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Khaki


From Design+Encyclopedia, the free encyclopedia on good design, art, architecture, creativity, engineering and innovation.
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Khaki

Khaki is a versatile color that has its roots in military uniforms but has since become a popular choice in fashion, interior design, and branding. It is a muted yellowish-brown or grayish-brown color that can range from deep olive green to soft beige. Khaki can evoke feelings of military power and strength, but its muted tones also add an element of subtlety and sophistication. It is often associated with reliability, trustworthiness, safety, stability, and dependability. In addition to clothing, bedding, and furniture, khaki can also be found in nature, such as in the fur of animals or in the colors of landscapes. It is a color that can be used to create a timeless look and feel, as its warm tones are both classic and modern. Khaki can be used to add texture and depth to a design, creating a look that is both sophisticated and timeless. It pairs well with bright colors such as red, yellow, and orange to create a vibrant look, as well as with neutrals such as white, grey, and black. The history of khaki dates back to the 19th century, when the British military began using a sturdy cotton cloth to make uniforms for their troops stationed in India. The cloth was dyed with a mixture of dust, mud, and curry powder to create a color that blended in with the local terrain. The word khaki itself comes from the Hindi word for dust. The color was subsequently adopted by other military forces around the world and has since become a staple in military uniforms.

versatile, muted, reliability, trustworthiness, sophistication, timeless, history

— Christopher Davis

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Khaki

Khaki is a light shade of yellow-brown, that is identified by the particular wavelength or frequency of light, which falls within the range of 616-650nm. The perception of the color is created by the presence of yellow pigments or chemicals known as xanthophylls. These impair the amount of blue light that is reflected by the object, thereby allowing us to perceive it as a yellow-brown shade. Additionally, the combination of the xanthophyll pigment with the presence of other elements such as zinc or tannin, contribute to the creation of a slightly greenish hue. Colorimetrists use these scientific principles to study and analyse the perception of colors, and to develop new color schemes for a variety of applications.

Tint, hue, shade, pigment, wavelength.

— William Davis

230319

Khaki

Khaki is an earth-toned color that has its origins in military uniforms. It has a variety of shades and tints, ranging from a deep olive green to a soft beige. The color is created by blending a few shades of brown, yellow, and green pigments together. Khaki is often used in fashion, interior design, and branding, as it is a neutral color that can be easily incorporated into many different looks. It is also a popular choice for military personnel, either as a uniform or as a part of a camouflage pattern.

Alternative names, synonyms, and other terms used to describe the color Khaki include olive, olive drab, military green, drab, sand, camel, brownish-green, dusty green, taupe, and loden.

— Peter Wright

230300

Khaki

Khaki is a subdued yellow-brown color that is derived from the name of a sturdy cotton cloth used to make military uniforms by the British during the 18th century. The color was subsequently adopted by the military forces in other countries, so its symbolism is closely associated with military service and strength. In the art world, khaki has been used to evoke a feeling of nostalgia for the past, as well as to suggest a sense of ruggedness and durability. It has also been used in fashion to create a sense of sophistication, refinement and neutrality. In different cultures and time periods, the hue of khaki has been associated with a variety of psychological and emotional effects, including feelings of trustworthiness, dependability, and resilience.

Timelessness, Strength, Neutrality, Reliability, Security.

— Rebecca Taylor

CITATION : "Rebecca Taylor. 'Khaki.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/define/khaki?E=230300 (Accessed on October 14, 2026)"

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Khaki

Khaki is a color often described as being a grayish-brown, olive-brown or tan in hue. It is a color that is often found in military, work, and outdoor clothing, such as chinos and cargo pants. In addition to clothing, other products such as bedding and furniture may also feature this shade. Khaki has a variety of connotations, many of which bring a sense of reliability and trust. It can also evoke feelings of safety, stability, and dependability.

Stability, Reliability, Trust, Dependability, Security.

— Brendon Parker

230249

Khaki

Khaki is a muted yellowish-brown or grayish-brown color which is often associated with troops or military personnel. This color is utilized in various art forms such as painting, graphic design, and textiles to create a subtle yet powerful visual impact. It can be seen in nature, such as in the fur of a Khaki colored animal, or in fashion, such as Khaki colored pants or jackets, and Khaki colored branding. It is a color that can be used to evoke a feeling of military power and strength, yet its muted tones add an element of subtlety and sophistication.

Earth tones, camouflage, utility, beige, olive.

— John Miller

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Khaki

The color Khaki is a warm, earthy hue that has become popular in many clothing designs. Its Hex Code is #F0E68C, and its sRGB value is (240,230,140). It is also a named webcolor, khaki. This versatile color can be used to create a variety of looks, from subtle to bold. It is often used to create a casual, relaxed feel in a design. Khaki pairs well with bright colors such as red, yellow, and orange to create a vibrant look. It also looks great with neutrals such as white, grey, and black. Khaki is often used to create a timeless look and feel, as its warm tones are both classic and modern. It can be used to add texture and depth to a design, creating a look that is both sophisticated and timeless.

Hue, tone, earthy, warm, versatile, subtle, bold, casual, relaxed, vibrant, timeless, texture, depth, sophisticated.

— Barbara Brown


Khaki Definition

Khaki on Design+Encyclopedia

We have 220,822 Topics and 478,829 Entries and Khaki has 7 entries on Design+Encyclopedia. Design+Encyclopedia is a free encyclopedia, written collaboratively by designers, creators, artists, innovators and architects. Become a contributor and expand our knowledge on Khaki today.