Men’s chinos are the perfect alternative to jeans—a great, versatile staple in your wardrobe that will go with so many items you already own.
So, when you want getting dressed to be easy, reach for chinos!
They’re so easy to swap in as a substitute in a casual outfit, and they’ll put you leaps and bounds ahead of your boringly bottom’d brethren.
They’re just as “neutral” as denim, and truly super-wearable.
What you’ll find in this guide on how to wear chinos:
- What are chinos?
- How chinos should fit
- Shop the best chinos for guys
- Best colors for chino pants
- What to wear with chino pants
- How to style chino pants
- How to wear your chinos cuffed or rolled
- How to wear khaki shorts
- Best chinos for all body types
- What shoes to wear with chinos
What are chinos?
First thing’s first, what is a chino pant? And are chinos different than khakis?
Well they’re not jeans, and they’re not dress pants – they’re kind of in between.
Typically chinos are made from a woven cotton and come in colors like tan or olive green. They’re a great business casual option, but they can also be great for date night, or casual hangs with your friends.
Let’s also go over some terminology.
“Khakis” aren’t actually pants. Khaki is a color.
When someone says, What should I wear with khakis? Or, What shoes go with khaki pants? what they’re really talking about are chinos.
Think of chinos or chino pants (we’ll use them interchangeably here) as the oxford shirt of pants—versatile enough to be dressed up or dressed down, and always in style.
So, for example:
Khaki chinos are chino pants that come in a tan (khaki) color.
Burgundy chinos are chino pants that come in a burgundy color.
And so on.
Chinos are dresser than five-pocket twill pants, which look pretty much exactly like jeans except for the material.
But! They’re not as dressy as dress pants, which usually have a tab waistband closure and are made of wool, or some other fancier material.
How chino pants should fit
Remember those wide-legged chinos that literally all of us (guys and girls alike) wore growing up? The ones that made us feel like the fourth member of Blink 182 and fit like your favorite pair of JNCO jeans?
Yeah, we’re not wearing those anymore.
Cut and fabric are key to versatility when it comes to chinos.
Look for a chino with a medium rise, not too high or too low. Flat front is a must (aka, no pleats!!), and make sure the seat of the pants fit close but not too tight.
And about your backside? A close-fitting seat is the cure for “dad diaper butt.”
Brands have been built to address this scourge on men’s style; don’t be a victim of it yourself. Us ladies want to see your cute butt as much as you like to look at ours, so a shapeless, sloppy backside is a definite Don’t.
Make sure the leg is tailored close to the body, and if you’re wondering how long your chinos should be, the length falls somewhere between the top of the shoe and the top of the heel.
Stay away from chinos that are too washed or faded, as this makes it harder to dress them up.
The best chinos for guys
Of course, there are so many options out there for chinos for guys that shopping can feel overwhelming.
But don’t despair! Our team narrowed down your options for you.
Shop #SGapproved chino pants picks, below:
J.Crew
Why they’re great: J.Crew is affordable (as affordable as makes sense…you want these things to last through quite a few spin cycles!) and high-quality.
The brand also offers several fit options and come in a range of hues, from neutrals like tan and navy to more interesting colors.
Styles to shop: The 484 slim-fit pant is great for guys with a “typical” build, while guys with bigger legs should opt for the 1040 athletic-fit style.
Bonobos
Why they’re great: Relaxing enough for the weekend, but still appropriate for a corporate casual dress code, Bonobos is a great option when you’re able to spend a bit more money.
Styles to shop: The chinos are available in up to five fits: Skinny, Tailored, Slim, Athletic, and Straight fits. They also offer extended sizes, which is great for a big & tall shopper.
Mizzen+Main
Why they’re great: Tackle the work week in stretchy, performance chinos from Mizzen+Main.
Styles to shop: Designed with 4-way stretch fabric, the lightweight Helmsman chino pant works for the office and date night alike.
Carhartt WIP
Why they’re great: We love Carhartt WIP for its function-meet-fashion vibes.
These heavy twill, straight leg pants make for a high-quality chinos for a cool-yet-casual guy.
Styles to shop: The Sid Pant above. For a modern (aka slim) fit, buy your normal size. For a more classic fit, buy a size larger than your normal size.
Banana Republic
Why they’re great: These pants are a fan favorite of Team SG’s stylists to recommend to clients. Banana Republic has been around so long but still somehow feels like a fresh recommendation. And it’s especially great to suggest a pair of pants you can actually go try on at the mall before buying.
Style to shop: The Rapid Movement chinos, which come in slim, straight, and athletic fits.
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The best colors for chino pants
Thanks to a very traumatic incident in my teens, I have a personal aversion to light, sand-colored chinos.
In the spring of eighth grade, I borrowed a pair of Gap chinos from my friend Kate for graduation rehearsal at the church connected to our parochial school.
These pants were the coolest. Wide-leg, with that useless hammer loop that no middle schooler needs, and basically stone-white.
Sitting in a pew, waiting for my turn to walk up to the altar to fake-receive an invisible diploma from my principal, I suddenly realized I’d gotten my period for the first time.
Not wanting to call attention to the…situation, I yanked my sweater down towards my shoelaces. Then I walked up in front of my entire class, and accepted that invisible piece of paper with a firm handshake and pained smile. Thankfully, a clean pair of jeans sitting in my locker saved the day. Literally.
The whole experience felt (probably?) a lot like getting a boner during a spelling bee—you know it’s not your fault, that your body doesn’t mean to betray you in front of all your pubescent peers…and yet you still want to go home, hug your parents goodbye, change your name, and move out of state, never to return again.
Of course, men almost never ruin a light-colored pair of chinos that way!
So, if you’re all aboard the chino train, then go ahead and scoop a tried and true khaki color. Then, move onto other neutrals like navy, charcoal, and even black.
From there? Don’t be afraid to experiment!
Warm weather is great for lighter shades from salmon to sea breeze blue! The colder months offer up the chance to wear darker shades like eggplant and rust.
What to wear with chinos
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 cardigan. Wear yours with a blazer and Oxford shirt. Go casual in a hoodie and your favorite sneakers.
You’d be hard pressed to come up with an outfit that a great pair of chinos won’t complement. We’ll share some outfit ideas below to hopefully inspire you!
How to style chinos
- Pleated khaki pants are trendy right now, but if you’re investing for the long-term, stick to flat front pants.
- An oxford cloth button down shirt and cool sneakers are always a good combo with chinos.
- If you’re wearing chinos with a dress shirt, be sure to tuck your shirt into your pants.
- Swapping sneakers for loafers or a simple pair of brogues is an easy way to elevate your chinos outfit.
- If you’re going to wear a belt, be sure it goes with your shoes. They don’t have to be the exact same color, but they should be in the same family (say, a maroon braided belt with brown suede chukka boots).
Outfit Idea: Khaki-colored Chinos
SG Says: Easy, peasy, right? The interesting quilting on the vest keeps the whole look from being too oatmeal-y.
Outfit Idea: Chinos as a Suit
SG Says: You can dress up your chinos when wearing the fabric in a full suit! J.Crew makes a great one that’s a bit more on the formal side. Bonobos also sells a cotton suit that’s more rumpled in an intentional way that makes it great for traveling.
Outfit idea: Sand-colored chinos
SG Says: The muted tone of sand-colored chinos makes them the ideal substitution for jeans .
Why? Because you can style them as you would any neutral wardrobe staple. Want to pump up this color even more? Swap in olive green, or even camo print.
There’s something so manly yet dapper about olive green…especially when you see this color paired with cozy basics in cooler weather.
On top, stick to rich, jewel tones (i.e., save the pastels for summer), and pair your pants with sturdy sweaters and your favorite outerwear.
- When going for a bold-colored chino, make your pants the focal point of the outfit by pairing them with neutral pieces or tying the color in small details throughout the look.
- Worried about looking like you’ve got the jump on spring or summer? Keep your winter hues to jewel and earth tones: turquoise, eggplant, forest green, brown, grey, burgundy..
- Unless you’re making a point to color block or go all monochrome, it’s easiest to pair a bright color with classic wardrobe staples like solid henleys or sweaters.
- Add a bit more visual interest to this look by keeping your jacket unbuttoned and henley peeking through.
- Want to make this look work in the office? Swap the henley for a button down and the sneakers for brogues. Then, add a knit tie and mesh metal watch.
How to wear your chinos cuffed or rolled
There are plenty of ways to show off your unique personal style when it comes to wearing chinos. Little tweaks set you apart (in a good way!) from your peers.
A rolled cuff is one such stylish detail. You’ll often see chinos styled this way on models, like the Gap lookbook image above.
1. Fold vertically, then horizontally.
No need to peg your pants, but if you don’t tighten the cuff a bit, you’ll never get the rolls to stay. Take the fabric at the inner ankle between two fingers and fold over itself, about an inch to two inches, depending on how wide the pants are.
2. Roll once or twice, but not more than three times.
We’re going for rolled pants, not capris. This isn’t Europe.
3. Rough it up.
The look should be a little rough, as if you quickly rolled up your pant legs before disembarking the schooner you sailed in to your private island. Casually elegant, you dig? Yes, you have to spend a little time perfecting the “I didn’t spend any time on this” look. But it will get easier.
3. Wear with a casual shoe.
This advice actually stands whether you’re rolling your pants or not. Chinos are not to be worn with an uber-dressy shoe. Personally, we like a nice low-top Chuck for this look, though chukka boots or a boat shoe would look nice, too, depending on the season.
When to roll your chinos
But remember, guys. (1) you’re going for easy breezy, not military precision in your cuff. And (2) don’t cuff them too high: Us ladies want to see ankle, not calf.
How to wear khaki shorts
Chino shorts are a great option for warm weather. Head to this 5 Days, 5 Ways feature for stylish outfit ideas!
Best chinos for different body types
Ultimately, the best chinos for your body type are the ones that you try on and make you feel like a million bucks.
That might mean a little time spent shopping, but we’ve (hopefully!) made things easier with our shopping picks in this article.
How to wear chinos with the right shoes
The image above from Effortless Gent does a great job of showing you the variety of options you have when it comes to shoes to wear with chinos.
With a more dressed-down look, it makes sense to go with a sneaker.
Personally, I’m a sucker for a really bright, colorful low-top with an upturned cuff (like this) which adds a really modern vibe, but you could also go with something a little more on-the-nose, like a lace-up canvas sneaker or a boat shoe.
If you want to dress up your chinos, a loafer or desert boot will do the trick.
Shop #SGapproved shoes to wear with chinos:
Are you caught up on the latest wardrobe essentials?
See how to style your wool dress pants, navy grenadine tie, navy blazer and OCBD shirt.
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