The Esquire Color Quotient – GRAY 16%

The Esquire Color Quotient – Gray  16%

Banana Republic Boot-Cut Chino – $49.50

Gray came in third place on the Esquire Color Quotient, but it can easily be the number one color you’ll find in many a guy’s closet.  More than white, more than navy blue.

I know this because I’m one of those guys.

The Gray rut can be a tough rut to break.  Gray is just too easy.  It’s so versatile, looks good on just about anyone, and is the perfect neutral tone for the cooler months of the year as well as after the sun goes down all year round.

16% is still a big chunk of your wardrobe, so yes it’s one of those basic colors you need to have at your disposal, but try to avoid the rut.  You don’t want to look like you stepped out of an old black and white movie every time you head out the door.

A solid pair of Mid to light gray pants can be worn year round with almost anything else in your closet.  Banana Republic makes a great casual but not TOO casual chino that hits the perfect midpoint between charcol and light gray.

The fabric is thick enough that it doesn’t feel like you’re wearing a pair of flimsy dress pants, but they’re also dressy enough to wear to a not-too-formal wedding.  The cut of the legs is perfect, and they’ll make you look taller and slimmer than you probably already are.  Great to wear every day to the office (especially if you pair it with a blazer), and also perfect for dinner out.  And short of an old pair of Reebok Pumps, any shoes you can drag out from the floor of your closet (Boots, loafers, flip flops, oxfords, classic sneakers) will work just fine with em’.

Watch for sales and the clearance rack.  They can end up there every so often, and if you can get these for under $40 they’re a steal.