Chinos are a critical part of men’s fashion. Although they didn’t start as fashion pieces, they’ve since been adopted into the contemporary fashion world and are turning heads.
The chino falls somewhere between dress pants and denim on the casual-to formal spectrum. Their design makes them more versatile and practical than most other options.
Compared to jeans, Chino pants are easier to wear and maintain. Therefore, it’s not surprising that people are finding new exciting ways to combine them with their clothes.
But what really are chino pants, and where do they come from? We’ll find out in this article.
Why Are They Called Chinos?
Chinos were derived from the Spanish word Pantalones chinos, which meant “Chinese pants” when they reached the Spanish people and were shortened in English to Chinos. This is because the twill fabric was initially made in China but was developed for military uniforms in the 19th century. It caught people’s attention when Spanish-American war veterans returned from the Philippines with these pants. It has since been adopted by the general public as regular men’s clothing and is catching on quickly.
Chinos Vs. Regular dress Pants
While chinos are a regular, everyday men’s clothing item, it is quite different from regular dress pants. They have a few similarities between them, but they also have major differences. The first significant difference is that they are made from different materials.
▪️ Chinos are made from 100% cotton, and other synthetic materials, while regular dress pants are made from different materials such as wool, linen, khadi, or cotton.
▪️ Chinos were made for military personnel for breathability and flexibility, while regular dress pants were for fashion.
▪️ Chinos pants have a maximum of three pockets, while regular dress pants have four or more pockets.
▪️ Chinos pants come in a slim-fit cut with discreet pockets, while regular dress pants are straight-fit and have regular pockets.
▪️ Chinos pants can be worn for casual or semi-formal occasions and can be worn with loafers or sneakers, while regular dress pants are mainly for formal occasions and can only be paired with dress shoes.
Chinos Vs. Khaki
This is very confusing for many people because both pants were made for military personnel, so they often mistake one for the other. Aside from being made for military personnel, they often come in the same color but with different fabrics and styles.
▪️ Chinos pants are lightweight with 100% cotton, while khaki pants are made from thick fabrics.
▪️ Chinos pants are narrow as it goes lower on the leg and could be cuffed or uncuffed, while khaki pants are straight-legged with cuffs at the hem
▪️ Chinos pants have a flat front, while khaki pants are pleated.
▪️ Chinos pants are seamless, form-fitting, and are made for casual or semi-formal occasions, while khaki pants are loose and are worn for casual occasions.
▪️ Chinos pants have a maximum of 2-3 pockets, while khaki pants can have 6-8 pockets.
▪️ Chinos pants have a dressier look, while khaki pants are more rugged.
5 Ways To Wear Chino Pants.
So much talk about chinos; we will also discuss how to style your chinos for a distinctive look.
1. Plain Shirts On Chinos pants
Plain shirts are casual wear, as we all know, but if you want to upgrade a plain shirt to give it a more formal look, pair them with Chinos pants. Plain shirts on Chino pants are a combo suitable for parties, dinner dates, or even business meetings. It’s a simple look to pull off and can serve as a basis to add other clothing items, such as denim or a leather jacket, for a crisp look.
2. Camouflage Shirt On Chinos pants
Because chinos were initially made for military personnel, pairing them with a camouflage shirt makes more sense. This is the perfect combination if you’re going for that military look. This outfit will go from 70-100 real quick if worn with combat boots or air 1 Jordans. The complete look shows you’re ready to combat your day, regardless of what comes.
3. V-neck Shirt On Chinos pants
Another relaxed look is wearing a V-neck shirt with Chino pants. This look will be a suitable outfit for the early days of winter before the skies start to rain snow. Chinos are made from lightweight cotton fabric, so they might not provide so much warmth. However, they are perfect for the summer because the pants are flexible and breathable. This outfit would fit perfectly with loafers or sneakers.
4. Sweatshirts On Chinos pants
Sweatshirts are those better-looking sweaters that are more versatile than regular sweaters and are more stylish. So pairing sweatshirts with Chino pants is going to have a great outlook. Chinos are flexible and comforting, as are sweatshirts, making this combination an absolute pleasure to wear. Suitable for all informal outdoor occasions. You could wear them with crocs and socks or just regular flat shoes.
5. Buttoned Down Shirt On Chinos pants
This could be a formal look. This outfit can be worn to work and to any formal occasion. Chino pants now come in different colors, giving you room to style your pants however you like. Instead of the traditional white buttoned-down shirt, you can go for a colored shirt or a plaid shirt to pair with your chinos pants of any color. This outfit would look fantastic with loafers or sneakers.
Conclusion
Chino pants are a far better choice than denim or khakis in summer because they’re lightweight and cotton, so they can absorb sweat and keep your skin cool all day long. They also are very stylish yet simple. Opt for better-looking and more comfortable pants if you do not want to deal with the hassles of wearing denim pants or khakis. Choose chinos pants.
