The best chinos for men. However you wear them.
Because 'stylish chinos' is no longer an oxymoron
All products are chosen independently by our editors. Luxury London may earn commission on items purchased.
The search for the ultimate pair of chinos, as per the pursuit of the perfect white T-shirt, makes trouser botherers of us all. It is, after all, an exercise in futility. It produces no definitive result. Because, even when you think you’ve found the conclusive smart-casual cotton-blend trouser – a pair perfect in length, fit, width, weight and, importantly, stretch; the chinos of your dreams, in other words – they shrink in the wash, wear away at the crotch, go out of production, or, most commonly, you simply outgrow them. Physically – hey, dad bod – but also psychologically (you can’t identify as a grunge-era bass player forever. At least, you shouldn’t). And yet, search we do. On and on…
My pursuit of the perfect pair of chinos – a pair that doesn’t make me feel, and look, let’s be honest, 10 years older (at least) – is an annual endeavour beginning in earnest every April, or thereabouts, when temperatures pick up and the thought of confronting the Underground in trousers made of denim makes me shiver. Something I won’t be doing in a couple of months’ time if I’m still schlepping about town in my trusty, but thick, 511s.
And, because it’ll be summer, and I’ll want something lightweight, I’ll be on the hunt for a cotton-polyester or cotton-spandex blend, rather than straight-up 100 per cent cotton, or heavier-weight cotton-twill (a cloth beloved by most workwear brands). And, because I’ll be heading to the office, and then, hopefully, drinks, I’ll want a pair that are loosely tailored but not skin-tight, that are breathable, but won’t wrinkle too badly, which have a bit of stretch, but aren’t too pyjama-y.
The key, I’ve realised, is to go for something straight-leg and narrow, rather than slim-fit and stretchy, with a tapered leg that finishes an inch, or so, above the ankle and the white tennis shoes below them, invariably. Vuori, a Californian outfit whose name I’ve luckily never had to pronounce out loud, has had a commendable stab with its five-pocket Meta Pant. Props, chaps. Big fan.
But that’s just my idea of a decent pairs of chinos. Yours will be different. If you haven’t found them yet – and the fact you’ve Googled ‘best chinos for men’ suggests that you haven’t – allow us to point you in the direction of some contenders that might fill that grown-up smart-casual trouser-shaped hole in your wardrobe.
Vuori Meta Pant
Tapered Leg? Tick. Breathable fabric? Tick. Four-way stretch? Tick. Moisture wicking? Tick. A lot of ticks from this athletic-inspired Californian lifestyle brand.
Mr Marvis Felsons
Dutch label Mr Marvis was established in 2016. Since then, the brand has become a go-to for smart-casual essentials. See these Felsons stretch-cotton chinos for as to why.
Spoke London Heroes
97 per cent cotton woven with three per cent elastane makes for a fabric that holds its shape, yet moves when you do. Spoke London named these chinos ‘Heroes’ for a reason.
Sunspel Slim Fit Chino
Nottingham’s Sunspel has been manufacturing wardrobe staples since 1860. The company may be better known for its T-shirts and knits, but these stone-coloured chinos are worthy of attention.
MR P. Adam Straight-Leg Chinos
Mr Porter’s in-house design team has turned its attention to chinos, and come up with a straight-leg cotton-twill pair you can wear with practically anything. Expect, perhaps, a tuxedo jacket. Then again…
David Gandy Wellwear Easy Tapered Pant
David Gandy is calling these trousers ‘pants’, rather than ‘chinos’. Potayto, potahto. The pleat adds a vintage feel, while the tapered leg keeps things contemporary. Wear them short.
Uniqlo Slim Fit Chino Trousers
Proving, once again, that it’s hard to beat Uniqlo where value for money is concerned, these supima cotton chinos are soft, stretchy and just the right side of relaxed. Most impressive of all, they’re less than £35.
A.P.C. Straight-Leg Cotton-Twill Chinos
Few brands elevate wardrobe essentials to easy-to-wear statement pieces as effectively as Paris’ A.P.C. A case in point, these straight-leg cotton-twill chinos. An investment, sure. But one that will pay back dividends.
Vans Authentic Chino Slim Trousers
Vans blends cotton, polyester and Lycra for its slim-leg chinos. The trousers come with slanted pockets, to keep your possessions safe, and signature V-shaped belt loops. Skateboard optional.
Dockers Go Chino, Skinny Fit
Go Chino, go skinny, says Dockers (although this pair aren’t actually that skinny). Your long-suffering perfect chino aspirant writer can vouch for this American workwear brand personally – he’s been wearing the same pair of Dockers chinos for close to a decade.
NN07 Theo 1420 Tapered Organic Cotton-Blend Twill Chinos
Slightly more formal than your average chinos, NN07’S Theo 1420 trousers are tailored from a mid-weight organic cotton-blend sourced from Italy. Dress them down with a hoodie, or up with a blazer.
Reiss Pitch Slim Fit Washed Cotton Blend Chinos
Reiss recently had a rebrand, but the British stalwart remains the smart-casual King of the High Street. These ultra-soft, stretch-enhanced smarter-than-casual chinos are pure Reiss 101.
RAG & BONE Straight-Leg Stretch Cotton-Blend Chinos
Marcus Wainwright founded Rag & Bone when he couldn’t find the specific type of jeans he was looking for. Having mastered denim, the brand turned to chinos, and has made a solid effort conquering them, too.
Marks & Spencer Regular Fit Heritage Chinos
If you’ve been following the fortunes of Marks & Spencer recently, you’ll know that the British institution is reaping the rewards of investing in its womenswear offering. Sparks has subsequently turned its attention to menswear. For affordable jeans and chinos, the high street champ is now hard to beat.
John Lewis Slim Fit Vintage Laundered Chinos
The designers at John Lewis have opted for a slightly lower rise for their slim-fit chinos. Laundered for a worn-in look, a low elastane content nevertheless makes for a slightly more formal (ie. less elastic), than athletic, chino.
