How to Make Tan Chinos Actually Cool

Chinos Are Back! Here's How to Pick the Right Pair for Your Body Type

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Talking about chinos is like talking about blazers. On the surface it’s just a staple, but when you get into fabric, fit, style, color, it’s a deep, dark wormhole of a conversation.

When denim took over the world in the late 90s, chinos were filed away into the dad drawer as something out of date and only seen on Seinfeld. With the rise of preppy style, the chino had a comeback and chat rooms would blow up over the latest styles from J.Crew, L.L. Bean and Dickies. With all of the options out there, finding the right pair can be daunting. Then there are the various colors of chinos.

To be clear, khaki is a color, chino is the style of pant. Proper chinos are 100 percent cotton twill. Today, chino’s come in a wide range of colors but khaki is still a staple. British Khaki, which is a bit darker in color, never really gets the attention it deserves.

Why we love it: Darker colors hide more spills and tend to get better with age It can also make you look slimmer Because it is darker it is closer to denim and can be a nice alternative when you are out on a hike or just a night out at the local brewery.

Also called “tobacco” or “tan,” this is a great color to set you apart from the golfing group and can make a little bolder statement. Also, it won’t wash you out if you are really fair skinned.

Here are five styles that we are fond of that do darker chinos well. No matter what your body type, we have you covered.

Skinny

Match Slim Tapered Stretchy Tan Chino

Match makes a sharp looking chino that has a super tapered leg (without looking like meggings) in the perfect tan color. The medium weight of the fabric is great for year round wear.
$22.99 at Amazon.com

Solid

Goodthreads Straight Fit Washed Chino

When you are a little bigger it is best not to have a tapered leg, so this straight fit pant can’t be beat. It also has a little bit of stretch, which is much needed, no matter what size you are.
$34.54 at Amazon.com

Tall

Dockers Alpha Slim Tapered

Launched in 1986, Dockers came back into the game less than ten years ago and has certainly changed with the times. They have a wide range of colors and styles to choose from but the Alpha is our favorite. They sit a little below the waist and have just enough stretch to let you move through the day without constraint. The slim fit and tapered leg work well for guys with longer legs.
$68.00 at Amazon.com

Short

Peter Manning Slim Fit Chino

Manning specializes in clothes for guys who are 5’8” and under. These 100% cotton slim fit chinos are broken in and comfortable right out of the box and thanks to their abundance of sizing options, rarely need alterations.
$98.00 at PeterManningNYC.com

Muscular

Bluff Works Tailored Travel Pants

You can literally do yoga in these pants. We wear these chinos every time we travel so we can be comfortable on the plane and still look wrinkle-free when we exit the airport. All that stretch is great for the Crossfit kind of guy who has a bit of a booty.
$98 Bluffworks.com