Where To Buy Chinos
When it comes to elegant minimalism infused with elegance, sans designer price tags, Reiss really ought to be your first port of call. Giving the humble trouser a contemporary update, these Pitch chinos are primed for everyday wear thanks to their comfortable cotton-blend fabrication and versatile steely blue hue. 78. reiss.com
where to buy chinos
London-born label Raey specialises in creating seasonless luxury pieces with a strong focus on its ecological approach to design. Case in point: these organic-cotton twill chinos are certain to outlast fickle trend cycles with their noir black hue and soft silhouette. 225. At matchesfashion.com
Theory's twill Raffi chinos have become a brand staple for good reason. Designed with a slim fit that flows from hip to ankle, these jet-black, five-pocket trousers are the foundational piece that your wardrobe didn't know it was missing. 175. theory.com
A fitted pair of chinos is all fun and games until it comes to sitting down at your desk for a whole day, and then in no time that once-flattering fit is digging, dragging and snatching in all the wrong spots. Not to fear though, Cos' cotton-twill pair is cut for a relaxed fit at the waist and a straight leg that narrows towards the ankle, finishing in that sleek look sans the pesky tugs and nags. Result. 69. cos.com
As the grand daddy of preppy style, Polo Ralph Lauren epitomises quintessential Ivy League vibes with its timeless East Coast aesthetic. Cut with deep pleats that nod to the brand's typical collegiate vibe as well as trad tailoring convention, these wide-leg chinos embody a modernised image of what we've come to expect from the brand. 160. At matchesfashion.com
Not quite denim, but also not not denim, these chinos from Moss are delivered in an admiral-blue hue for a sharp alternative to your everyday jeans. Cut for a tailored fit before softening into a tapered ankle, this pair takes both casual and more formal dress codes in its stride. 59.95. moss.co.uk
One of Marks & Spencer's in-house clothing brands, Autograph adds some subtle edge to your off-duty style with these loose-legged chinos. Given an inky navy hue, this pair is cinched with a single pleat to bring a smart touch to seasonal ensembles. 45. marksandspencer.com
Not your grandad's chinos, this pair from Carhartt WIP brings the brand's infamously utilitarian twist to the trad style with their baggy fit and rich forest green hue. For styling? We say, lean into their louche vibe with a rich mohair jumper and low-top trainers. 100. At asos.com
If you want to secure yourself a pair of chinos that'll never feel casual or scrappy, we have two words for you: Loro Piana. A pin-up of suave, discerning style, the brand takes no shortcuts in creating pieces that'll last a lifetime. These partially lined chinos may therefore lend themselves well to easy-going, seemingly thrown-together 'fits, but they have all the refinement of a fine Italian suit. 560. At mytheresa.com
An expression of authentic, pure cotton, Uniqlo's chinos are just about as classic as it's possible to get. Cut for a regular fit with a warm beige hue, when one thinks of chinos, one pictures this pair. 34.90. uniqlo.com
With an enticing mocha brown hue, tailored leg, and a dash of British charm thrown in for good measure, these chinos are true to Charles Tyrwhitt's enduringly elegant design mode and identity. 79.95. charlestyrwhitt.com
Sharing a pale brown hue with the perfect mushroom soup (just us?), these straight-leg chinos from Abercrombie are sure to be a much-reached-for element of your winter wardrobe. Done out in a stretchy cotton blend with breathable and moisture-wicking properties, these chinos really can't put a foot wrong. 60. abercrombie.com
Just your average navy chinos? Look again. Reimagined in corduroy, Arket's take on the chino is distinctly wintery, inviting a rich texture where the ribbed construction traps light for a richer, inkier hue. 69. arket.com
King & Tuckfield designs with heritage at its core, looking back to a time when styles were timeless and longevity was central to the creative process. Crafted from a lightweight blend of cotton and linen, these vintage-look chinos take notes from old-school styles with their slim leg and pleated fronts. Think Don Draper on vacation. 326. At mytheresa.com
For a seasonless approach to the humble chino trouser, look no further than menswear's gem of the high-street, Cos. Ready to wear no matter the weather, these versatile tapered chinos transcend the demands of the ever-fickle British forecast thanks to their breathable yet insulating stretch-cotton and evergreen navy blue hue. 69. cosstores.com
Indochino has expanded from its excellent made-to-measure suits to also include custom 100% cotton chinos. If you live near an Indochino showroom, you can get measured up in person and feel the fabrics for your new custom-made chino pants.
The word chinos is a corrupted form the Spanish word for Chinese. American soldiers popularized the use of the word chinos to describe the pants they received from China around the turn of the 20th Century.
Technically, khaki refers to a specific medium-brown color of pants. (Khaki means dusty in Urdu.) However, the word khakis has come to refer generically to business casual trousers and is often used interchangeably with the word chinos.
While I have spent a lot of time searching for alternatives to J. Crew, the company makes some of the absolute best chinos for men. The silhouette of their trousers is sleek and their chinos are professional enough to be worn to the office.
Their chinos come in a wide variety of fits including skinny, slim, straight, athletic, relaxed and drawstring, Plus J. Crew experiments with a nice variety of seasonal colors and fabrics, giving you even more variety.
I have since come around. After visiting two more Guideshops to get a better feel for how their chinos fit, and ordering a slew of chinos to try on at home, I kept a pair of summer-appropriate light blue chinos, and have since bought a couple of other pairs.
For more details and options for workleisure chinos made from technical fabrics, check out my in-depth guide to performance fabrics and power casual clothing for men and women and separate post on athleisure alternatives to lululemon.
As Men's Health's Deputy Editor, Commerce, Christian Gollayan oversees all shopping content on menshealth.com. He relocated back to New York by way of Portland, where he was the Associate Managing Editor at TheManual.com. Christian's work has also been featured in InStyle, Food & Wine, the New York Post, and Tatler Asia.
Known for its clean-cut basics and punchy yet tasteful branding, AMI is an excellent first port of call for a pair of mid- to upper-range chinos. Sleek, stylish and the perfect accompaniment to a pair of crisp white leather sneakers.
I've come to find out that a lot of men don't know how to shop for pants, or what the best types of pants are for dudes. Obviously, there are many choices out there, but if you're someone who's always reaching for jeans and wants a comfortable cotton option that you can wear to literally any event or occasion, believe me when I tell you that chinos are the move.
They literally cost as much as a fancy cocktail (with tip). These Cigarette Fit chinos from ASOS feature belt loops, pleat details, side pockets, and a relaxed, tapered fit. With a short, cropped leg, these are perfect for showing off some skin during the warmer months, a.k.a. Ankle Season.
Like the parka jacket, field jacket and many other military classics, the end of World War II saw a massive amount of chinos hit Army Surplus stores in the US, which were a cheap hunting ground for students. They soon became popular on campuses across the US but notably on the East Coast where Ivy League students slid them straight into their early preppy aesthetic.
In recent years, looser trouser styles like carpenter and cargo pants have been popular as dress codes continue to loosen up post pandemic. Likewise, chinos have become more accommodating, with a greater number of loose-fit designs on offer. Undoubtedly comfortable, these styles usually (but not always) lean casual and the wider drape gives a distinctive silhouette, especially with chinos cut from heavier twill.
After Ivy League students co-opted the style, chinos became available in a much wider spectrum of colours. Black, navy, grey and brown are all popular and easy to wear to this day, while certain members of the upper classes have taken red or mustard chinos to heart.
So, its chinos are as you would expect: superb. Made in northern Italy from a smooth premium cotton twill with 3% elastane for added comfort, they will adapt to your shape from the very first wear, while the classic mid-rise and slightly tapered fit means they work for all body types.
The Japanese retailer arguably does everyday essentials better and cheaper than pretty much anyone else, and so it goes with its chinos. For the price of four or five cocktails in a metropolitan city, you can pick up a fresh pair of classic chinos in a slim or regular fit, and in 100% cotton or stretch cotton.
NN07 probably has the best selection of chinos on the upper end of the market, with a total of 11 different fits to choose from, all constructed from high-quality cotton and organic cotton, and available in a predictably Scandi colour palette ranging from classic khaki to black via green, brown and grey. 041b061a72