Chinos are an essential part of any well-dressed man’s wardrobe. However, they’re not all created equal. Or priced equally, for that matter. Here we bring you the best chinos you can buy in 2018.
Best Chinos 2018: History
Let’s start with a history lesson. Chinos were first used by the British and French militaries in the mid-19th century. They represent the move away from brightly-coloured tunic uniforms, towards more natural and camouflaged earthy-coloured uniforms. Chinos remained a military-only garment until the late 19th century when American soldiers returning from the Spanish-American war in 1898 continued to wear them as civilians.
The term “chino” actually refers to Chinese Pantalones/Pants, as this is where the thin cotton material, used to make the trousers, was originally sourced from.
See also: Best Home IPL Hair Removal Machines 2018.
Best Chinos 2018: Size, fit and material
Today, chinos are used as a versatile trouser that can be used to dress either formally or casually. Wearers only need to pair chinos with a smart shirt to successfully pass a dressing formally. Conversely, a pair of chinos worn with a t-shirt will successfully create a simple casual look.
With that in mind, we suggest it’s worth spending a little extra time figuring out what makes up the perfect chino, for you. Like all forms of fashion, chinos vary wildly in terms of the shapes and sizes they’re available in. Gap, for example, tend to tailor a more traditional chino that has a higher waistline and baggier fit. H&M, on the other hand, opt for a more modern and slimline, which will give the wearer a tighter fit.
With this in mind, we suggest you pay close attention to these two specific areas when buying the best chinos for you. One more thing to look out for is the material they’re made from. Traditionally, chinos are 100% cotton. However, we’d suggest that’s actually bad thing. The best chinos, according to us, are ones that have a little flex in them. For this reason, it’s worth looking for a chino that is made from a blend of materials and has at least 2% Elastane, Spandex or another stretchy material. This will make the pants more comfortable, easier to put on, more likely to fit better, and importantly, less likely to blow open when you bend over too quickly.
Below we’ve selected six of our favourite chinos of 2018. Each garment below is available in a range of colours and sizes. Just click on the links below to see more. Good luck.
The 6 BEST Chinos 2018
1. Dockers – Alpha Stretch, Slim
£70.00 £41.99
- 98% Cotton
- 2% Elastane
- Machine washable
Dockers specialise in making chinos. The pair featured here is one of the fashion brand’s more modern chinos, with a tapered, and more slim fit. This exact style is available in three different colours – St Helena Blue, Deep Lichen Green or Port (a dark red). As the name suggests, these trousers are made from a blend of 92% cotton and 2% Elastane, which ensures a more flexible and comfortable fit than the traditional/old 100% cotton material.
Dockers is a brand that’s renowned for its quality. A pair of these will last twice as long as cheaper pairs. Dockers, like any chino, look great worn casually with trainers or boaties and a tee; or with brogues or a smart show with a crisp shirt.
Buy these chinos direct from Dockers for £41.99.
2. Gant – Slim Fit Twill Chinos
£85.00 £59.50
- Cotton 98%
- Elastane2%
- Machine washable
These twill chinos are made from an organic cotton and stretch blend, giving the wearer a comfort and flexibility. These chinos also feature a modern low-cut waist, narrow leg, and a slim fit. This is combined with slanted side pockets, double-welted back pockets, and a zip fly with button closure. They are also available in nine different colours. Country Green (pictured); Graphite; Black; Falcon Grey; Hurricane Blue; Purple Wine; Marine; Dark Khaki; And Sepia Khaki.
Buy these chinos direct from Gant for £59.50.
3. Hawes & Curtis – Extra Slim Fit Chinos
£49.50 £29.95
- 97% Cotton
- 3% Elastane
These slim-fit royal blue chinos are perfect for those looking for anyone who prefers bold colours. They’re crafted from a 97% cotton and 3% Elastane blend, which brings softness and comfort. These trousers boast two side pockets, two back pockets and a button and zip fastening. They have been garment dyed which creates a soft, luxurious texture and enhances the colour. These contemporary chinos are very fitted, so we recommend you purchase the next size up if you prefer a more relaxed fit.
Buy these chinos direct from Hawes & Curtis for £29.95.
4. Levis – 511 Slim Fit Chino
£70.00 £49.00
- Cotton 98%
- Elastane2%
- Machine washable
Levis has adapted a selection of its famous range of jeans fits into chinos. The 511 is the pick of the bunch with its slim fit style and blend of 98% cotton and 2% Elastane for extra comfort and flexibility. The trousers are available in three different colours Nightwatch Blue; Rich Brown; Timberwolf. The 511 chinos look great when worn casually or formally. Being Levis, they’re tailored to be durable and will last for years.
Buy these chinos direct from Levis for £49.00.
5. Next – Stretch Chino
£22.00
- Cotton 98%
- Elastane2%
- Machine washable
Next’s take on the chino is a classic one. Available in a variety of colours, these straight-leg trousers will look great in any situation. Formal or casual. They’re made from a blend of 98% cotton and 2% Elastane, meaning they will provide extra comfort and flexibility to the wearer. They’re also machine washable too, so taking care of these pants won’t require a trip to the dry cleaners, as some high-end chinos will. Pair these with a pair of understated trainers or booties and a tee for a casual look, or with a pair of brogues and an ironed button-down shirt for more formal occasions. At £22, they’re a bargain.
Buy these chinos direct from Next for £22.
6. H&M – Chinos Skinny Fit
£19.99 £14.99
- Cotton 98%
- Elastane 2%
- Machine washable
H&M is a great place to go if you’re looking for a cheap pair of chinos that look great. This skinny fit chino sits as nicely as any of its more expensive rivals. However, H&M’s trousers aren’t built to last. If you wear these chinos regularly, they will wear-out in months, not years. That said, they’re really cheap. They’re also available in a range of colours – Beige; Dark beige; Dark Denim Blue; Anthracite grey; Khaki green; Dark grey – so you have plenty of options here for less than £20. H&M gets one more thing right here. The blend is 98% Cotton and 2% Elastane. This is the prefered modern way, making chinos that little bit more comfortable and flexible.
Buy these chinos direct from H&M for £14.99.
Read next: Best White Shirts for Men 2018: The 5 BEST Button Down White Shirts.
