khakis

Khakis are a color and fabric commonly used for trousers and other garments. The term khaki derives from the Persian word khak meaning earth or dust, and was adopted in the 19th century to describe the dusty color of uniforms worn by soldiers in British India.

Khaki fabrics are typically cotton twill or drill, woven to create a durable, breathable material that takes dye evenly and shows a muted brownish-tan shade. The phrase khaki drill referred to summer uniforms; khaki became standard in many armies by the early 20th century.

Historically associated with military uniforms, khakis spread into civilian fashion in the mid-20th century and became a staple trouser style alongside chinos. In modern usage, khakis or khaki pants generally describe casual or business-casual trousers in a tan or light brown color; chinos are a closely related variant, often lighter-weight and tailored differently.

Care and variants: Khaki garments are typically machine-washable; color may fade with repeated washings. The term also refers to the color itself. Khakis remain widely used in military, police, and school uniforms in some regions, while remaining popular in casual wear worldwide.