How to Style Athleta Brooklyn Pants: 6 Outfit Ideas

After I recently shared the Athleta Brooklyn Ankle Pants, a reader asked how I would style them. I went looking to see what advice was already out there and found a whole lot of T-shirts, denim jackets, sneakers, and sandals. Nothing wrong with any of those combinations, but these pants can do so much more. I've owned these pants, and found they can dress up and down with ease, and are a great wear from spring to late fall for travel, for work, and for everyday.

I included the Brooklyn Ankle Pant in my guide to the best travel pants for women because the lightweight, wrinkle-resistant fabric and comfortable waistband make it particularly useful for travel. But one reason the Brooklyn has remained so popular is that it doesn't have to look like a travel pant.

When possible, I chose pieces with extended size ranges, but these outfits are meant as formulas rather than shopping lists; use similar pieces already in your closet or from brands that fit your body and budget.

A Polished Brooklyn Pants Outfit for Travel

Shop the Collage: water-repellent bomber jacket (XXS-XL & petite/tall) | merino top (0/2-16) | sunglasses | earrings | lip oil | theft-resistant bag | sneakers | Athleta Brooklyn Pants

I own everything in this look except the bag and the merino top… and both have been on my radar for a while. While I chose travel-friendly pieces, this could be worn most anywhere anytime. Switch out the sneakers for flats or sandals, the merino sweater for a silky tank (or my beloved Chico's Microfiber tank), the crossbody for a clutch (this one is genius for travel). It's a surprisingly versatile look that can go from sightseeing to dinner.

How to Dress Up Brooklyn Pants for Dinner

Shop the Collage: sweater (XS-XL) | earrings | ring | lipcolor | clutch | flats | Athleta Brooklyn Pants

Many ask how to dress up the Athleta Brooklyn pants for evening. A switch of shoes and bag is what transforms them to evening. The “track stripe” side feels purposeful when you add texture and accessories. This outfit shows how mixing brown and black can be quite chic; the modern jewelry and oversized clutch make the look very on trend, the flats are an example of how you don't need heels to look dressy.

I have been a fan of this sweater for years. I own it in black and I own it in teal. It is the “Lorna” from Reiss and the brand has had it for a long while, always in black and then switching out the other colors with the season. When I was a 16, the XL fit. When I was a 12, the XL still fit but so did the L. Right now at a 14/16 I wear both but the smaller one feels a bit more… polished while the larger one I can throw on with jeans or dress up. It's off the shoulder, which adds a dressy and sexy detail without showing a ton of skin. A visible strap is acceptable as long as it's not too thick and simple, though I usually wear mine with this strapless bra.

Brooklyn Pants With a Button-Down and Loafers

Shop the Collage: bust-friendly no-iron shirt (XXS-XXL) | coat (XS-3X) | glasses | silk scarf | earrings | watch | bag | loafers | Athleta Brooklyn pants

IMO, the easiest way to wear the Brooklyn pant from Athleta this fall is with a wrinkle-resistant button-front shirt and loafers. Leave the shirt untucked, or if you like the half-tuck, tuck in one side of the shirttail. Throw a sweater over your shoulders or tie it around your waist and when it gets chilly, throw it on letting the cuffs and shirttail show. Or add a silk scarf tied cowboy style or a more classic tie in the neckline.

Here, I added a coat that ends above the knee; if you desire a longer coat or trench, this is a good length for an ankle pant like the Athleta Brooklyn. A pair of loafers work really well with the Brooklyn pants to dress them up. Essentially, go super classic with everything else and these travel pants will look purposeful.

A Casual Brooklyn Pants Outfit That Doesn't Feel Like Activewear

Shop the Collage: striped tee (XS-3X) | denim chore jacket (XS-3X) | baseball cap | sunglasses | sling bag | phone case | sneakers | Athleta Brooklyn pants

If you're looking to style the Athleta Brooklyn pants with a denim jacket, I recommend going with a longer and more relaxed silhouette like a chore jacket, trucker jacket, or barn jacket. Here, a dark wash style feels modern and cool yet perfectly comfortable for anything from sightseeing to a grocery run. A Breton striped top offers easy interest to an outfit, and brown sneakers continue the color of the pants letting the rest of the outfit take the spotlight.

How to Wear Athleta Brooklyn Pants to Work

Shop the Collage: blazer (00-40) | refined tank (0/2-20/22) | glasses | necklace | tote | flats (N, M, W) | Athleta Brooklyn pants

Yes, you can style the Athleta Brooklyn ankle pants with a blazer; the two pair together quite nicely. Stick with a more traditional suiting fabric, or go with one of the travel-friendly fabrics like the M.M.LaFleur OrigamiTech and they will pair well. Add shoes with a print or texture to make the mixed fabrics feel purposeful. While I did a simple refined tank under the blazer, you can do a dressier shell, a lightweight sweater, or even a t-shirt instead.

Brooklyn Pants With a Sweater

Shop the Collage: sweater (XXS-3X) | t-shirt (XXS-4XL) | earrings | ring | tote | phone case | flats | Athleta Brooklyn pants

When styling Athleta Brooklyn pants with a sweater, look for a style that hits somewhere between slightly cropped and high-hip length. Because these are ankle pants, a shorter sweater will provide balance. As for volume of the sweater, whatever makes you comfortable will work.

This Eileen Fisher alpaca/cotton sweater is a shorter but not cropped length with a proper waistband to give shape, but it is a very relaxed/boxy fit for a comfortable, relaxed effect. Underneath I placed a new-to-me well-fitting opaque white t-shirt with a cap sleeve; you could switch with a white button-front shirt, a black camisole, or a lower-neckline tee.

If you get warm, you can remove the sweater and throw it over your shoulders or tie around your waist. Incorporating the current slouchy tote trend, I added an olive green option and a pair of incredibly comfortable and supportive flats in the same color. (I previously showed how to style these Mary Jane flats multiple ways.)

What Shoes Should You Wear With Athleta Brooklyn Pants?

Because the Brooklyn is an ankle-length pant, it works with more shoe styles than you may expect. The easiest choices are low-profile sneakers, loafers, flats, Mary Janes, and sandals; the best option depends on how casual or polished you want the outfit to feel.

Shoe	Best for
Low-profile sneakers	Travel, sightseeing, casual outfits
Loafers	Work, smart casual, fall
Pointed-toe flats	Work, dinner, dressier outfits
Mary Janes	Casual outfits with a more current feel
Sandals	Warm-weather outfits

For more ideas, I have a complete guide to what shoes look best with ankle pants, including examples of different shoe and pant combinations.

Can You Wear Athleta Brooklyn Pants With Boots?

Honestly, I wouldn't force the Athleta Brooklyn pants to work with boots. The lightweight fabric and ankle length make these pants better suited to sneakers, loafers, flats, Mary Janes, and sandals. Most ankle boots either leave an awkward gap between the boot and hem or compete with the narrow ankle of the pants.

If you really want to wear Brooklyn pants with boots, a sleek, close-fitting boot with a shaft that disappears underneath the hem would be your best bet. But once it's cold enough that one would desire substantial boots, I'd choose a different pair of pants.

What Socks Do You Wear With Brooklyn Pants?

With sneakers, I prefer low-profile or no-show socks so the ankle-length silhouette of the Brooklyn pant remains clean. With loafers or flats, you can go sockless or use no-show socks. The fabric of the Athleta Brooklyn pant is so lightweight, it will both compete with and cling to most hosiery. If it's cold enough that you need socks for warmth, that's another sign that the Brooklyn pants may not be the best choice for the weather.

FAQ