Khaki vs. Tan — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 8, 2024
Khaki is a light brown with a hint of green, often used in military wear, while tan is a pure light brown shade, common in casual and formal attire.
Difference Between Khaki and Tan
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Khaki is a color that originally gained popularity through its use in military uniforms, signifying its association with durability and practicality. On the other hand, tan is often seen as a neutral, versatile color in fashion, suitable for a wide range of occasions.
Khaki's slight green undertone gives it a distinct earthy feel, making it ideal for outdoor and rugged uses. Whereas, tan, with its purely brown hue, lends a softer, more approachable look, preferred in both professional and casual settings.
In terms of symbolism, khaki is often associated with reliability, stability, and strength, reflecting its military origins. Tan, however, is frequently linked to simplicity, warmth, and comfort, making it a favorite in home décor and wardrobe choices.
When it comes to seasonal wear, khaki is a color that transitions well between seasons, suitable for both spring and autumn collections. Tan, while also versatile, is particularly favored in summer and spring fashion, complementing lighter, airier fabrics.
In the realm of accessories and footwear, khaki is a common choice for more utilitarian or outdoor gear, such as hiking boots and military backpacks. Tan accessories, however, are often selected for their ability to blend seamlessly with a wide array of colors, offering elegance and understated style.
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Comparison Chart
Color Undertone
Light brown with a hint of green
Pure light brown
Common Use
Military wear, outdoor gear
Casual and formal attire, accessories
Symbolism
Reliability, stability, strength
Simplicity, warmth, comfort
Seasonal Wear
Transitions well between seasons
Favored in summer and spring
Associated Gear
Utilitarian, outdoor
Elegant, versatile accessories
Compare with Definitions
Khaki
Casual pants made from khaki fabric.
She paired her white blouse with khaki pants for a casual look.
Tan
Sun-tanned skin.
After a week at the beach, her skin turned a beautiful tan shade.
Khaki
A term used to describe military or outdoor gear.
His khaki backpack was filled with camping supplies.
Tan
A light brown color, often used in fashion and design.
The tan leather sofa added warmth to the living room.
Khaki
A color ranging from light brown to olive drab, used in military uniforms.
The soldiers donned their khaki uniforms for the desert mission.
Tan
Clothing or accessories in light brown color.
Her tan coat was perfect for the early spring weather.
Khaki
Fabric dyed in khaki color, often cotton or wool.
He wore a jacket made of durable khaki fabric.
Tan
A soft, neutral color choice in accessories.
He chose tan shoes to complement his navy suit.
Khaki
Clothing or gear designed for practicality and durability.
The new khaki line includes both jackets and pants for hiking.
Tan
Leather processed to a light brown hue.
She preferred tan leather for her handbag collection.
Khaki
Khaki (UK: , US: ) is a color, a light shade of brown with a yellowish tinge. Khaki has been used by many armies around the world for uniforms, including camouflage.
Tan
To convert (an animal hide) into leather by subjecting it to a chemical process that stabilizes the proteins, making it less susceptible to decay.
Khaki
A strong cotton or wool fabric of a dull brownish-yellow colour, used especially in military clothing
He was dressed from head to toe in khaki
A regulation-issue khaki overall
Tan
To make (a person or a person's skin) darker by exposure to the sun.
Khaki
A dull greenish or brownish-yellow colour
A pair of khaki Bermuda shorts
Tan
To make (a person or a person's skin) darker by exposure to artificial sunlight or by the application of certain chemicals, often in the form of sprays or lotions.
Khaki
A light olive brown to moderate or light yellowish brown.
Tan
(Informal) To thrash; beat.
Khaki
A sturdy cloth of this color.
Tan
To become darker from exposure to the sun or artificial sunlight, or from the application of certain chemicals.
Khaki
Khakis A uniform made of this cloth.
Tan
A light or moderate yellowish brown to brownish orange.
Khaki
Khakis Pants made of a twilled cotton fabric of this color or another solid color.
Tan
A suntan.
Khaki
A dull, yellowish-brown colour, the colour of dust.
Tan
An artificially created suntan.
Khaki
Khaki green, a dull green colour.
Tan
Tanbark.
Khaki
A strong cloth of wool or cotton, often used for military or other uniforms.
Tan
Tannin.
Khaki
(rare) A soldier wearing a khaki uniform.
Tan
A solution derived from tannin.
Khaki
A British person (from the colour of the uniform of British troops, originally in the Second Boer War; compare rooinek). In this sense the plural generally is khakies.
Tan
See Tanka.
Khaki
(often in plural) Khaki clothing or uniform.
Tan
Light or moderate yellowish-brown to brownish-orange.
Khaki
Dust-coloured; of the colour of dust.
Tan
Having a suntan or the appearance of a suntan.
Khaki
Of a dull brownish yellow, or drab color; - applied to cloth, originally to a stout brownish cotton cloth, used in making uniforms in the Anglo-Indian army.
Tan
Used in or relating to tanning.
Khaki
Any kind of khaki cloth; hence, a uniform of khaki or, rarely, a soldier clad in khaki. In the United States and British armies khaki or cloth of a very similar color is almost exclusively used for service in the field.
Tan
A yellowish-brown colour.
Khaki
A sturdy twilled cloth of a yellowish brown color used especially for military uniforms
Tan
A darkening of the skin resulting from exposure to sunlight or similar light sources.
She still has a tan from her vacation in Mexico.
I'm hoping to get a tan this weekend at the beach.
Khaki
Of a yellowish brown color
Tan
The bark of an oak or other tree from which tannic acid is obtained.
Tan
An Armenian drink made of yoghurt and water similar to airan and doogh
Tan
Syn of picul, particularly in Cantonese contexts.
Tan
(dialectal) A twig or small switch.
Tan
Yellowish-brown.
Mine is the white car parked next to the tan pickup truck.
Tan
Having dark skin as a result of exposure to the sun or an artificial process intended to mimic this effect.
You’re looking very tan this week.
Tan
To change to a tan colour due to exposure to the sun.
No matter how long I stay out in the sun, I never tan, though I do burn.
Tan
To change an animal hide into leather by soaking it in tannic acid. To work as a tanner.
Tan
To spank or beat.
Tan
To kill by gun, to shoot.
Tan
The second cardinal number two, formerly used in Celtic areas, especially Cumbria and parts of Yorkshire, for counting sheep, and stitches in knitting.
Tan
See Picul.
Tan
The bark of the oak, and some other trees, bruised and broken by a mill, for tanning hides; - so called both before and after it has been used. Called also tan bark.
Tan
A yellowish-brown color, like that of tan.
Tan
A brown color imparted to the skin by exposure to the sun; as, hands covered with tan.
Tan
Of the color of tan; yellowish-brown.
Tan
To convert (the skin of an animal) into leather, as by usual process of steeping it in an infusion of oak or some other bark, whereby it is impregnated with tannin, or tannic acid (which exists in several species of bark), and is thus rendered firm, durable, and in some degree impervious to water.
Tan
To make brown; to imbrown, as by exposure to the rays of the sun; as, to tan the skin.
Tan
To thrash or beat; to flog; to switch; as, to tan a disobedient child's hide.
Tan
To get or become tanned.
Tan
A browning of the skin resulting from exposure to the rays of the sun
Tan
A light brown
Tan
Ratio of the opposite to the adjacent side of a right-angled triangle
Tan
Treat skins and hides with tannic acid so as to convert them into leather
Tan
Get a tan, from wind or sun
Tan
Of a light yellowish-brown color
Common Curiosities
What is khaki color?
Khaki is a light brown color with a hint of green, often associated with military uniforms.
Is tan suitable for all seasons?
Tan is particularly favored in summer and spring but is versatile enough to be worn year-round, depending on the fabric and style.
Can khaki and tan be used interchangeably in fashion?
While both colors are versatile, khaki's slight green undertone and tan's pure brown hue offer different aesthetics and are chosen based on desired style and context.
How does tan differ from khaki in use?
Tan is widely used in casual and formal attire and accessories, while khaki is commonly seen in military wear and outdoor gear.
How do seasons affect the choice between khaki and tan?
Khaki suits transitional seasons well, while tan is especially popular during warmer months, complementing lighter, airier fabrics.
Why is khaki associated with the military?
Khaki's durability and earthy tone made it a preferred choice for military uniforms, blending well with natural surroundings.
Are khaki and tan suitable for formal occasions?
Tan is commonly used in formal attire, while khaki, though less common, can be styled for formal occasions depending on the garment's cut and fabric.
How do interior designers use tan and khaki?
Interior designers use tan for its warmth and versatility in creating cozy, inviting spaces, while khaki can add an earthy, grounded feel to interiors.
What does tan symbolize in color psychology?
Tan symbolizes simplicity, warmth, and comfort, making it a popular choice in fashion and home décor.
Can khaki be considered a neutral color?
Yes, khaki is considered a neutral color, versatile enough to match with various colors and styles.
Is khaki more durable than tan?
The perception of durability depends more on the fabric type than color, though khaki-colored gear is often designed for rugged use.
What symbolism does khaki carry?
Khaki symbolizes reliability, stability, and strength, reflecting its historical military use.
What kind of accessories are common in tan color?
Tan accessories, such as shoes, belts, and bags, are favored for their elegance and ability to blend with multiple outfits.
Why might someone choose khaki for outdoor activities?
Khaki is chosen for outdoor activities for its practicality, durability, and the color's natural blending with outdoor environments.
What are the fashion advantages of tan over khaki?
Tan offers a soft, neutral backdrop that pairs well with a wide range of colors, making it slightly more versatile in fashion than khaki.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
