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Answering the question: what brands make the best chinos?
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Ralph Lauren, Charles Tyrwhitt, Dockers
By: Jael Rucker
Published Feb 22, 2024
Looking for a nice pair of pants that have the comfort of your most comfortable denim, but aren't exactly jeans? They're called chinos baby, and every man needs at least two pairs in his closet. Finding the right pair of chinos is what we'll call semi-difficult. If you have all the right information needed and a general idea of what you are looking for in terms of fit, style, and cut, then shopping for chinos can be a easy process. That said, finding exactly what you are looking for in terms of features and details is where it can slightly difficult. Don't worry fellas! We know how much of a grind it can be searching for this stuff, so we did the work for you. To help you out, we've researched, vetted, and rounded up the best chinos for men when skinny jeans, shorts, and joggers just simply won't cut it.
Options like our top choice, the Ralph Lauren RRL Officer Chino Pant ($245), Charles Tyrwhitt's Ultimate Non-Iron Chinos ($119), and the Dockers Easy Stretch Khakis ($39.99, $31.21) are just a few of the affordable chino pants that have captured our attention for the upcoming seasons. Check out some of the others below.
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What We Looked For to Select the Best Men's Chinos:
J. Crew
- Sizing: Sizing is something that you'll want to take into consideration as you'll want the pants to have a relatively slim-fit. Pay attention to how each brand sizes in terms of their waist and length, and it might help to read the review.
- Cut: The overall cut is something to pay attention to as well. Some of you might like your pants in a little of bit of high water style, while others like their pants longer. It's up to you, but make sure the cut is the way you like it.
- Material: Cotton twill fabric is the most common and best material for chinos. Linen and bamboo are nice options for a more breathable chino, but cotton/cotton twill is the most common.
- Pleats vs Flat Front: Pleated pants tend to have a higher rise which result in the pants being worn higher in the waist area. Flat front pants tend to be worn lower to result in a slimmer look. Which one you prefer is up to you, but pleated pants have a more historic (and slightly more formal) look.
- Color: Chinos come in a variety of colors, which all have relatively different use cases. Dark navy and black chinos can be worn for semi-formal affairs, while lighter blues and tan are a better fit for slightly more casual events. Then the more vibrant color options (salmon and vivid greens) are sometimes no more formal than a pair of jeans. Olive and navy chinos are a great option for the fall and winter, and some lighter colors make a great fit for the spring seasons.
A Shopping Guide to the Best Chinos for Men:
- Best Overall Chinos for Men - Ralph Lauren RRL Officer Chino Pant, $245
- Best Chinos for Work - Charles Tyrwhitt Ultimate Non-Iron Chinos, $119
- Another Chinos Workwear Option - Dockers Easy Stretch Khakis,
$39.99, $31.21 - An Affordable Chinos Option - Dickies 874 Work Pant, $29.99
- A Slim-Fit Chinos Option - Aeropostale Slim Straight Chinos, $19.80
- Also Great - Polo Ralph Lauren Washed Stretch Slim Fit Chino Pants, $59.99
- Best Stretch Chinos - Mugsy Teddy Chinos,
$115, $46 - Best Pleated Chinos - Everlane Organic Cotton Pleated Chino, $108
1. Ralph Lauren RRL Officer Chino Pant
Ralph Lauren
Best Overall Chino for Men
- Sizing: 28 - 40
- Cut: Slim-Fit
- Material: Cotton
- Pleats vs Flat Front: Flat Front
- Color: New Military Khaki, Olive
If you are a fan of Ralph Lauren products, then you'll almost certainly like their Officer Chino Pant which is made with 100% cotton, and built for a slim-fit that sits slightly below the waistline. There's the option of choosing either the New Military Khaki or Olive colors (both of which make for versatile pieces), and cotton material makes this is a very comfortable wear.
2. Charles Tyrwhitt Ultimate Non-Iron Chinos
Charles Tyrwhitt
Best Chino for Work
- Sizing: 28 - 44
- Cut: Slim-Fit
- Material: 97% Cotton, 3% Elastane
- Pleats vs Flat Front: Flat Front
- Color: Tan, Camel, Green, Heather Blue, Wine Red, and 9 others
These bestselling chinosfrom Charles Tyrwhitt are a great option for the workplace as they are very comfortable, have slim-fit that is flattering but isn't too slim to the point of not being office appropriate, and comes with multiple colors to choose from. If you are unsure whether or not the slim-fit will work for you, then you can rock with the regular fit. On the flip side, if you think the standard slim-fit is going to be too big, then Charles Tyrwhitt gives you an extra slim option as well.
3. Dockers Easy Stretch Khakis
Amazon
Another Chino Workwear Option
- Sizing: 36 x 30, 40 x 30
- Cut: Classic Fit
- Material: 64% Cotton, 34% Polyester, 2% Elastane
- Pleats vs Flat Front: Flat Front
- Color: Khaki, Black, Dark Pebble, Navy, Burma Grey, Cloud
These classic chinos from Dockers come stretch ready to have you looking and feeling good at all times. Constructed with a cotton, polyester, and elastane fit, Dockers have become known over the decades for their easy straight lines, and the Easy Stretch Pants are no different. A great buy for a great price.
4. Dickies 874 Work Pant
Dickies
An Affordable Chino Option
- Sizing: 30 - 46
- Cut: Relaxed Fit
- Material: 65% Polyester, 35% Cotton
- Pleats vs Flat Front: Flat Front
- Color: Khaki, Airforce Blue, Black, Charcoal Gray, Dark Brown, and 5 others
Another affordable option that also doubles as great for the office are the Original 874 Workpants from Dickies which have been recognized and respected for the last 60 years. The pants are high rise, sit on the waist, and have a relaxed fit with slightly tapered legs. The wrinkle and stain-resistant fabric is also another bonus as it ensures you'll be able to wear the pants for a long time. Not bad for $30.
5. Aeropostale Slim Straight Chinos
Aeropostale
A Slim-Fit Chino Option
- Sizing: 27 x 28 - 42 x 32
- Cut: Slim-Fit
- Material: 97% Cotton, 3% Spandex
- Pleats vs Flat Front: Flat Front
- Color: Hazelnut, Sandalwood, Deep Navy, Camo Green, Black Fox
Aeropostale has some nice chino options for men, including their Slim Straight Chinos which come in an assortment of colors, and are very comfortable with their cotton material. The slight spandex also adds a slight bit of stretch to give you some extra room for movement if needed.
6. Polo Ralph Lauren Washed Stretch Slim Fit Chino Pants
Belk
- Sizing: 32 x 32, 40 x 32
- Cut: Slim-Fit
- Material: Cotton Twill
- Pleats vs Flat Front: Flat Front
- Color: Pink,White, Perfect Gray, Red
Polo Ralph is always a good choice, and their Washed Stretch Slim Fit Chino Pants come affordable, well-designed, and are a versatile piece that you can add into your lineup and pair with just about anything. Made with a stretch cotton twill fabric and amped with features such as a flat front, hand pockets, and button-through rear pockets, there's multiple colors at your disposal, and the reviews are quite high.
7. Mugsy Teddy Chinos
Mugsy
Best Stretch Chinos
- Sizing: 28 - 42
- Cut: Relaxed
- Material: Cotton Twill
- Pleats vs Flat Front: Flat Front
- Color: Dark Blue, Light Khaki, Olive, Khaki, Peach, and 14 others
We're about to enter the dog days of summer here soon, which means...you're going to need a pair of Teddys. Made with flexible, comfortable and soft cotton twill chino fabric and a flat front build that gives you a comfortable and slightly stretchy fit, these chinos are also highly rated and come in lots of fun colors that you can mix, match, and play around with.
8. Everlane Organic Cotton Pleated Chino
Everlane
Best Pleated Chino
- Sizing: 28 - 40
- Cut: Relaxed
- Material: Organic Cotton
- Pleats vs Flat Front: Pleated
- Color: Deep Navy, Toasted Coconut, Trench Coat
Let's get a pleated chino option in here shall we? Everlane is, well, Everlane, so you already know that you are getting a quality sustainable chinos option that perfectly balances style and protecting the environment. Additionally, these chinos featuretwo front-slant pockets and back welt pockets with a button closure, and a zipper front and button closure as extra features.
9. Alex Mill Standard Pleated Pant in Chino
Alex Mill
- Sizing: 28 - 36
- Cut: Relaxed
- Material: 98% Cotton, 2% Elastane
- Pleats vs Flat Front: Pleated
- Color: Vintage Khaki, Military Olive, Dark Navy, Black, Oat Milk, Dark Khaki
The reviews on these Standard Pleated Pants from Alex Mill are great, which is to be expected from the brand as they are renowned for their quality offerings. There's five different colors available, and tons you can do with these pants in terms of styling, so we'll take them. As far as their composition goes, the Standard Pleated Pants are made with a cotton elastane blend, and are quite cozy to wear thanks to Alex Mill's premium construction. You can purchase for $135.
10. Bearbottom Relaxed Stretch Chino Pant
Bearbottom
- Sizing: S - L
- Cut: Slim-Fit
- Material: 97% Cotton, 3% Spandex
- Pleats vs Flat Front: Flat Front
- Color: Cocoa, Navy, Fern, Black, Stone
Everyday wear brand Bearbottom offers a solid chino that teeters on the edge of slightly luxury and slightly casual with their Relaxed Stretch Chinos—a chafe free comfortable pair of pants made with a cotton and elastane mixture. Also offering a flat front construction, the Relaxed Stretch Chinos are designed to be straight-leg slim-fit, giving you the perfect mixture of slim and loose. You can purchase for $65.
11. Todd Snyder Japanese Relaxed Fit Selvedge Jeans
Todd Snyder
- Sizing: 30 x 32 - 36 x 34
- Cut: Relaxed
- Material: Cotton
- Pleats vs Flat Front: Flat Front
- Color: Khaki, Olive, Black, White
Todd Snyder's motto is "If you want a better chino, sometimes you have to design it yourself." The Japanese Relaxed Fit Selvedge Jeans pull together many of the classic elements the brand is known for, and has a speciality fabric imported from Japan’s famed Kuroki Millthat recreates the dry-yet-soft feel of a vintage military khaki.
12. L.L. Bean Wrinkle-Free Double L Chinos
L.L. Bean
- Sizing: 30 - 44
- Cut: Classic
- Material: Cotton
- Pleats vs Flat Front: Flat Front
- Color: Carbon Navy, Khaki, Dark Khaki, Quarry Gray, Shale Gray
These chinos from L.L. Bean check all the boxes. Comfortably made with cotton, durable and sturdy construction, easy to slip on and off, multiple colors available, affordable (under $75 for the win), and wrinkle-free which is always a bonus. Out of everything we just listed, the wrinkle-free stands out the most to us because who wants wrinkles?
13. Banana Republic Slim Lived-In Chino
Banana Republic
- Sizing: 28 - 40
- Cut: Slim-Fit
- Material: Cotton
- Pleats vs Flat Front: Flat Front
- Color: Rich Earth, Oyster Pearl, Black, Flint Grey, Preppy Navy
The Slim Lived-In Chino is exactly that. Slim and Lived-In. Crafted with rich soft cotton that provides the ultimate comfort, these bad boys are a must have considering you are only spending roughly $50 or less (depending on your color selection). Additionally, the Slim Lived-In Chino comes complete with what Banana Republic deems as a luxurious feel that maximizes your comfort, a button closure with a zip fly, off-seam front pockets, and a single welt button that goes through the back pockets.
14. State & Liberty Athletic Fit Stretch
State & Liberty
- Sizing: 29 - 40
- Cut: Athletic
- Material: Nylon / Spandex Performance Blend
- Pleats vs Flat Front: Flat Front
- Color: Khaki
The Athletic Fit Stretch Tech Chino blends together fit and comfort as they are specificallycut and built for guys who need more room in the seat, thighs, and quads. Made with a nylon/spandex performance blend along with moisture-wicking properties and 4-way stretch, if you fall happen to fall under the category of having an athletic build, then these State & Liberty chinos are the perfect pair of pants for you.
15. Bonobos Italian Stretch Chinos
Bonobos
- Sizing: 30 - 36
- Cut: Slim
- Material: 98% Cotton, 2% Elastane
- Pleats vs Flat Front: Flat Front
- Color: Pale Oak, Maritime Blue, Asphalt Grey, Silver Mist
According to Bonobos, the Italian Stretch Chinos are their most polished chinos today as they are made with a polished cotton/elastane blend beautifully crafted in refined Italian fabric. The Italian Stretch Chinos comes in multiple colors, and are also easily to pair with other closet essentials such as blazers and dress shirts. Gotta love a versatile pair of pants that's under $100.
16. Vuori Cascade Tech Chino Pant
Vuori
- Sizing: 28 - 38
- Cut: Slim
- Material: Performance stretch twill fabric
- Pleats vs Flat Front: Flat Front
- Color: Charcoal, Dark Oregano, Fog, Black, Winter Pear
If looking for a pair of chinos that you can wear for traveling, then Vuor's Cascade Tech Chino Pants might be helpful as they are designed for travel, tee times, and everything in between. Priced at $128, the Cascade Tech Pants are made with performance stretch twill fabric, and are water-resistant too for those icky weather days.
17. Docker Signature Khakis Pleated
Dockers
- Sizing: 32 - 60
- Cut: Classic
- Material: 98% Cotton, 2% Spandex
- Pleats vs Flat Front: Pleated
- Color: Black, Timber Wolf, Navy, Cloud, Dark Pebble, Burma Grey
Another option from Dockers since we're huge fans of the brand, this time around we're rocking with the pleated chinos which are made with cotton and spandex, and also feature No Wrinkle technology along with some added stretch room to keep you comfortable as you move around. These Signature Khakis are under $50 as well, which you can't beat along with Dockers also offering their signature Flex Comfort Waistband that helps with providing more flexibility.
18. Orvis Ultimate Khakis Pleated Front
Orvis
- Sizing: 30 - 44
- Cut: Classic
- Material: Cotton Twill
- Pleats vs Flat Front: Pleated
- Color: Field Khaki, Khaki, Olive, Stone
Another high quality pleated chino pants option from Orvis to save the day for when you need some semi-casual office wear. Crafted with cotton twill, the Ultimate Khakis give you an interior button that the brand says helps to provide more of a smoother fit, a locker loop that not only allows for hanging but also helps with wrinkle-prevention, and a cotton waistband to add to your overall comfort level. With multiple color choices, a size range of 30 - 44, and an asking price of $119, the Ultimate Khakis are the ultimate choice for a pair of chinos.
Why Trust ONE37pm:
ONE37pm has been conducting product reviews in style for over four years. I have written dozens of reviews in men's fashion, comprised of hours of research, personal testing and vetting reviews from across the internet. Charlie Kolbrener, Managing Editor at ONE37pm, provided insight and personal experience with many products within this article as well—specifically the Ralph Lauren RRL Officer Chino Pant, $245 and Dickies 874 Work Pants. For every product included in a style roundup, we either personally test the garment or conduct thorough research to make sure we are recommending something that is of quality.
Facts About Men's Chinos:
- Chinos and khakis can be used interchangeably, and in many ways are the same. However there are some difference between the two and how they are classified. Khakis tend to be made with lightweight fabrics and have a dressier look, whereas chinos steer towards the more technical end.
- The origins of chino pants dates back to the 19th century during the Spanish-American War. Since the war was close to Asia—it was in the Philippines, they went the chino as it was a derivative of China.
- While there are some chinos dedicated to allowing stretch room, you don't want them too stretchy as that can actually cause the material to tear.
- As we mentioned earlier, the most common fabric for chino pants are cotton-twill. Of course chinos can be made with other material, but cotton-twill remains the most common.
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