Reminiscent of military wear, “khaki” gives a masculine and rugged impression. In this issue, we will introduce episodes related to khaki, colors that go well with khaki, and examples of coordination using khaki as the main color!
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What is khaki?
Khaki” means “dust” in English and refers to a light brownish color with yellowish tints (light yellowish brown or beige). It is said that this color was created when British troops stationed in colonial India used soil to dye their white summer clothes as camouflage to make the stains less noticeable and to blend in with the surrounding environment.
In reality, however, khaki is used not only for brownish colors, but also for greenish colors such as olive, and is used in a wide range of colors. It may be easier to understand if you think of it as a color often used in camouflage patterns. In Japan, there is a marked tendency to consider olive green as khaki rather than the original earth color, but this is presumably related to the image of military uniforms. The common theory is that this is because the color “olive drab” (a grayish green or greenish brown), similar to the U.S. color “army green,” came to be regarded as khaki.
Therefore, overseas, khaki is often referred to only as brownish khaki, which is an earthy color in the original sense, and is distinguished from olive green and military green, which are greenish colors. The official website of Dockers, a chinos brand developed by Levi’s, also states that khaki is a light brownish yellow color, a sandy yellowish-brown hue, and is sometimes called “camel” or “beige” today.
What colors go well with khaki?
From here on, we will introduce images of colors that go well with khaki, such as olive green and military green, which are greenish, not the earthy brown khaki that is the original meaning of khaki in Japan.
Colors that go well with khaki (1) “White
White is the first color that goes well with khaki because it has a high neutralizing power. As the brightest color, it is a perfect complement to khaki, and it can take the edge off khaki that might otherwise look dowdy or plain. The combination of khaki and white is a great way to keep a clean and simple look in a coordinate.
Colors that go well with khaki ② “Beige
Brownish beige, camel, and mocha, along with khaki, are all earth colors, which are associated with the earth, plants, and other natural elements, and are also similar in hue, making khaki and beige a perfect match. The combination of khaki and beige is particularly effective in creating a natural look for a coordinated outfit. The darker the brown, the more mature the mood, while the off-white or ivory tones create a sense of transparency and elegance.
Color that goes well with khaki (3) “Black
Black is easy to match with items of any color and has the potential to tighten the impression, and of course, it goes well with khaki. However, if you combine only two colors, khaki and black, it will look dowdy and plain. To create a smart and sophisticated look, it is advisable to add a touch of white between the khaki and black to create an open look.
