There is one piece of clothing that you can find in nearly every man’s wardrobe without fail, and that is a nice pair of chinos! Chinos are trousers or pants made of lightweight cotton-based materials that are set apart from the rest by a few unique features like partially hidden back pockets. You can find chinos in a wide variety of styles, and they all share that cool, comfortable feeling you get when you are wearing them. Chinos are lightweight which makes them a popular summer classic. Chinos are worn by millions of men from all walks of life, they are affordable and come in all colours, but the classics are navy blue, olive green, beige, or black thanks to their military history.
The first chino pants originated during the late 19th century’s Spanish-American War. They began as the bottom half of military uniforms, and the Spanish called them Pantalones Chinos which meant “Chinese Pants” because the tough but lightweight cotton fabric was imported from China. The chinos’very breathable material made them cool and comfortable to wear in hot weather, and their easy-going style and great durability ensured they would become a mainstay of men’s fashion all around the world for years to come!
So, what is this wonderful fabric that makes chinos so nice to wear? The secret is in the cotton. The cotton used to make chinos is woven in a twill-style fabric, which features a diagonal rib pattern that makes them exceptionally sturdy, while still being lightweight and breathable on those hot summer days and nights!
Although cotton is king, modern chinos do have some variation in the fabrics used:
Classic Chinos
These are made from 100% cotton and are famed for their casual look and comfortable fit. These are the chinos that marched a thousand miles, and are still going strong today!
Summer Chinos
These are even lighter in weight than the classic and are designed for the hottest weather. Summer chinos are made from a cotton and linen blend. These are the perfect chinos to wear when partying at the beach or boogieing down a hot city street.
Performance Chinos
These are made using a mixture of fabric materials designed to enhance their ability to stretch and maintain their durability for those leading very active lifestyles. Golfers swear by these super comfortable chinos, they are just the thing for chasing your ball into the rough!
Dress Chinos
A bit more refined look, usually blended from synthetic fibres to form a sharp silhouette, they are the perfect thing to wear in semi-formal settings like posh garden parties. More ice tea? Tennis anyone?
While chinos aren’t appropriate for a strictly formal occasion, their versatility helps them fit in nicely when worn for semi-formal occasions. On the formality scale of attire, placing casual wear at one end and formal wear at the other, chinos sit comfortably in the middle. Their simple, stylish cut makes chinos one of the most versatile and easy-to-wear items of men’s clothing there is, looking good never felt so good! So, if your wardrobe is lacking a pair or three of chino pants, do yourself a favour and go shopping!
