Mens chinos guide

To understand the use of the men’s chinos, we must first look back at the story behind them. The men’s chinos have a history that goes back about a hundred years and the quality is often referred to as a more stylish alternative to the established denim jeans.

However, the story begins with the British army which began to use the cotton material for its durability and compliance which made the trousers ideal for the army’s work in the field. The color most strongly associated with chinos is undoubted the beige/brown ‘khaki’ color which originated in the British uniform. As the pants spread in the army, they came to create influences for use in other contexts as well. During the development of the ‘Preppy’ style in the 50s and 60s, cotton pants came to play a significant role. A style that many universities in the US and the UK paved the way for, where the trousers were characterized by a slightly wider silhouette and trousers finish, preferably in a beige color.

Beige, brown or navy? How to know what color to go for? When choosing your first pair of dressed chinos you really should reflect on what you will wear the most, down to what color goes with your current wardrobe and for what season it will be used. Some favorites of our customers are the beige chino in a cotton twill, perhaps the most classic chino and the first thing that comes to mind. A black chino perhaps in cotton twill, highly elegant to wear with a piece of knitwear and a matching belt. Due to the versatility of the black chino trouser it deserves a spot in the modern mans wardrobe. Although not as big of a staple as the beige or off white chinos trousers which are an absolute must!

Since chinos are a more relaxed and semi casual trouser the styling naturally follows the same path. Wear a pair of beige chinos with a washed denim shirt during spring, preferably with a custom tailored cashmere sweater over the shoulders. The same pair could also be used with a tailored jacket and a white shirt to the office, highlighting the versatility of the chino trouser. A pair of black chino trousers would be perfect for a night out with friends, preferably worn with a soft jacket, a matching black piquet shirt and a pair of black loafers.

Our favorite choices for chinos

• Beige cotton twill
• White cotton twill
• Black cotton twill
• Brown corduroy
• Blue moleskin

Our chinos are produced in Italy with selected fabrics that are particularly well suited for a chinos trousers. Among other things, we work with the weaving mill Olimpias, which is one of the world’s foremost in the production of high quality cotton fabrics.

We usually work with three different qualities; cotton twill, corduroy and moleskin. Cotton twill comes in a washed quality of 310 grams. This quality is perhaps the one we associate most with the classic chino pants. Corduroy is a narrow gauge manchester in cotton with a weight of 410g and hence more suitable for colder weather. The moleskin fabric is made out of 98% cotton and 2% elastane and is brushed to create a soft suede like feel. A pair of moleskin chinos are a great way to elevate a casual outfit and make it a bit more interesting. All of our fabrics come in several colors. Every fabric has its advantages and our experts are happy to help you find the right one online or through our showroom.