What Are Chinos And How To Wear Chinos: Mens Wardrobe Essentials - Bewakoof Blog (2024)

What are chinos?

A comfort-oriented fabric is used in the making of chinos, meaning it is made from a lightweight cotton twill fabric making it the best choice for everyday use and nailing the off-duty look. From being a regular everyday fixture for millions of men all over the globe to blending seamlessly into a formal dress code, indeed chinos have become a staple of men’s fashion. With a variety of styles, cut, and color at your disposal, every body type and size can find their perfect chino within their price range. You know what are chinos by now, but learning how to wear chinos is a different ball-game altogether.

Style tips for men: How to wear chinos

What are chinos is a question we’ve answered, but the bigger question still remains. How to wear chinos?

There is no particular chinos style that has to be followed but rather it is the versatility of chinos that makes it the perfect choice of attire for multiple dress codes and almost every occasion.

An integral part of men’s wardrobe essentials, chinos can easily blend in a casual attire and at the same time work as a part of the formal ensemble with equal panache. For a more street style casual look, team the well-fitting chinos with some bright colored trainers and a basic tee. You can also switch it up by adding a printed t-shirt in its stead along with a bomber jacket.

For men who want to leave the formal dress pants behind, they have the luxury of opting for chinos as a seamless alternative. You can wear a dark colored suit or blazer with chinos without leaving much to be desired. Pair it with your Oxfords or Derby’s, and you are all set to impress.

How to wear chinos with t-shirts?

The t-shirt becomes a huge staple in the range of men’s wardrobe essentials. There are some useful tips we’d love to share with you about how to wear chinos with t-shirts. T-shirts and chinos both have a universal reputation as a guy’s go-to garment of choice. Pair them together, and you have nailed the uber casual look of the season. You can never go wrong with the combination of a classic white t-shirt, navy bomber jacket and grey chinos outfit as these tried and tested combinations are known to work every time. A good fit is always unbeaten so look for slim fitting chinos as the cut gives you a more flattering silhouette.

There are certain classic looks that never go out of style like the black shirt combination with trousers, or a navy blue chinos outfit when paired with a white t-shirt. With regards to chinos, their versatility has been decoded so that you can wear your regular chinos in a million different ways. So, what are you waiting for?

How to wear chinos with shirt?

While learning about what are chinos, you might come across chinos combinations with t-shirts. The effect of a navy blue or khaki colored chinos with shirts, especially a crisp white one, cannot be underestimated. From a cool collection of shirts to wear with chinos, you can experiment with neutral colored shirts and rolled up sleeves for an understated look. For a more preppy appeal, you can button your shirt all the way up and even add a pullover for a contrasting effect.

Try to combine your favourite pair of chinos with gingham shirts and stylish loafers for a clean and casual statement. Take your pick from reds, greens, blues and a wide range of colours. Gingham shirts are super comfortable to wear in the summers, and for men these can be a go-to fashion staple. Apart from gingham shirts, if you’re looking at a more casual approach, reach out to t-shirts. As we have already discussed, wearing chinos with t-shirts is a super-cool option as well.

Which are the best shoes with chinos?

There’s a lot you can do with chinos, meaning you can pair these with shoes. Here is a bit about how to wear chinos with shoes.

While wearing shoes to wear with chinos, certain things have to be considered in order to create an overall impact. Let’s take a look at some of the shoes and the best way to pair them with chinos.

  • Can chinos with Loafers work for your casual statement?

Loafers or slip-ons are the numero uno informal footwear that every gent swears by. They have a versatile appeal and can balance any outfit with different colored chinos. When going for a casual look, opt for suede loafers with additions like tassels and standout colors. Another color combination that works smoothly is grey chinos with light blue loafers as it can liven up your outfit in an instant.

  • Can chinos with Brogues bring the best out of your outfit?

The intricate detailing of the brogues shines through when you cuff your chinos. Whether you choose Oxford or Derby brogues, go for darker shades like tan or brown and a complementary lighter shade like mustard yellow chinos.

Choose the appropriate brogues according to the outfit and occasion you’re looking for. Brogue shoes with perforations and minimal detailing would be a great pick for formal ensembles. For a more casual approach, wear your brogues with stonewashed jeans and printed t-shirts.

Wear brogues with slim dark blue jeans and a T-shirt and blazer for a stylish, smart casual look.

  • Is wearing chinos with sneakers a good idea?

Reading about what are chinos has been quite something, hasn’t it? But, it’s nothing compared to the scope of learning how to wear them. This time with sneakers!

Trainers/ sneakers and chinos might look like an odd pair on the outset but trust us the resulting look is the perfect blend of the smart casual dress code. Stick to a slim fit and neutral colors in lace-up trainers. Chinos offer a relaxed vibe and complement a well-fitted t-shirt and trainers to a tee (pun intended). Don’t forget to roll up the hem of the slim fit chinos so that you can show off your new kicks in style.

Chinos vs. khakis- which would be a better pick this season?

In a chinos vs trousers debate, it’s hard to close in on the winner! Every fashion-conscious man undoubtedly possesses some of the best classic fashion pieces like white t-shirts, denim jeans, and bomber jackets, etc. in his wardrobe. Some separates, however, have stood the test of time like the super-comfortable chinos and the conventional khakis. A black shirt combination with trouser might just help you make the next, big statement. If you need to understand what color shirt goes with navy blue pants, a red shirt might be a good option to choose with your lowers.

Khakis were first created for the British soldiers stationed in India in the 1800s. These tan colored, loose-fitting garments were a result of dyeing white cotton pants to get an earthy light-brown color. Also, khakis have visible stitching and pockets while the fronts may be pleated or flat.

Chinos, on the other hand, were produced in China, in the 20th century. Chinos have a slick look usually with tapered bottoms and without pockets. The stitching is concealed on these trousers so as to give a finished look to the garment.

Different types of pants for men- so much more to choose from!

Men’s wardrobe essentials can span a larger range of bottoms. Here is a little about the different types of pants that you can add to your wardrobe.

  • Corduroys –Their cozy material is just what you need during the chilly winters and corduroys can be dressed up and down by combining the trouser with shirts, blazers or plain t-shirts as well.
  • Cargo pants – Cargo pants are distinguished by their external pockets with flaps and have a military style. The camouflage print is probably the most identifiable design, but they come in somber colors like olive green and grey as well.
  • Denim Jeans – The denim jean is one of the staples of fashion that has been through several makeovers but still stands tall as the go-to item of clothing for any man. They are casual wear through and through and are universally known for its pairing ability with all sorts of top wear.
  • Drawstrings – They are casual slacks that have drawstrings at the waist and are super comfortable to be worn during exercise, at the beach or home while chilling.
  • Khakis – The loose-fitting khakis have been around for more than a century but have adapted to the changing times and are more streamlined and slick in appearance and fit these days as compared to earlier times.
  • Chinos – Chinos take inspiration from the khakis and are a more tailored version of their tan-colored counterparts. One can opt for casual blazers for men with chinos and have their smart casual look on point.
What Are Chinos And How To Wear Chinos: Mens Wardrobe Essentials - Bewakoof Blog (2024)

FAQs

How do men wear chinos? ›

The pant should gently taper from the knee down and sometimes gather slightly around the ankle. For more formal occasions, try a fit that mimics the look of a dress pant, making sure it sits comfortably on the hip and does not bunch. For a casual style, role the bottom cuff 1.5-2 inches up for a cuffed look.

What is chino in clothing? ›

Chinos are pants or trousers made of lightweight cotton-based materials. Its most known feature is the partially hidden back pocket (or pockets). Chinos come in all forms and styles but what they have in common is the comfortable feeling when wearing them.

Why do people wear chinos? ›

Not only are they comfortable and stylish, but they're also versatile enough to be dressed up or down for a variety of occasions. Whether you're spending the day at the office, out for drinks, or just running errands, chinos are an excellent choice.

What is difference between chinos and trousers? ›

Chinos are usually made of a lightweight twill, or stretch cotton, to ensure breathability and freedom of movement. They are far more practical than suit trousers, which are usually made of fine new wool and have a lining up to the knee to make them more comfortable to wear.

Do girls like chinos on guys? ›

These types of pants are extremely attractive to women, especially if they fit nicely and they're made well, like the chinos you'll find here at Perk. Business casual is for the guy who feels the best when he's in formalwear - but that doesn't mean you have to walk around in a three-piece suit.

What is the difference between khakis and chinos? ›

The first difference between chinos and khakis is that chinos are tapered, while khakis are straight-legged. Another major difference between khakis and chinos is that chinos usually have a flat front, while khakis tend to have a pleated front. Main Differences: Cut: Chinos are tapered, while khakis are straight-legged.

Are khakis same as chinos? ›

Cut: chinos have a tapered leg and fitted cut, while khakis have a straight or pleated leg and a looser fit. Fabric: chinos are made of a light, breathable, and slightly shiny cotton twill, while khakis use a heavy, thick cotton twill.

Do chinos look like jeans? ›

Sure you can swap out jeans for chinos depending on most occasions, depending on the look you're going for. Chinos have a sleeker and polished appearance because of their smooth fabric so they work well for formal events, office environments and even more upscale casual gatherings.

What do Americans call chinos? ›

Chinos or khakis, whatever you call them, there's more to the menswear basic than beige cotton. Named for a US military fabric, the word came into use when American troops stationed in the Philippines started wearing trousers made from cotton twill from China.

Should chinos be slim or straight? ›

For most men, we suggest opting for a slim fit pair of chinos. The thigh area of your chinos should leave enough space for your legs to move freely.

Should chinos hang or fold? ›

"Dress and casual pants should always be hung," says Reynolds. "You can hang them the long way or fold over the hanger."

Are chinos formal or casual? ›

Chinos would generally be considered as casual but more tailored quality chinos do find their way into formal settings without looking out of place. This makes them a very versatile trouser.

Are chinos more dressy than jeans? ›

Chinos have been described as a unique niche between jeans and dress pants and the perfect contemporary business casual look. They have a visible stitching, giving them a more polished, formal, and dressy appearance. Chinos are also very versatile and can easily be dressed up or dressed down.

Do chinos count as slacks? ›

Slacks vs. Chinos: Slacks/dress pants are ever so slightly more formal than chinos. Chinos are a great transition between informal and semi-formal menswear. They can be dressed up very smartly but can't go everywhere dress slacks can.

Should men wear jeans or chinos? ›

While some may argue that chinos exude a sense of refinement compared to jeans the appropriateness ultimately hinges on the event or occasion at hand. While chinos might be favoured for a dinner date or a business casual meeting, jeans would likely be the choice, for something more casual to throw on as everyday wear.

What is the difference between chinos and khakis? ›

The first difference between chinos and khakis is that chinos are tapered, while khakis are straight-legged. Another major difference between khakis and chinos is that chinos usually have a flat front, while khakis tend to have a pleated front. Main Differences: Cut: Chinos are tapered, while khakis are straight-legged.

Are chinos casual or formal? ›

Chinos would generally be considered as casual but more tailored quality chinos do find their way into formal settings without looking out of place. This makes them a very versatile trouser.

Are chinos formal or not? ›

Typically chinos are seen as more casual than dress pants but they can be appropriate for formal settings. It depends on the level of formality and what you pair it with. With a few styling tricks they can be dressed up a bit for formal events.

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