A suit used to be the only way to dress for men. Now, men’s Chinos clothes have come a long way. There may be less choice than there is for women, but every season gives us guys more room to move if you look at how much the fashion world is into more giant legs right now.
Here come chinos, the most essential piece of clothing you can own. Chinos can be dressed up or down based on what they are worn with. They are somewhere between how casual denim is and how smart tailoring is. Everyone in modern times has used this versatility: the US military, Hollywood in the 1950s, Ivy League preps, and every casual Friday since the 1990s.
It was built in a way that gives it the best of both worlds’ styles. A fabric called “twill” is used to make chinos. These pants are more durable than wool pants but less rough than denim pants.
Like many other things men wear, trousers have seen their day. When British generals finally realized that bright red outfits didn’t help their troops blend in, they looked for something challenging and neutral to use instead. Following suit, the US military made pants an official uniform in 1902. After their shift, the troops took their pants to civvy street. What used to protect guys on battlefields now does the same for people in offices and skate parks.
A professional stylist named Jenna Riddle has worked with brands like Nike, John Lewis, and Next. She says, “Chinos can fit any style.”
“For a sharp but casual look, wear them with T-shirts, overshirts, bomber jackets, and dress socks on top.” But if you want to look smart, choose a slimmer fit and wear a T-shirt pulled in under a blazer. If the colour goes well with the tone, that’s great, but feel free to mix and match.
Even more so since that means you can’t wear that style to the golf club. “Chinos are older than your grandfather and can easily become old or frail.” Avoid tops too big for you, and stick to casual clothes that fit you well. No gilets, high collars, or rugby shirts.”
The right pair for you also depends on how you look. The best chino pants should let air flow and look good on most body types. They shouldn’t be skin-tight, though. The first ones were made to be portable, and that spirit lives on. With a lot of cotton, they’ll last through a day at the office or halfpipe (remove as needed).
TOPMEN’S CHINOS
One of the best things about a men’s chinos is that it can be worn in many ways. That’s probably why Topman has been able to update this clothing staple with a wide range of cuts, colours, and styles in fashion.
UNIQLO
It’s easy to see why Japanese clothing giant Uniqlo is often called “King of the Basics”—just look at its pants. The company’s simple cotton twill pants are perfect, just like its T-shirts for guys.
DICKIES
You can be sure that Dickies knows a thing or two about pants since it has been in the workwear business since 1918. To keep up with the times, the company has made new tailored types of durable twill pants that can be worn all year.
CARHARTT WIP
Today, Carhartt WIP makes men’s chinos that look great with a blazer, thanks to details like a hidden fly. The company’s past includes making overalls for railroad workers.
MANGO
The Spanish people who work at the fast-fashion store Mango are well-known experts in clothing, as shown by their wide range of chinos. For styles that are on trend, look for features like cropped cuts and side trims that are different from the rest of the garment.
REISS
The British store Reiss has a great selection of suits, but it also has a stylish collection of chinos for when you want to relax. They’re hard to beat at the high end of the high street. They have the same classic shape as tailored pants and are made of solid cotton-rich twill.
J.CREW
Sometimes, getting the right worn-in feel takes months or even years, but not with J.Crew. The American company washes each pair of pants for more than 300 minutes, which makes them the most comfortable from the first day they are worn.
INCOTEX
Incotex, part of the Slowear group, makes the best pants. Most of their pants have pressed lines down the front to keep them looking bright. Get a pair of basic type to wear to weddings and on the weekends.
GAP
Gap’s slacks are already known to people who like well-made pants that aren’t too expensive. Get a pair in every colour because they’re always a good choice for going from casual to dressy.
CLUB MONACO
Club Monaco does a great job of giving classic pieces a modern twist. This is especially clear in the New York brand’s collection of pants, which come in a wide range of colours and a comfortable stretch cotton fabric.
LEVI’S
Even though Levi’s is best known for its jeans, the US brand is also very good at making trousers. You can always find the right size for the basic straight 514s or the slim-fit 511s because they all use the same number system.
DOCKERS
Dockers has become an absolute menswear mainstay in the last few years, making it one of the most recognizable names in work pants. The firm men’s chinos are reassuringly robust, with reinforced stitching that makes them feel surprisingly soft.
MARKS & SPENCER
For almost 100 years, Marks & Spencer has made “smart” clothes. But the word “smart” takes on a whole new meaning when it comes to the high street giant’s chinos. These pants have active waistbands for a better fit and water-resistant Stormwear technology.
GANT
For almost 70 years, Gant has been the go-to brand for preppy clothes, which gives them plenty of time to perfect the men’s chinos. The lifestyle brand makes a wide range of colours, from more basic ones to ones perfect for the Ivy League look.
OFFICINE GENERAL
With a name like Officine Generale, it’s not a surprise that this Parisian label makes some of the best pieces of this war hero. Add it to your closet because it weighs workwear and has clean tailoring lines.
