olive green, navy blue, light blue, gray, tan, and brown shirts. Crisp white shirts provide contrast and help brighten the look. Black shirts offer an edgy vibe. Sticking to neutral earth tones like olive green, navy, gray, tan, or brown will give a natural, casual look. Pastel shades like light blue also complement the green nicely.
The Shade of Your Army Green Pants
Not all army greens are created equal, so the exact shade of your pants should factor into your shirt choice. A darker forest green calls for lighter, brighter shirt colors to balance it out. Meanwhile, a lighter sage green can be paired with darker muted tones without looking overly heavy. Here are some shirt color recommendations based on army green shades:
Dark Forest Green Pants
– White
– Light blue
– Light pink
– Light gray
– Cream
Olive Drab Green Pants
– Black
– Navy blue
– Light gray
– Tan
– Brown
Lighter Sage Green Pants
– Dark red
– Burgundy
– Mustard yellow
– Royal blue
– Charcoal gray
Season & Occasion
The season and occasion where you will be wearing the green pants outfit also helps dictate what colors work best. Some shirt shades that complement army green pants in various settings include:
Spring & Summer
– Pastels like light pink, mint, baby blue
– Crisp white
– Nautical stripes
– Floral prints
– Light linen or cotton button-downs
Fall & Winter
– Deeper colors like maroon, hunter green, navy
– Plaids &Checks
– Cashmere sweaters
– Henleys & thermals
Casual Daytime
– T-shirts in white, black, gray
– Denim button-downs
– Plain sweatshirts
– Graphic tees
Work or Business Casual
– Solid button-down shirts
– Polo shirts
– Blazers or sweaters
– Conservative prints
Night Out
– Dress shirts with nice details
– Blouses with metallic sheen
– Satin
– Lace
– Leather
Weekend Wear
– Jersey knits
– Hoodies
– Flannel
– Playful graphic tees
Factors for Choosing Shirt Colors
Some additional factors to keep in mind when selecting a shirt color for your army green pants include:
Skin Tone
Choose shirt colors that complement your complexion. Light, bright colors tend to suit paler skin best. Olive and deeper skin looks great with jewel tones. Darker skin pops against pastels.
Hair & Eye Color
Pick shirt hues that play up your natural hair and eye color. For example, people with brown eyes often look good in green. Blondes suit light blue or pink tones. Redheads shine in green and purple shades.
Personal Style
Consider your own taste and style. If you gravitate towards monochromatic or tonal outfits, go for an olive green shirt. If you like preppy vibes, try a blue Oxford. For an edgy look, pair a black shirt with the green pants.
The Occasion
Make sure the shirt color matches the formality of the event. Brights for casual weekends, muted tones for work, and dressy hues like satin for night outs.
Combining Colors
You can combine shirt colors for extra interest. Try light blue with a brown belt, green with a gray cardigan, white with an army green jacket, etc.
Contrast Level
Lighter shirts provide more contrast against dark green pants. Darker shirts offer less contrast for a more streamlined look. Go for your preferred visual contrast level.
Shirt Styles to Consider
In addition to color, the style of shirt you choose also impacts the overall look. Styles that pair especially well with army green pants include:
Button-down Shirts
A crisp button-down in white, light blue, or gingham creates a tailored put-together vibe. Go for Oxford cloth or linen for warm weather.
Polo Shirts
Polos offer a casual classic preppiness. Solid, striped, or pique polos balance the pants.
T-Shirts
A basic white or black tee provides an effortlessly cool look. Crew neck and v-neck styles both work.
Hoodies & Sweatshirts
A hoodie or sweatshirt on top creates a comfortable casual outfit. Go for neutral colors like gray, tan, or olive green.
Sweaters
Pair a cotton cable knit sweater in tan, gray, or navy when it’s chilly out. Wool crew neck sweaters also complement the pants.
Blazers
For dressier occasions, finish with a tailored blazer. Opt for navy, gray, tan, or army green colored blazers.
Henleys
A long sleeve henley provides a relaxed vibe, especially with a few buttons undone. Wear in white, black, gray, or striped.
Choosing Patterns & Prints
In addition to solid colors, shirts with patterns like stripes, checks, and prints can also be successfully paired with army green pants.
Striped Shirts
Nautical breton stripes, thin pinstripes, and wide graphic stripes all provide visual interest. Stick to lighter toned stripes for balance.
Checked Shirts
Small and large check patterns in gingham, buffalo check, windowpane, tattersall, and more bring a casual flair.
Printed Shirts
Subtle printed motifs like florals, geometrics, paisleys, and polka dots can work for a dressier vibe. Scale down big prints.
When mixing patterns, make sure to vary the scale and limit yourself to 2-3 patterns maximum. Anchor busier prints with blocks of solid colored pieces.
Choosing Color Palettes
Some examples of versatile color palettes for pairing shirts with army green pants:
Monochrome
Olive green shirt + army green pants
Complementary
Red shirt + green pants
Triadic
Army green pants + orange shirt + blue jacket
Analogous
Army green pants + light blue shirt + yellow belt
Neutral
White shirt + army green pants + brown shoes
Mixing patterns and textures within the same color family also creates unified yet interesting looks.
Conclusion
Army green pants offer a rugged, versatile foundation for all sorts of stylish casual to dressy looks. Choosing shirts in colors like white, black, tan, gray, blue and earth tones will provide attractive contrast and complement the green shade nicely. Opt for lightweight button-downs, polos, tees, sweaters, henleys, and blazers in materials suitable for the season. Incorporate patterns tastefully with checks, stripes, and subtle prints scaling down oversized motifs. Use color palettes like monochromatic, complementary, triadic, analogous, and neutral for foolproof outfits. With the right shirt choice, your army green pants can be worn year-round for any occasion in fashionable style.
| Shirt Color | Shirt Style |
|---|---|
| White | Button-down shirt |
| Light blue | Polo shirt |
| Black | T-shirt |
| Gray | Sweatshirt |
| Tan | Cable knit sweater |
| Olive green | Henley shirt |