The 20 Best Chinos for Men, According to Style Experts

CHINO PANTS are all about keeping the sartorial balance. They first set out their wardrobe icon status as military trousers worn by American soldiers in the 19th-century Spanish-American war, their metamorphosis into a part of everyday wear seemed inevitable as soon as the boys returned home and introduced chino pants to civilians. Since then, the style became where casual jeans and formal dress trousers meet halfway, a middle ground where comfort and finesse can unite. As such, chino pants for men are easy on the eyes and on the skin, with a cleaner profile than their forebear—the khaki pants, which don the original color—that can jibe with a variety of outfits, making them one of the most versatile wardrobe essentials a man can own.

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Today, the best chinos for men beg you to shake off the image of dad’s unflattering, boxy khakis sitting too high on the waist and accessorized with a phone holster to boot. The best chino pants nowadays look best in a slim or tapered fit—even the classic straight fit has become somewhat body-hugging—across the whole color spectrum. But the chinos a man will actually want to wear should also come with some substance, which is why many modern chinos now are decked out with pockets, made with stretch and performance fabric that moves with the legs instead of restricting the movement.

Here, we’ve tested and consulted with menswear experts like designers, style influencers, and stylists to unearth the 20 best chinos for men you can possibly buy. Dress them up for work, or dress them down for a guys’ weekend, because the best chinos really let you move freely throughout the day with a sharp style.

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“What I love about Bonobos is how they cater to any body shape. Their original stretch chino is not only a well-constructed item but is also at a budget price point as well,” says Grace Thomas, a personal wardrobe stylist. Available in 21 colorways, 4 different fits, and even the ability to customize the pocket liner, Bonobos made the one pair of chinos that every guy will want to score with 2% lycra for stretch—all under $100! Better yet, every fit feels comfortable all day and dons moisture-wicking fabric. “When shopping for this piece keep in mind what fit will work best for your body shape. Larger thighs? Athletic fit is the option for you. Carry a little more weight around your midsection? Stick with the straight fit,” recommends Thomas. Plus, Bonobos even has tech chinos in extended sizes for bigger guys. However, a caveat is that many sizes can sell out in classic colors.

Vuori makes some of the most versatile joggers around, but their chinos are just as impressive in terms of versatility. In fact, pro cyclist and founder of cycling team L39ION of Los Angeles, Justin Williams, regards the brand’s Collins chino pants as “a versatile wardrobe staple that can be dressed up or down, making it a must-have for any trip I go on.” Unlike other chinos whose surface feels rough, these actually feel like suede and suave like a gentleman. “Not only do they offer impressive style, but they also prioritize comfort, making them ideal for any occasion,” adds Williams. “With a modern cut, you can look sharp and put-together whether you’re taking a business meeting or just hanging out with family and friends.” Really, their two-way stretch cotton and not-too-slim fit will become an indispensable part of your daily pants rotation for sure. “It’s no wonder that the Chino Pant is the first thing in my travel bag—they’re simply perfect for any situation,” Williams affirms.

These classic stretch chinos under $100 from J.Crew have the comfort you need to move with ease while still providing a flattering fit. They’re cut from a 7.9 oz twill fabric that’s ideal for year-round wear so it’s not too stiff or too thin. Kristi Smith, a fashion wear expert at product review site Honest Brand Reviews, recommends these J.Crew chinos as “the perfect buy if you wish to strike a balance between style and comfort.” The best part about J.Crew’s chinos is they offer them in several different silhouettes—each is flattering as the other—so you can see which chino would suit your wardrobe. For instance, if you have bigger thighs, you can bump up to the athletic fit, and they won’t look too baggy or skin-tight in that well-stitched form, says Smith. “The idea is to wear them to work or when hanging out with friends. J.Crew has kept that in mind and offered their customers the versatile fit chino, which works for all occasions!”

A chino that moves like a jogger but looks like a pair of grown-up pants is no wonder Everlane’s hero item—and your hero item in the most literal sense. It packs sweat-wicking, quick-drying, and four-way stretchiness in a business-casual veneer—underdressed or overdressed be damned. Susan Gagnon, a fashion blogger and costume designer, says these are “comfortable to wear for all-day work, parties, or formal events. Plus,
it is made from four-way stretchable fabric that prevents it from wear and tear.” That is all to say even after you’ve given up on slim-fit pants for good during WFH, you’ll come to appreciate this chino’s ability to make you look good and feel good. “It is also considered to be a technical pant option because of its sweat-wicking and quick-drying features,” Gagnon emphasizes. “You can find these chinos in Everlane’s Uniform Collection at a reasonable price of $98,” she further adds. That just-right price point is also what makes these chinos by Everlane so stellar.

Warning: these are nothing like the beaten Levi’s your dad used to wear. “Levi’s brand is well-known for its beautiful products that have been trusted in the market for many years,” says lifestyle and style blogger, Michael Morris. And the go-to pants brand made some major upgrades to their quality chino pants by adding enough elastane stretch to let you move comfortably in them, and waffle-knit thermal material to help you stay warm on colder days. Regarding the perfect regular fit, Morris says: “These chino pants are low waist and have a straight leg cut, allowing you to move flexibly.” So yes, these pants are cut to give added comfort to even guys with bigger thighs while maintaining a clean tapered look. All in all, you can travel in these Levi’s chinos for a full day and still look sharp for an afternoon business meeting. At this price, it’s a steal.

John Pearson, the world’s first male supermodel, recommends stocking up on your chino rotation with Buck Mason’s officer pants. “They are the kind of items that I buy three or so as to save time and energy to concern myself with shopping. I’ll get a decade of use out of each and their character will deepen with age and use (as I hope mine will!),” says Pearson. That ruggedness is owing to the pants’ great vintage canvas stretch fabric, 5-pocket design like denim jeans, and a flattering slim fit that makes them a prime choice for guys of all ages. “They are safe dependable bets with a subtle contemporary twist that assures you and makes you feel good—a uniform of sorts that takes the thinking out of what to wear,” explains Pearson. ” The cotton twill material also lends some texture and hefty oomph. “The fabric is top rate, the cut is spot on and I also have to purchase extra pairs because our two 20-something sons keep ‘borrowing’ them,” adds Pearson.

Despite being one of the oldest menswear brands, Brooks Brothers’ Advantage Chino® pants have the most modern, wearer-friendly design we’ve ever tested, from a flexible waistband to the right amount of spandex for stretch to a cotton twill softness that lasts to a wrinkle-resistant fabric to five different fits for every body type to a variety of inseam and waist sizes, catering to just about every guy. Marcos Martinez, a New York City lifestyle blogger, verifies how these pants by Brooks Brothers meet all the demands in chinos. “The chinos should have a flexible waistband to give comfort and breathing room around the waist. The material should be mostly cotton twill and part spandex for flexibility,” says Martinez. And with enough fits and sizes to cover anything from extra slim to extra large, whatever your body type is, rest assured that Brooks Brothers’ chinos have you covered.

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