What Are Chinos and How Men Should Wear Them? - Next Luxury (2024)

FAQs

What are men chinos? ›

Men's chinos are smart-casual cotton twill trousers, with some elastane worked into the weave (for extra stretch). Unlike suit pants, they don't have a pleat running down the front, and they usually come with jetted back pockets. Chinos are your versatile wear-them-anywhere kind of pants.

The chino is a stylish combination of smart trousers and casual pants in a comfortable cotton blend, making it the most practical and versatile trouser options in any man's wardrobe. Compared to jeans, they are a neater option that is perfect for a smart casual occasion.

Chino is a durable cotton fabric which uses a steep twill construction, and is mercerized for a slight sheen. Chino has a storied past of being used for military uniforms for many years. It is one of the only fabric constructions that can withstand the high performance standards and rigors of military wear.

Chino are an extremely versatile pair of trousers that look extremely chic and classy. They are a staple in every man's wardrobe and are preferred for their toned-down feel and cheap cost besides being a hundred percent cotton.

What are Chinos? Chino pants are usually lightweight, cotton blended pants that come in a wide array of colors and are woven in a twill weave. Chino by definition is a style of pant which may come in any variety of colors.

Chino pants have a more tailored and streamline look than other pants. They are unlike khaki pants in that they are never pleated and come in a wider variety of colors. Chinos also do not have extra seams like other pants. The pockets are very small and are internal as opposed to large externally shown pockets.

Chinos are a great choice for any man wanting to look stylish, yet remain as comfortable as possible. Whether you're wearing chinos to work or on a casual night out, they are a versatile and timeless piece of clothing that every man should have in his wardrobe.

Anyone who owns a pair knows that chinos are just as suitable for the office as they are for after-work events – and most men love them for the weekends, too. After all, they are elegant enough for a business-casual dress code and yet so casual that they are perfect for a weekend outing as well.

Chinos are both casual and elegant

Things get a little more casual with a timeless round-collar jumper, under which you wear a shark-collar shirt. Chinos also offer a casual smart alternative to classic suit looks at weddings.

Chinos are for an everyday elevated style. They can be worn for both business, casual and formal events. We love chinos because their comfort is unrivalled. With endless amounts of versatility and styling options, chinos are a must-have clothing staple needed for every man's wardrobe.

Are chinos formal wear? ›

Chinos are the prime example of business casual, while formal trousers are elegant and classy. A chino can be combined with sneakers as well as with boots and oxford shoes. Formal trousers, on the other hand, only look truly sharp when worn with lace-up shoes or loafers.

Chinos are a good option as well. Of course, the question is, does this clothing style look attractive to women? Fortunately, the answer is yes. While it's not as sexy as some casual outfits we've mentioned, some women love the smart casual style because it makes the man look more put together.

Chinos are another versatile piece that you can easily plug into your everyday wardrobe. Women love them because they look more put together than your average jeans or khakis — are you starting to sense a theme here? Just like a suit, proper fit is essential.

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.

Your goal should be to get your chino pants to fit with a slim-straight look - straight from the waist down to your shoes. You should be able to see the silhouette of your legs.

It's true that chinos are by no means a formal type of pants. However, they are more formal than jeans. And thus, if you're looking for semi-formal or business casual pants, stick with custom chinos.

Chinos work well with a grey or navy t-shirt and white leather sneakers. When wearing a t-shirt with chinos, avoid shoes like monkstraps or other dress shoes. Stick to sneakers or boat shoes as your t-shirt indicates a casual look so you need to dress down your footwear too.

As you now know, chino pants are crafted from a stretchable cotton-twill fabric. Sometimes, chinos are made from a synthetic stretchy fiber blended with cotton for enhanced stretch and breathability. Khaki pants, on the other hand, are crafted from a slightly heavier, less breathable cotton fabric.

People are looking for alternatives and if you select a Chino instead of a jeans, you're going to stand out more. It's a somewhat discerning choice. And not only that: Chinos just look more elegant and refined than jeans, but at the same time maintain a good balance. It's a style that's more contemporary.

We've all heard both terms—“khakis” and “chinos”—used interchangeably to describe the same pants.

Why do Americans wear chinos? ›

Chinos have their origins in warfare, as they (and their older sibling, the similar yet distinct khakis) were part of military uniforms for generations. They became American army wear during the Spanish-American War.

Like jeans, you can dress chinos up, or dress them down.

The beauty of a great pair of chinos is that they go with literally everything. Get preppy with a white dress shirt, navy blazer, and tie. Go for that simple Scandinavian aesthetic with a pocket tee and fresh sneakers.

Don't Follow Suit

You don't always have to wear a suit to a wedding. A pair of smart chinos and a blazer is perfectly suitable. Dress up this smart casual ensemble with a silk bow tie worn with a crisp white cotton shirt.

Chinos serve as a base for any smart casual outfit and look great in many different settings. If you're going for an interview and the employer requests smart casual clothing, wear chinos over jeans to present a more professional appearance.

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).

A 50+ year old man should dress casually in slim-straight jeans or chinos, solid color tees, polos or untucked button up shirts, and tasteful outerwear (like a Harrington jacket, leather jacket or bomber). For shoes, keep it simple with leather boots, casual loafers, or plain leather or suede sneakers .

Chinos are dressier than jeans but not as formal as dress trousers; fitted chinos look better on mature men than relaxed styles. Match them up with sweaters or collared shirts for effortless style or take it up a level and add a button-down shirt with a vest or cardigan as a layering piece.

The versatility and elegance of chinos pair easily with almost any type of shoe. You can wear chinos with classic sneakers, trainers, loafers, boat shoes, Chelsea boots, chukka boots, sandals, and more styles.

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.

One of the toughest things to compare is the durability of chinos vs. jeans. Both are some of the most durable, high-quality pants on the market. This is due to the twill weave in both chinos and jeans, which allows the pants to experience a lot of friction and wear before beginning to unravel.

Are chinos the same as suit pants? ›

Chino pants are not dress pants nor trousers. While typically dress pants and trousers are made of wool and need to be dry cleaned, chinos are a middle ground between formal and casual attire. They are suitable for anything business casual or less casual, but not for formal situations where a suit may be required.

Perfect for the office, chinos can be styled with almost anything to give an elevated desired look. Pair with a knit for the perfect business casual outfit for the office or dress them up with a long sleeve shirt and a sports jacket for a more formal occasion, like an engagement party or celebratory event.

The following items of clothing are suitable in most interview situations: Chinos. Smart shirt – white if you're wearing it with a tie or a bold colour if not. A suitable tie – either one colour or a simple pattern, nothing novelty.

With chinos, one to two cuffs is a classic look. In the summer I roll my cuff twice to show some ankle (which is a great hack if you're on the shorter side because a narrow cuff rolled two or three times with a little skin showing will make you look taller). Roll all your pants once or twice with a 1.5” cuff.

Dressier collared shirts pair well with dress pants or jeans. Choose some shirts that fit you well without looking baggy or bunched up. You can rock a short-sleeved button-up without an undershirt with some shorts and slip-on shoes in the warmer months.

According to research by the University of Rochester, women find men wearing the colour red more sexually attractive than other colours. The colour's charm ultimately lies in its ability to make men appear more powerful.

Research shows that humor and kindness are also characteristics which women find attractive in a man. Clear skin and masculine features are often cited as two physical characteristics which women find desirable in men.

Let's start with pants. Seven is a good number (excluding track pants, pajamas and shorts). Three pairs of jeans — dark blue, light blue and black or grey. Two pairs of chinos — one beige, one another shade.

Sneakers are almost always a good choice, especially with chinos. We recommend you stick with white or black sneakers, as these are the most versatile colors. For a casual look, you can simply combine your chinos with a sweatshirt or a T-shirt and combine it with a jacket on top.

Black shoes would arguably be too formal of a choice for chinos, so opt instead for a dark brown or burgundy oxford to really make your navy or grey trousers look the business. Chinos paired with a checked or striped shirt would benefit greatly from a classic pair of brogues – few outfits wouldn't.

How is chinos different from pants? ›

Chino pants have a more tailored and streamline look than other pants. They are unlike khaki pants in that they are never pleated and come in a wider variety of colors. Chinos also do not have extra seams like other pants. The pockets are very small and are internal as opposed to large externally shown pockets.

When comparing chinos to dress pants, you'll notice that dress pants have a very prominent center crease in them, and they also have pleats. Chinos, on the other hand, do not have pleats or creases. They are flat all the way around the leg. And, dress pants have a distinct sheen to them.

The biggest difference between chinos and jeans is the material from which they're made. Chinos are made from chino cloth and jeans are made from denim. Both materials are essentially cotton; however, chinos are made from chino cotton and jeans are made from cotton denim.

As you now know, chino pants are crafted from a stretchable cotton-twill fabric. Sometimes, chinos are made from a synthetic stretchy fiber blended with cotton for enhanced stretch and breathability. Khaki pants, on the other hand, are crafted from a slightly heavier, less breathable cotton fabric.

Chino pants are not dress pants nor trousers. While typically dress pants and trousers are made of wool and need to be dry cleaned, chinos are a middle ground between formal and casual attire. They are suitable for anything business casual or less casual, but not for formal situations where a suit may be required.

Anyone who owns a pair knows that chinos are just as suitable for the office as they are for after-work events – and most men love them for the weekends, too. After all, they are elegant enough for a business-casual dress code and yet so casual that they are perfect for a weekend outing as well.

Don't Follow Suit

You don't always have to wear a suit to a wedding. A pair of smart chinos and a blazer is perfectly suitable. Dress up this smart casual ensemble with a silk bow tie worn with a crisp white cotton shirt.

Here's a quick summary on how Chinos should fit: Classic and slim fit are the two main options (avoid skinny fit) The slim fit is recommended: it's dynamic and modern. A belt isn't necessarily needed with a good fit around the waist.

We've all heard both terms—“khakis” and “chinos”—used interchangeably to describe the same pants.

While chinos are not considered formal business wear, they are most definitely business casual. How casual depends on you and your office, but if you build your wardrobe around chinos and button-downs or polos, you're sure to be appropriately dressed.

Do chinos have back pockets? ›

Chinos and dress pants have no more than four pockets (two front and two rear), and they are generally discreet, whereas the pockets on 5-pocket pants tend to be a little more visible.