As we’ve explored in a couple of other posts, chinos offer a versatile, timeless, and stylish staple for a gentleman’s wardrobe. But only if you get the fit right and wear them in the right combination with other pieces. While it is not hard to use this garment as the centerpiece for casual, smart casual, and even more formal looks, it’s equally easy to wear chinos the wrong way, which can leave you looking frumpy, sloppy, and un-stylish. In this article, we’ll go over what to wear with chinos so you can maximize the style of this piece in your outfits.
We’ll look at the different style scenarios and explore which type of chinos work best and what you should look to pair with them in each situation. As always, you should feel free to experiment a little, get some feedback, and keep adjusting your look to best express your personality.
Casual
Dressing down chinos can give off a relaxed, effortless vibe that still comes across as put-together. For these looks, know what to wear with standard cotton chinos can give your casual outfits a little more style.
For the most dressed-down look, you can go with some clean white sneakers and a t-shirt that coordinates well with your complexion and outfit (pale skin clothing colors, darker skin clothing colors). Henleys work well too, if that is more your style.
While white sneakers are the safest bet, you can experiment with other neutral colors like grey, navy, or black, or go with something a little bolder like red or blue. It’s a relaxed look, so feel free to have fun. If you do sport bolder colors, remember to keep it to one part of your outfit and go neutral with the rest. It’s easy to go overboard and create a visually overwhelming outfit if you wear too many bright, clashing colors. If in doubt, stick with neutral colors. See how the gentlemen below execute this look with simplicity.
This type of outfit works best for running errands, a relaxed coffee or lunch, a picnic in the park, or attending a sporting event. Feel free to roll up the cuff on your chinos, as some of the gentlemen above have done, for an even more relaxed look.
Smart casual
When thinking of what to wear with chinos for smart casual looks, you can swap in some loafers, boat shoes, or chukka boots alongside a polo shirt or casual button down (like an oxford collar or poplin button down). Feel free to tuck either in or leave untucked depending on how relaxed you want to go. The only rule for tucking in – if the length of the shirt extends more than halfway down your pant crotch, definitely tuck it in. Otherwise you can keep it untucked for relaxed situation, or tuck it in to clean up the look a bit.
This level of smart casual dress works well for a variety of situations. You’ll rarely be overdressed in something like this, and these types of outfits can work for dates, some drinks with friends, a house party, or a night on the town.
Feel free to throw on a casual blazer or sport coat if the occasion requires a slightly dressier look. Events like an engagement party, an upscale dinner, or a nice night out may require a bit more formality. In these situations, chinos work perfectly with a blazer or sport coat to keep the look polished but not too stuffy.
Business casual
Most people associate dressier wool trousers with business casual attire, but chinos can work for this situation too. This of course depends on your place of work and how much you can tone down typical business casual wear.
Even in more conservative work environments, like banking or law, you could get away with sporting a dressier pair of chinos. But make sure you follow a few basic rules.
- Opt for smoother, dressier cotton fabrics.
- Details like a front crease, a pleat or two (optional), and an extended front button tab will increase the level of dressiness.
- Dial in the fit. Chinos that are too big/baggy or too long (pooling around the ankles) look sloppy. Take these to a tailor. You want clean lines that give your legs some shape. It’s equally important to avoid chinos that are too tight and constricting. Both of these errors will make you look unprofessional.
- Stick to darker colors, like dark grey and navy, or a conservative khaki color. These colors fit a professional environment better.
Wearing dressier chinos for business casual looks can bring a little extra comfort, a slightly more relaxed vibe (when appropriate), and a way to vary your day to day outfits a bit more.
Stick to your other normal attire when wearing chinos to work. Loafers or bluchers in smooth darker leather will match best for shoes. Wear a matching dress belt. And stick to your normal button-downs. It may make sense to throw on a blazer depending on the situation, if you really need to dress the look up.
Semi-formal
Dressier chinos can relax a semi-formal look just a bit. Since chinos come in many different colors, it’s also a way to add a little boldness and fun into your outfit for certain occasions.
For occasions like a rehearsal dinner, a graduation, or a casual wedding, the same dress chinos we recommend for business casual attire above will also work well here. The only difference is you can wear less conservative colors, like beige, stone, and white, or even go for slightly bolder, more fun colors like olive, sage, burgundy, bright blue, etc…
Again, keep the details of the chinos on the dressy side, and make sure the fit is well dialed-in.
As far as other items to pair with your dressier chinos, in this situation you have a few options. I highly recommend a blazer or sport coat. This piece brings up your look to the appropriate level of formality. It also adds a polished and masculine touch, and it sets you apart from the masses who sport a dress shirt and tie with no jacket (a very common fashion mistake).
A traditional navy blazer is always a safe bet, but you can check out some other different options and colors in this post. Don’t be afraid to go outside of the traditional navy blazer.
Tie is optional in this scenario. Pair with your dressier shoes like more formal loafers, bluchers, or even oxfords – you can go with smooth leather or suede. Dressier chukkas or even boots can work well too.
You can keep your shirt choice conservative (white or light blue button-down) or sport a patterned shirt. If your personality allows it, and the event is more fun-focused, a bolder colored shirt (yellow, pink, light green) can work too.
Warm weather vibes
Whether casual or dressy, when thinking of what to wear with chinos in warm weather, the choices are relatively straightforward. First of all, you should favor linen or linen blend pants for very hot weather. Otherwise, lighter weight chinos, and those made in a performance fabric blend, will work well.
A simple combo of t-shirts and sneakers will work well for very casual looks in this weather. To up the sophistication a bit, you can swap in some suede chukka boots or loafers and a lightweight summer polo shirt.
A short sleeve button down is also a good look for warm weather. You can have some fun with these. A bold print or even Hawaiian style or camp collar shirt goes well with casual chinos. Or you can stick with something more conservative. You also have the freedom to try a looser fit for go for a slimmer fit – but keep it reasonable either way.
For smart casual looks, you can go with a poplin or linen blend button-down (try to avoid too much linen on linen unless you’re on vacation). Throw a lightweight linen or cotton sport coat over your polo for something relaxed yet sophisticated. A lightweight blazer over a button down works well for your dressed up looks.
Suede or leather bluchers, loafers, or chukkas will work with anything from smart casual to dressy for warm weather, as hotter temperatures usually mean you can stick with more casual shoe styles. Sneakers and espadrilles work for your most casual outfits.
Cold weather looks
Knowing what to wear with chinos in cold weather can improve your style in a time when people are just trying to stay warm. Set yourself apart by looking good when the temperatures drop.
Obviously you should stick with heavier weight chinos for cool weather, and possibly flannel-lined chinos for very cold weather.
Your chino style will naturally lean a little dressier in these conditions, but you can dress down chinos with some plain sneakers or chukka boots and a plain, clean grey or navy sweatshirt. Throw on a darker neutral colored overcoat, pea coat, or other heavier outerwear (military jacket, car coat, shirt jacket, etc…) for a relaxed casual layered look.
Dress this type of outfit up a little with a crewneck merino or chunkier sweater (Shetland wool or cable knit, for example) and some boots, and you have a great smart casual look with chinos.
Throw on a dress shirt or oxford-collar button down to dress this up a little more. Then you can add a heavier flannel sport coat if you’re going for a more dressy casual look. Dress boots are a must in these conditions.
In cold weather, layers are your best friend. When in doubt, stick with neutral colors with maybe one bolder color. Let your ability to effectively layer and color coordinate give your outfit its appeal, rather than wearing anything too flashy in this type of weather.
Conclusion
Even though they offer incredible versatility, knowing what to wear with chinos can separate your style from the run of the mill looks most men wear. It’s easy to combine the other pieces in your wardrobe to create a stylish appearance. But getting it wrong is just as easy. Make sure to follow these guidelines to define your own style. Knowledge gives you confidence, and confidence is the most important accessory.
