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The Best Chinos for Men: 8 Up-to-Date Options That Go Beyond the Office

Best Chinos for Men
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Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we may earn a commission from our partnersโ€™ links. This content is created by TIME Stamped, under TIMEโ€™s direction and produced in accordance with TIMEโ€™s editorial guidelines and overseen by TIMEโ€™s editorial staff. Learn more about it.

updated: July 8, 2024
edited by Amber Katz

You might associate chinos as the โ€œoffice casualโ€ basic you buy without a lot of thought, or have flashbacks to your earlier years when your parents would bestow a pair to wear for special occasions. However, thereโ€™s a good reason to think about these casual pants, which have gotten a bit of a makeover in recent years. Today, thereโ€™s a whole crop of stylish (and in some cases, indeed, cropped) chinos out there. Alongside a panel of style experts, weโ€™ve compiled our picks for the best chinos for men, whatever the occasion, budget, or body type.

Our picks for the best chinos for men

Best budget chinos: ASOS Classic Rigid Lightweight Chinos

Best budget chinos
ASOS Classic Rigid Lightweight Chinos

ASOS Classic Rigid Lightweight Chinos

โ€œWhen looking for stylish, yet budget-conscious chinos, brands such as ASOS provide fantastic budget offerings, allowing you to stay trendy without breaking the bank,โ€ says celebrity business strategist, stylist, and creator Nina Vargas. Our preferred option is this pair of classic olive green pants that can be dressed up or down as appropriate.

Specifications:

  • Size range: W26, L30-W38, L34
  • Cut: Regular rise, tapered fit
  • Fabric: 97% cotton, 3% spandex
  • Price on publish: $36

What we like:

  • Classic fit
  • Inexpensive

What we donโ€™t like:

  • Only one color in this style, but they have multiple other styles and fits in different colors

Best trendy menโ€™s chinos: AllSaints Walde Mid-Rise Skinny Chino Pants

Best trendy menโ€™s chinos
Walde Mid-Rise Skinny Chino Pants

Walde Mid-Rise Skinny Chino Pants

With the right cut, chinos can look every bit as modern as the rest of your wardrobe. โ€œFor fashion-forward options in men's chinos, explore brands like AllSaints,โ€ says Vargas. โ€œThese styles provide modern cuts featuring unique details that make an eye-catching fashion statement, as well as contemporary designs to complete a trendy ensemble.โ€

Specifications:

  • Size range: 28W-36W
  • Cut: Mid rise, regular leg
  • Fabric: 98% cotton, 2% elastane
  • Price on publish: $169

What we like:

  • Enough stretch to be comfortable
  • Stylish silhouette

What we donโ€™t like:

  • All five color options are very subdued

Best stretch chinos: Dockers Ultimate Chinos

Best stretch chinos
Dockers Ultimate Chinos - Slim Fit - Men's - Grey 28 x 30

Dockers Ultimate Chinos - Slim Fit - Men's - Grey 28 x 30

24% offSave $16

If youโ€™re adding chinos to your closet for the first time, you might want to look for something with a little stretch, especially if youโ€™re transitioning from wearing mostly sweatpants or joggers. โ€œLook for stretch chinos from Dockersโ€”their fabrics incorporate stretch fibers for ease of movement and added comfort throughout your day,โ€ says Vargas. Their Ultimate line features Dockersโ€™ Smart 360 Flex material and a flexible waistband, so even the staunchest of sweatpants lovers will feel at home.

Specifications:

  • Size range: 28W, 29L-40W, 36L
  • Cut: Slim
  • Fabric: 95% cotton, 5% elastane
  • Price on publish: $49.99

What we like:

  • Comfortable
  • Includes hidden security pocket with concealed zip

What we donโ€™t like:

  • Some customer reviews complain that sizing is inconsistent

Best chinos for men with big thighs: Bonobos Stretch Washed Chino 2.0

Best chinos for men with big thighs
Stretch Washed Chino 2.0

Stretch Washed Chino 2.0

โ€œBonobos offers five different fits in their chinos, so thereโ€™s one that will work for everyone,โ€ says fashion expert and retail executive Todd Hanshaw. For guys rockinโ€™ thighs, we suggest choosing the Athletic fit. โ€œBonobosโ€™ Athletic fit is an excellent choice for men with bigger thighs,โ€ says Vargas. โ€œThese pants offer generous coverage while still maintaining tailored details to ensure a flattering, comfortable, and effortless fit.โ€ Shopping tip: For an even better fit, consider whatโ€™s underneath. Our list of the best menโ€™s underwear has options for any concern.

Specifications:

  • Size range: 28W-46W
  • Cut: Athletic
  • Fabric: 92% cotton, 8% spandex
  • Price on publish: $99

What we like:

  • Five different fits
  • Wrinkle-resistant
  • Secure zip pocket

What we donโ€™t like:

  • A minority of customer reviews complain about inconsistent sizing

Most comfortable menโ€™s chinos: Polo Ralph Lauren Stretch Chino Pants

Most comfortable menโ€™s chinos
Stretch Chino Pant โ€“ All Fits

Stretch Chino Pant โ€“ All Fits

โ€œRalph Lauren makes a great chinoโ€”itโ€™s been a basic to his business since the beginning,โ€ says Hanshaw. โ€œTheyโ€™re always comfortable and always great.โ€ These chinos come in a wide selection of sizes and colors, as well as the option of slim or straight cut (we opted for slim for this listing), so provided youโ€™re not looking for anything too bright or eye-catching, you can almost certainly find something here that works for you.

Specifications:

  • Size range: 28W, 29L-44W, 39L
  • Cut: Slim
  • Fabric: Cotton, elastane
  • Price on publish: $79.99 or $138, depending on color choice

What we like:

  • 13 color options
  • Soft

What we donโ€™t like:

  • Most of the color options are quite subdued

Best lightweight chinos: Uniqlo Slim-Fit Chino Pants

Best lightweight chinos
Men's Slim Chino Pants | Beige | 33 inch | UNIQLO US

Men's Slim Chino Pants | Beige | 33 inch | UNIQLO US

โ€œUniqlo specialize in lightweight chinos designed specifically to keep you cool in warmer conditions, featuring cotton or linen blend fabric for breathability and optimal cooling properties,โ€ says Vargas. Weโ€™re going with Uniqloโ€™s Slim-Fit chinos, made from soft Supima cotton and featuring tapered legs with dress trouser-style side seamsโ€”smart enough to wear for a formal occasion, comfortable enough to feel good doing it. Shopping tip: Uniqlo is one of the most affordable shops to make our list of the best menโ€™s clothing brands.

Specifications:

  • Size range: 27W-40W
  • Cut: Slim
  • Fabric: 97% cotton, 3% spandex
  • Price on publish: $49.90

What we like:

  • Soft
  • Good shape

What we donโ€™t like:

  • All six color options are fairly basic

Best cropped chinos: ASOS Skinny Cropped Chinos

Best cropped chinos
ASOS Skinny Cropped Chinos

ASOS Skinny Cropped Chinos

โ€œASOS offer cropped chinos that feature shorter inseam length, providing trendy yet modern style for casual or semi-formal events,โ€ says Vargas. We particularly like their skinny offeringโ€”yes, skinny jeans are already a thing of the past, but paired with the cropped length, these chinos will still look great for a semi-smart summer occasion.

Specifications:

  • Size range: W26, L30-W38, L34
  • Cut: Skinny
  • Fabric: 97% cotton, 3% spandex
  • Price on publish: $15

What we like:

  • Inexpensive

What we donโ€™t like:

  • Currently only one color option

Best chino shorts: J.Crew Stretch Chino Shorts

Best chino shorts
J.Crew Stretch Chino Shorts

J.Crew Stretch Chino Shorts

โ€œBrands like J.Crew are known for crafting stylish, yet high quality chino shorts, ideal for summer casual outings,โ€ says Vargas. โ€œLook for options that hit above the knee while providing comfortโ€”these could make the ideal summer shorts!โ€ With that in mind, weโ€™ve gone for the 5โ€-inch inseam version, because come on, itโ€™s summer, show a little thigh, my dude!

Specifications:

  • Size range: 28W-42W
  • Cut: Regular
  • Fabric: Cotton, elastane
  • Price on publish: $49.99-$69.50, depending on color choice

What we like:

  • Four length options
  • 10 color choices

What we donโ€™t like:

  • Some customer reviews mention that sizes run large

How we selected the best chinos for men

We made our selections through a combination of advice from style experts with experience in the menโ€™s fashion industry, thorough research, personal experience, and searching for brands with majority positive customer reviews.

How to choose the best chinos for men

โ€œWhen choosing a pair of chinos, consider the color, the occasion, your wardrobe, and the fit,โ€ suggests Farnam Elyasof, CEO and founder at Flex Suits. โ€œFor starters, make sure youโ€™ve measured your waist size and the length of your legs correctly so you pick a pair that perfectly complements your physique. Correct measurements are how you'll avoid selecting a pair that's either too long, too loose, too tight, or too shortโ€”any of these will make you stand out for all the wrong reasons.โ€

โ€œThere are different types of chinos for different occasions, so the right choice will depend on whether it calls for dressing up or dressing down,โ€ Elyasof continues. โ€œFor a more casual look, go for a pair that has pockets at the back and material thatโ€™s a bit thicker. If you're looking to dress up, your best choice will be a pair with pockets on the side and whose material feels thinner. Lastly, you'll need to factor in the rest of your wardrobe when choosing the right-colored pair of chinos. You want to go with a color that you can easily match with what's already in your closetโ€”that way, you'll derive more utility from this men's fashion staple.โ€

Shopping tip: If youโ€™re stocking up on chinos, you may want to take a moment to consider the state of your shoes. Our list of the best loafers for men include options that go casual or polished.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Which fit is best for chinos?

โ€œChoosing the appropriate fit of chinos depends on your body type and personal style,โ€ says Vargas. โ€œSlim-fit or tapered chinos from brands like Bonobos or J.Crew can provide a chic silhouette, or for a more relaxed, yet formal appearance, straight-leg chinos from Dockers or Gap may offer better coverage.โ€

โ€œChinos should generally be ankle-length, or slightly shorter for a pair you wouldn't mind wearing without socks,โ€ says Elyasof. โ€œThe pair you choose should naturally fit your waist without needing the assistance of a belt, or being so tight that it makes movement uncomfortable. Similarly, the pair should fit snugly around your knees and hips and naturally follow the outline of your legs down to the bottom. There should be about an inch of space between the fabric and your hips, as well as between the material and your knees, for maximum comfort and unrestricted movement.โ€

Are chinos for older men?

โ€œChinos are for everyone!โ€ says Hanshaw. โ€œAt one time they might have been the chosen casual pants for the more conservative or older crowd, but theyโ€™ve made their way to many of the runways of the men's designers. They haven't changed the base, but they have made some fit changes to give them more tailoring and an updated look thatโ€™s been embraced by younger and older alike. What is old is new again!โ€

โ€œChinos are timeless classics suitable for men of any age, providing a polished and sophisticated alternative to jeans that makes them essential components in any stylish wardrobe, regardless of its owner,โ€ adds Vargas.

โ€œChinos are for men of all ages, and are one of the most versatile pants a man can have in his wardrobe,โ€ agrees Elyasof. โ€œThe trick is to style these pants in a way that matches your tastes, fashion sense, and the occasion you're wearing them to.โ€

Are chinos and khakis the same thing?

โ€œChinos and khakis are not the same thing, despite the fact that the terms are often used interchangeably,โ€ explains Elyasof. โ€œWhereas chinos are made of lightweight cotton or cotton-blend materials, khakis tend to have a heavier construction. Khakis are also not designed to be as form-fitting as chinos, and are not particularly suitable for formal or semi-formal occasions.โ€

What is the best material for chinos?

โ€œTrue chinos are only cotton,โ€ says Hanshaw. โ€œIn fact, the cotton process of the fabric is called โ€˜chinoโ€™ and is a steep twill that is mercerized to a bit of a shine.โ€

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