How to Match Your Sports Coat & Trousers

Ensure that the sports coat and trousers you choose are different enough that they don't appear as a makeshift suit.

Wearing a sports coat and trousers can give you a lot more freedom to express your personal style than a suit can. You have a greater selection of patterns, colors and textures. How you put them together tells others what kind of guy you are--perhaps traditional because you match a navy blazer with gray trousers or more casual because you wear a chino jacket with jeans. Instead of trying to match your sports coat and jacket in terms of color and fabric to give your ensemble the impression of a suit, mix it up and have the fun of dressing the way you want instead of the frustration of trying to match jacket and trousers.

Things You'll Need

• Two pairs light-colored trousers, one for summer and one for winter
• Two pairs dark trousers, one for summer and one for winter
• Jacket that coordinates with light trousers
• Jacket that coordinates with dark trousers

Instructions

1. Mix and match different combinations of sports coats and trousers to find outfits for various occasions. There are no hard and fast rules.

2. Match darker jackets and lighter pants, such as a velvet navy coat with light gray pants or a dark brown sports coat with light khaki pants.

3. Pair a light-colored sports coats with dark trousers, such as a patterned tan sports jacket with denim jeans, or a light brown camel coat with dark brown or navy slacks.

4. Purchase several different weights of trousers for your closet so that you can match them with a sports coat and dress appropriately for the season. For example, corduroy is not a summer fabric. Cotton or polyester are better suited for warm weather.

5. Stock your closet with a selection of sports coats that are appropriate for different occasions. Choose a patterned jacket and a solid color and then pair them with different types of pants, such as cotton twill, polyester, wool, denim or corduroy to dress the jackets up or down.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear a velvet sports coat with contrasting corduroy trousers for a holiday or evening event. A charcoal velvet jacket with a pair of navy corduroy trousers is a good choice.

• The right shirt, accessories and footwear can pull your sports coat and trousers together. Take the time to experiment with colors and styles of ties, shirts, belts and shoes to find a look you find pleasing.

References

• Overstock.com: Men's Blazer Buying Guide
• Ask Men: Jackets vs. Blazers

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish