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For this piece on the best chinos for men, I’m changing my profession. No longer a fashion writer and part-time rent boy, I’m now going into the myth-busting business, too.
Myth 1: chinos are as posh as they sound.
Myth 2: they are reserved for the fashionably challenged, chess players, and bad office smart-casual.
Myth 3: beige is the only color for chinos.
And finally, Myth 4: there’s a pair of chinos hidden in a basement in Nevada that can make you grow three inches taller when worn every day for six months.
Why choose chinos? Oft-maligned, men’s chino pants deftly merge the reliability of your favorite jeans with the sophistication of tailored trousers. They feel soft on the skin and can be elevated to borderline formalwear but they can also kick it at the skatepark.
Chinos are easy to care for (generally machine washable), have high durability, can be adjusted to suit your size, and can bring a wide range of colors into your wardrobe palate. This makes them exciting styling prospects (if you’re into that).
Join me as we explore the best chinos for men. As someone who has explored the nuances of men’s fashion, I bring you a firsthand account of the timeless allure and practicality that the best men’s chinos can offer. Liberate your legs from the tyranny of horrible chinos. Read on below.
Key Takeaways
For this piece, I read through the top articles on the best men’s chinos. I trawled back through my wardrobe to hone what worked and what didn’t. I perused e-commerce websites in dingy internet cafés so my precious search trail couldn’t be tracked. And finally, I shaved the list down to the 10 you see on this list.
Overall, the best chinos for men are the Giant Fit Chino Pant by J Crew because they get it. It’s in line with the overarching movement (the super-trend?) towards baggier fits. The chinos are affordable, come in a range of colors easy to style, are positively reviewed, and look f*cking cool.
This isn’t an exhaustive list of positive attributes for men’s chinos pants, though. Throughout this piece, I also considered the stretch of the fabric, how easy it is to care for, and its durability.
I landed on the overall runner-up as the Dickies Skateboarding Regular Fit Twill Pants, because what is further from the office-drab connotations of chinos than skating?
Why it’s great: I have a similar pair of beloved chinos. I found them in my local vintage store a couple of years ago; and last summer, I wore these pants practically every day. I loved them so much I wore them to a black-tie event (I didn’t read the invite properly. Always read the invite.)
They have an ebullient mix of smart and fashionable that makes them appropriate almost all the time and they signify you as a man in the know. This pair of J Crew men’s chino pants are modeled from a 90s wide fit, much like my pants.
But there’s also another reason I’ve suggested this J. Crew pair. The Reddit army suggests these as some of the most durable going. Plus, Noah’s Brendon Babanzien has given J Crew a healthy defibrillation. This pair of giant-fit chinos by J. Crew are some of the best men’s chino pants going. They’re boss.
Who is this for: For those who want a sharp blend of casual and formal. I wear these with a pair of G H Bass Weejuns in brown, a dark chocolate brown long-sleeved thin-gauge knit, and a tote bag. It’s the classic retro-modern urban moocher look. Le Flaneur Moderne.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The wider fit and length of the chinos mean you are going to have to experiment with footwear and consider a little roll-up or two if the footwear needs space to breathe (aesthetically speaking).
Material: 100% Cotton (8.5 oz twill fabric) | Sizes: 28–38 | Colors: 7 | Care: Machine Wash
Why it’s great: I shouldn’t be referencing other experts. But he is a chic gentleman. So, this comes courtesy of @cuffington and he’s regularly slipping Haggar chinos/pants into his ensembles for good reason.
They have a timeless and yet very contemporary cut, a straight drape that’ll cause jaws to drop. These chinos are shocking, not only for the lovely style but the affordability too. They also make for perfect travel chinos.
The spandex adds stretch, and they don’t need to be ironed. Amazon has delivered… quite literally. The affordability of these men’s chino pants presents the opportunity to buy differing shades to give more styling options.
Who is this for: The style-conscious who are on a budget. There’s no two ways about it.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: They’re good quality, but don’t expect lifetime longevity.
Material: 61% Cotton, 37% Polyester, 2% Spandex | Sizes: 32–60 (waist), 29–38 (inseam) | Colors: 15 | Care: Machine Wash
Why it’s great: If anyone ever asks: which is the best brand to work for? I always say Drake’s. I’ve had the pleasure of working with them a few times, and the shoots are always laid back, in chic locations surrounded by lovely people.
Another bonus of the job is that the clothes are effortlessly cool and of exceptional quality. I come away with a shopping list thousands of pounds long. So, anyway, I vouch for the brand, the people behind the brand and the clothes themselves.
Italian cotton is as soft as the gelato the country produces. The straight-leg fit is neither a statement piece of billowy drapery nor is it going to be showing off the size of your beefy cyclist quads anytime soon.
Who is this for: Its more traditional formal elements make these men’s chino pants a diligent halfway house of casual and smart that lends itself well to a versatile range of situations. It’s for those who value the quality and feel of the product and can afford to make that choice.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Yes, some could say the style is generic. But that’d be missing the point.
Material: 100% Cotton | Sizes: 30–40 | Colors: 3 | Care: Machine Wash
Why it’s great: Todd Snyder is having a bit of a moment. The brand headlined Pitti Uomo (Florence) in Januuary 2024 and has boasted over $100 million in annual sales in the last year. Does this mean the brand makes good chinos? Well, just look at these suave khaki men’s chino pants.
But don’t take it from me; it turns out that the angry/helpful folk on Reddit agree too.
Crafted from 100% cotton, these pants have a casual coolness and a sleek profile that’s bang on trend. The cozy, worn-in feel transforms this pair of chinos into a standout style – versatile enough to dress up with loafers or down with sneakers (albeit nice ones).
Who is this for: With thoughtful details like a button fly, two back pockets, and a coin pocket, this is the Bohemian Intellectual’s pair of chinos.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: These are some of the best chinos for men, but the minimal detailing might be too vanilla for some guys.
Material: 100% cotton | Sizes: 28–38 (waist), 30–34 (inseam) | Colors: 7 | Care: Machine Wash Cold
Why it’s great: At one point in my life I was cool. Or, at least, I was trying to convince the world I was cool.
One day, while I was skating around Manhattan with some friends, we happened upon the LES Coleman skatepark, perhaps the Red Bull Drop-In Tour competition was on. Anyway, I saw a load of skaters who were not only talented and flew around the park with the casualness of someone catching a bus, but also, they were wearing chinos?
This moment, ten years previously, changed how I thought about chinos forever. These chinos have reinforced seams, a wrinkle/stain-resistant fabric, and signature Dickies wide tunnel belt loops.
Who is this for: Well, in order of priority. This should be worn by skaters, those emulating the skater look, and literally everyone else. The strength and forgiving shape of these men’s chino pants make them a super useful item for any man’s wardrobe.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Maybe the logo on the rear pocket is a little too casual for you. If so, get out of the skatepark, brother.
Material: 100% twill | Sizes: 26–38 (inseam: 30-34) | Colors: 10
Buying Considerations for The Best Chinos For Men
Size/Cut
To avoid showing a hint of things that you might not want to, focus on getting the right waist and rise size. Try them on in-store if you need to.
Check the reviews online to see what people report of the sizing. Does it run large? Does it run small? Then adjust accordingly. Too large and it’ll slip down, or bunch when you put a belt on. Too small and cameltoes, uncomfortable tightness, and the risk of blowing out the fabric occur.
As for the cut, this is more simple. The straight leg is the most versatile. If you’re building your wardrobe, start here. If you have a good versatile wardrobe already, lean into baggier (and therefore, trendier) fits. If you are a shorter man too, then straight-leg, high-rise, and looser fits can be a good way to visually extend the leg length.
Pleat vs Flat
A pleat gives a traditional aesthetic and builds a little more space into the crotch. This can make the fabric more comfortable when sitting. A flat structure is more “modern”, minimalist, and less decorous. A flat front with stretch fabric will mean that sitting down will be comfortable too – as long as the pants aren’t too small, anyway.
Again, diversity is always the key. If you’ve traditionally gone flat front, or have a few flat front chinos already, mix it up and expand your horizons into pleated trousers.
Fabric
A pair of men’s chino pants traditionally have to be constructed from twill, usually cotton. Twill is a weave that results in a diagonal pattern. The fabric is soft, durable, easy to wash, affordable, easy to dye, and has an easy supply chain to source from.
However, Spandex, elastane, or other synthetics can be added to the mix to add stretch and comfort to the proceedings. Also, synthetics like polyester can help bring costs down further still and let the fabric withstand a lot of washing.
How We Chose
Myriad competing factors exist when choosing chinos for you friendly folk. Here are the five guiding factors I used when choosing the chinos in order of weighting.
- Style: This article is all about how chinos have a bad reputation and how we can guide you into more stylish and fruitful areas. This is why the style has the highest weight here.
- Value: This isn’t just about price. It’s about whether that price is warranted. Does it have a good ratio of price: quality rating? The closest to 0:100 ratio is what I’m aiming for.
- Fit: Again, at this current moment in fashion, looser fits are in. That isn’t to say, wear loose-fitting clothes because everyone else is. It’s to say that done tastefully, this is the best and most stylish aesthetic at the moment. It’s not necessarily trend-worshipping; it just looks good.
- Brand renown: This is more asking: is this brand reliable, historically speaking? And also asking: in recent years, how is this brand perceived and what’s the output like? By opting for proven brands, you mitigate risk.
- Reviews: This is specific to the product itself by looking at reviews on the brand website. But also, checking forums like Reddit to see which brands people are rating for chinos recently.
Why Trust Us?
When it comes to grooming and fashion advice, few voices are as trusted or as experienced as Harvey’s. With a rich history of contributions to FashionBeans, Harvey has cemented his expertise across a wide array of topics, from timeless style advice to the latest trends in men’s grooming.
In terms of the best chinos for men, Harvey put in the massive time and effort that you’d expect in order to bring you these recommendations. Like every other writer here at FashionBeans, he went above and beyond and then some, as he has also done in recommending things as diverse as dive watches and overshirts.
Final Verdict
The best chinos for men are the J Crew Giant Fit Chino Pant. This is because it has the desired style that veers erratically away from the stolid chinos of yore. Separating from the chinos (especially tight-fitting ones or red ones) of the past is integral to this article.
The J Crew pants also score highly on value, fit (as mentioned), and brand renown, and the reviews are glimmering for this relatively new style, though it is admittedly a relaunch from the 90s. Just for good measure, the pants went viral in a positive way on TikTok recently, too. That’s worth something, huh?
FAQ
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The best men’s chinos are found in a shop. Or an e-shop. A joke. The best brands are J Crew, Dickies, Drake’s, Todd Snyder and Haggar. This is odd because these are all the brands referenced in this list. But also it’s worth checking out The Real McCoy’s, ISTO, Brava Fabrics, and Closed. They were all in the running to be featured. Aside from buying new, consider dropping by a few of your local vintage/charity/secondhand stores. Chinos tend to be long-lasting so you can snag some stylish, vintage, and affordable chinos there. I got lucky last year and found the perfect chinos in a vintage store, so there’s hope for you!
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So, it’s worth avoiding anything too tight. Not because it isn’t in fashion but because it doesn’t look that good. Opt for straight-leg, a loose taper, loose fit, or wide. A straight leg will never go out of fashion and is versatile and easy to style. If in doubt, straight-leg baby.
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Were they ever “in fashion”? Perhaps it speaks to my age (30) that I don’t remember a time when they were necessarily “fashionable”. Maybe the drop crotch chinos that The Wanted used to wear? But they were heinous and I did wear them. That sort of posh-boy-street-clubber vibe of the early 2010s. Disgusting. My point is, that they never were in fashion, aren’t in fashion, and won’t be in fashion. They transcend trends because they’re just versatile and stylish items in and of themselves. However, the chino-verse is complex, and different styles within the chino category may go in and out of the penumbra of trend. Anything skinny, slim, or athletic tapered is a faux pas at the moment. Opt for straight, classic, or giant to remain relevant and not awful.
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100% organic or regeneratively grown cotton is the best for chinos. This offsets some of the impact of buying new. Plus, the cotton twill itself should be tough, long-lasting, color-holding, easy to care for and soft to wear. Spandex and elastane can be added in for comfort and stretch. But know this: “Flexible fabric is typically inverse to long-lasting.” This is a bit of advice taken from Reddit and it’s important to keep in mind.
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Harvey James is a freelance journalist, short story writer, and (very) occasional model. When he’s not writing features for the likes of HIGHSNOBIETY, WIRED, VICE, or British GQ loosely around tech/fashion/culture, he’s out being active, wholesome, and social. His current obsession is being bad at squash.
