How should chinos fit? The smart-casual trousers, Chinos are a simple staple for any man’s wardrobe. Pulling off the chino look is easy, as long as you know what size and length your need. Let us take you through how to fit and style your chinos properly, no matter the occasion.
Chinos are available in numerous amounts of styles, colours and cuts – which can make things a little difficult when it comes to picking your own pair. It can be tempting to make a smart guess when selecting your size, but this is more complicated than debating whether you need a t-shirt in a medium or a large, and we recommend you recruit a bit of help to measure your legs and waist properly before you buy your chinos. Either from a spouse or (arguably better) a tailor.
It is important chinos fit properly for two reasons. One: to ensure you don’t look like an idiot. And two: due to chinos having a military background. Inspired by khakis, Chinos became a staple of the American army. This background as a uniform means they are considered much smarter than jeans, so they need to fit you perfectly.
Here is our simple guide on how your chinos should fit, from your waist to your thighs and lastly, the general length.
Which chinos for which occasion?
Generally, chinos are considered smart casual, but if you’re not sure if you’ve gone too smart (or not smart enough) with your trousers, a good trick is to check your pockets.
Flat pockets on the back are considered more casual. Also, the thicker/heavier the material of your chinos, the more casual they are.
Do chinos stretch like jeans around the waist?
Short answer: no. Typically chinos shouldn’t stretch around your waist. You want the chinos to fit perfectly around your waist without falling down and needing a belt. You also don’t want the waist to be too tight, making the chinos uncomfortable. If you need to go for a bigger size to get the right length then a belt is acceptable. Or, better yet, get a tailor to have the waist taken in. Chinos should be snug but comfortable around your waist, with no fear of them dropping down even without a belt.
For chinos, the waist will sit lower than suit pants but should hit exactly where the waist of your jeans should be (between the upper and mid-hip bone area).
Should chinos be tight around my thighs?
The thighs don’t want to fit too tight, you don’t want to feel like it’s pulling at the knees when you walk or bend down. You should be able to pinch a minimum of 1 inch of fabric but no more than 1.5 inches on either side of your thigh.
How long should my chinos be?
The length of your chinos depends on how you plan on wearing them. We have a whole blog here on how long you need your trousers to be, so check it out! The basics are, if you’re thinking of going sockless with your chinos, then go for a slight break. Doing this enables you to vary your look easier as you can just roll and unroll the bottoms as you please.
If you’re going to roll your chinos, only roll them once so they end at your ankles – otherwise, you’ll look like you’re going for a paddle in the sea. If you’re not rolling the ends, then your chinos should typically hit the top of your shoes.
Now you know how your chinos should fit. You can learn how to style your picks here.
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FAQs
The seat of your chinos should lightly hug your butt without being either too tight or too baggy. If it feels like you'll split your pants when you sit or bend down, the chinos are too tight. If it looks really saggy in the butt, you should probably try a different fit or brand.
How are chinos supposed to fit? ›
The seat of your chinos should lightly hug your butt without being either too tight or too baggy. If it feels like you'll split your pants when you sit or bend down, the chinos are too tight. If it looks really saggy in the butt, you should probably try a different fit or brand.
Should chinos be slim or straight? ›
Chinos are a versatile clothing item that should fit snugly around your waist and slightly hug your legs. You don't want a fit that's too tight, but you don't want one that's too loose either. For most men, we suggest opting for a slim fit pair of chinos.
How much should chinos break? ›
We recommend your chinos end right where your shoe meets your ankle. You want to avoid chinos that are “stacking,” which means the bottom fabric of your chinos will start piling on top of itself. This is what's referred to as the “break” in your pants.
Will chinos stretch over time? ›
For stretch chinos, obviously they do stretch! What is this? But for regular chinos it's common, like other new bottoms, to stretch slightly over time.
Are chinos supposed to be rolled up? ›
Only roll them once or twice up on the hem so they end at the ankle. Anything else looks like you're going wading. And If you're wearing them unrolled, the hem should hit the top of your shoes. So, that's the SANVT view on how a Chino should fit.
How do I know my chino size? ›
Chinos contain spandex, so they will stretch slightly during the first few wears. You should therefore feel well supported during the first fitting. Choose the same size as your usual pants to wear it fitted. Between two sizes, take a size up.
Do chinos sit higher than jeans? ›
Another thing to keep in mind when sizing your measurements is that chino pants sit a bit higher up than your jeans will. you'll want to take your measurements about 1-2″ below your belly button.
Do chinos shrink in the wash? ›
With time and wear, your chinos may either shrink or stretch. The shrinking happens after many wash and dry cycles. Hot water or high heat is the cause. Your chinos can also adapt to your body over time.
Should chinos have a crease down the front? ›
The answer is down to personal preference, chinos traditionally do not have a crease down the front.
The coarser cottons used in workwear chinos, like these, start off stiff but soften and soften with every wash.
How many pairs of chinos should a man own? ›
The amount of men's casual chinos in your closet is completely up to you, but you can rest assured that you don't need to go overboard buying a ton of pairs in fear that you'll go through them quickly. Since these pants are so durable, having a few pairs of them in classic colors like navy blue, black, khaki, etc.
Is it okay to cuff chinos? ›
Cuffed chinos do bring a sense of completion and can add a layer of sophistication to the overall look. What is this? Uncuffed chinos, on the other hand, present a cleaner silhouette. The choice between the two often comes down to personal preference and the context of the occasion.
Are chinos supposed to be baggy? ›
The key to pulling off a chino pant is all in the colour and fit. The pant style should never be too long or too baggy, this is so the pant can elongate the leg and show some shape. The perfect chino fit should sit above the hips at the natural waist and be fitted around the knee and hips without being tight.
Should chinos be snug? ›
A good rule of thumb is that there should be enough room to slide one or two fingers between the waistband and your waist. Avoid chinos that are too tight, as they can be restrictive and cause discomfort, or too loose, as they can appear sloppy and may sag.
How often should you wash chinos? ›
How often to wash chinos. . Even if you're wearing your chinos frequently, you should only need to wash your chinos once every few months. If they become dirty, you can wash them again, but chinos don't absorb sweat like a t-shirt would so regular washing isn't needed.
Should chinos have a crease? ›
Chinos may require ironing, but they should be pressed flat rather than have a crease down the front. A pair of grey flannels or suit trousers, however, deserve to have a crease that is sharp enough to take your leg off at the knee, so press them after dry cleaning.
Should chinos be cuffed? ›
Cuffed chinos do bring a sense of completion and can add a layer of sophistication to the overall look. What is this? Uncuffed chinos, on the other hand, present a cleaner silhouette. The choice between the two often comes down to personal preference and the context of the occasion.
