We all love blue jeans, but there's more to pants than just selvedge and sick fades. The best chinos for men are a great reminder that it's good—nay, healthy!—to switch up your pant rotation and give your denim a break. Chinos were designed to withstand the rigorous demands of military personnel during WWII. They were durable, comfortable, and, as post-war civilians would discover, pretty stylish—a familiar tale of the military-to-menswear arc.
Students attending some of America's most prestigious universities helped cement chinos in Ivy fashion. They have even become a symbol of dad style in all its schlubby, normcore glory. Today, chinos pair just as seamlessly with a beefy Oxford cloth button-down and slip-ons as they do with a grubby graphic tee and scuffed sneakers. They can even clean up with a blazer and loafers for an upstate, dressed-down wedding. If you think about it, chinos are just as durable and even more versatile than blue jeans.
You'd do well to have a pair or two or three in your rotation. We're not bereft of options, either. From the classic household names to impossibly expensive designer labels, straightforward silhouettes to head-turning fits, par-for-the-course details to off-kilter designs, chinos of all kinds are out there. Here are some of our favorite options right now.
The Best Men's Chino Pants, According to GQ
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Best Chinos Overall: J.Crew Classic Chino Pant
As far as we’re concerned, J.Crew’s chinos stand alone in virtually every category. The fabric is crisp and dense, decidedly not flimsy yet feels lived in. The construction is on par with other chinos that cost more than double, and the silhouette is an unimpeachable classic straight-fit that’s roomy but tailored—noticeably more room than a pair of Levi’s 501 jeans, but distinctively less baggy than the brand’s viral Giant-fit chinos (which are also tremendous). They come in a grip of classic office-approved colors but you can expect to see some seasonal prints and fabrics throughout the year. For a hair under a hundred bones, they’re the best value for miles.
J.Crew's wildly viral Giant-Fit chinos elicited a whole lot of buzz when they debuted, says GQ senior commerce editor Avidan Grossman. “But most of the menswear-pilled monsters I know prefer the more classic version," which comes sans cuff, and rendered in a hardy, broken-in cotton that's crisper than a welcome spring breeze. “The fabric alone is worth the price of admission,” Grossman notes, “but perfectly dialed fit and the attention to detail—peep the era-authentic flap pockets!—is part and parcel of the Crew's Babenzian era.” Grossman spent months looking for chinos exactly like this in a tricky-to-find shade of washed gray, before hightailing it to the mall to end his journey for good. Save yourself the headache and start there first.
| Fit | Relaxed straight |
| Material | 100% cotton |
| Details | Zip fly, flat front |
| Colors | Varies |
| Sizes | 28-44 waist; 30-36 length |
Best Budget Chinos: Dockers Classic Fit Easy Khaki Pants
Dockers’ monk-like dedication to the business casual pant has made it the go-to chinos brand for decades. Favored by corporate dweebs and dads in fisherman sandals, the perennially uncool guys of the world, Dockers aren’t exactly a beacon of the fashion avant garde. But it turns out those guys are totally right. Which makes them the actually-cool fashionistas hiding right under our noses. Dockers has meditated and iterated on the chino to the point of near perfection and, somehow, at a price that will leave you with plenty of shekels to spend.
These pleated options have sharp double pleats that give them an old school feel with more room to bust a move during casual Fridays. They have a classic rise and relaxed straight leg fit which is perfect for pairing with a tucked-in button-up or over a cropped jacket to highlight the golden proportions. And while we aren’t saying they’re nearly as good as some of the high-falutin’ designer options on the market, they’re cut pretty damned close (and for a tenth of the price).
| Fit | Relaxed straight |
| Material | 64% Cotton, 34% Polyester, 2% Elastane |
| Details | Zip fly, pleated front |
| Colors | Varies |
| Sizes | 30-58 waist; 28-36 length |
Best Upgrade Chinos: Todd Snyder Relaxed Fit Selvedge Chinos
J.Crew’s chinos are great for all the reasons we’ve already talked about. But if you want to upgrade your rig with better materials, an even better fit, and better construction, you should buy the Todd Snyder Relaxed Fit Chinos. They’re made with a medium weight Japanese selvedge twill that’s got a soft drape and peachy hand. The fit takes after mid-century chinos and khakis with a rise that reaches your natural waist and a wide leg that splits the difference between J.Crew’s classic chino and their Giant-fit chinos.
Truth be told, I've amassed a small museum of chinos, and I love vintage chinos for their loose cut and superior quality, and these Todd's selvedge chinos are on par. Plus, you don’t have to spend hours digging through thrift stores. For about $300, they’re certainly an investment, one we think is worth it for the quality. But if that’s too rich for your blood, we also like Todd Snyder’s relaxed fit Favorite Chino, which runs at $188 and has the same fit and nearly identical details, minus the fancy Japanese fabric.
| Fit | Loose, wide-leg |
| Material | 100% cotton, Japanese selvedge twill |
| Details | Button fly, flat front |
| Colors | Khaki, black, olive, white |
| Sizes | 28-38 waist; 30-34 length |
Best Pleated Chinos: Noah Twill Double-Pleat Pants
We like to view Noah’s stance on menswear as contemporary prep by way of skateboarding. A graphic tee of a subcultural legend here, a boarding school blazer there, and you’ve got the NYC brand in a very condensed nutshell. Its roster of brow-raising preppy-punk updates is massive fun, but Noah’s more straightahead core items help anchor the brand with classic proportions, high-quality materials, and rock-solid construction.
Case in point, these double-pleat pants. Made in Portugal using a hefty cotton twill, they feature a classic rise, a full leg and straight silhouette, they’re just as compelling as any of Noah’s more prodding SKUs. The material is sturdy and smooth which gives the pant a clean drape—crucial when it comes to the hem-to-shoe interaction. Speaking of which, our main complaint is that these only come in a single, fixed length. So you’d better pray that they’re not too short or be prepared to take them to the tailor.
| Fit | Loose, wide-leg |
| Material | 100% cotton twill |
| Details | Zip fly, pleated front |
| Colors | Varies |
| Sizes | 26-36 waist; fixed length |
Best Wide-Leg Chinos: Studio Nicholson Sorte Trousers
We present to you the ultimate capital-F Fashion chinos: the Studio Nicholson Sorte trousers. The cut is as wide as a California highway with a high rise, the Italian peached cotton fabric is miles away from most chinos you’ll encounter (in a good way), and the design is clean but far from boring thanks to its deep, deep pleats, rear patch pockets, and widened belt loops.
The result is a pair of chinos that leans into formality and workwear in equal measure—the duality of man! While most chinos might be too dusty for the more experienced fashion guy, the Sorte trousers are ones that you’d definitely find in their closets, whether their style is quiet luxury, preppy, streetwear, or avant-garde.
| Fit | Wide-leg |
| Material | 100% cotton twill |
| Details | Zip fly, pleated front |
| Colors | Khaki, black, white |
| Sizes | 30-40 |
Best Chinos for Dudes Who Hate Chinos: Dickies 874 Work Pants
If you want to squeeze the most green out of your hard-earned dollars, the best budget chinos have to be a hardy pair of Dickies 874s. Are they technically work pants? Sure. Will most people be able to tell the difference? No, especially if you wear it with an untucked shirt or with a blazer.
The iconic workwear label has been making its 874 pants for decades, outfitting jobsites for generations, but just because they’re made for hard manual labor doesn’t mean they can’t hold their own around an air-conditioned office. The pants have a mid-high rise with a slightly relaxed straight leg and a permanent center crease—all the makings for a solid dress pant. The Dickies 874 is a poly-cotton blend that’s stiff and a bit rough, but has a sheen that cleans up real nice. Not only are they affordable, they come in a ton of different colors so you can stock the rainbow if you really wanted to.
For what it's worth, I think the Dickies 874 are one of his best-fitting pants, period. They’re damn-near perfect, and I’ve even worn them to formal events as a dress pant and they looked great. If you’re in a pinch and need some tailored pants fast, you could cop these at your local army surplus store or have them shipped quick with Prime shipping.
| Fit | Straight |
| Material | 65% polyester, 35% cotton |
| Details | Zip fly, flat front |
| Colors | Varies |
| Sizes | 28-52 waist; 28-36 length |
More Chinos We Love
GAP
Heavyweight Twill Relaxed Straight Khakis
Who could forget Gap's famous Khakis campaign from the 90s? Great marketing helped sell a lot of khakis, but it wouldn't have been a success if it weren't for a great product. Today, Gap still makes great khakis (or, if you will, chinos). These are made from a hefty 10-ounce cotton twill and cut with a relaxed, but not baggy silhouette.
Knickerbocker
Canal Tapered TwillForm Pant
We've always had a soft spot for Knickerbocker's chinos and these newer joints are a great update to the brand's Canal pant. They're made with a custom gabardine material that's woven tightly to help stave off wrinkles. And because they're all-cotton, they won't have that cheap-feeling finish you'd associate with most wrinkle-free pants.
Drake's
Heavy Cotton Flat Front Chino
When the sartorial wonks at Drake's apply their tailoring prowess to a casual pair of pants, the result is a pair of chinos that are elevated to stratospheric heights. We're talking beefy Italian cotton twill, side-adjuster tabs, corozo nut buttons, ultra-clean construction throughout. They'll cost you a shiny penny, but what you get in return is even prettier.
Buzz Rickson
1942 Early Military Wide Leg Chinos
The diehard vintage guys already know that Buzz Rickson is elite when it comes to reproductions of classic militaria and workwear. These ‘40s-inspired chinos feature period-correct details like tin buttons, all-cotton sewing thread, and a silhouette that’s true to the era—high-waisted and very baggy.
What to Look for in a Great Pair of Chinos
Brian Davis, owner of vintage store Wooden Sleepers, is among the most knowledgeable menswear guys in general, but also a huge nerd (complimentary) when it comes to chinos. “Chino’s have really been put through the cultural ringer. People need to be reminded that chino started out as workwear and military uniform. They were designed to be rugged.” Though chinos these days stray further and further away from its roots and have heaps of sacrilegious synthetics and non-iron treatments, there’s still hope in spite of it all.
A classic pair of chinos is usually made from a mid-weight cotton twill fabric that fall smack dab in between a typical shirting fabric and your average pair of blue jeans. (For the nerds, that’s about 8-ounces). They’ll fit like a well-tailored trouser, with a mid- or high-rise and, generally, a darted rear waist to hug your bum in the most flattering way. Many higher-quality chinos will also include a curtained waistband, which is an extra piece of fabric fixed to the inside of the waistband. This helps reinforce the waist, prevent it from rolling, keeps the pockets lying flat, and covers the inner seam work (don’t worry, it’s really not necessary).
In terms of fabric, heavier is generally better. “The old military chinos were made of an 8-ounce cotton twill,” Davis says. “This feels substantial, well-made and softens overtime.” While lighter materials are great for the hotter seasons, he has his opinions on that. “Also, fabric that is too lightweight is no good - too clingy and wimpy.” Davis also says to try and avoid synthetic and stretchy materials when you can because they won’t age as well as natural fabrics.
Fit is paramount, regardless of the garment, but chinos in particular. You want to make sure the fabric isn’t pulling anywhere, which would indicate the fit is too tight. But you also don’t want too much room in the crotch or seat lest you fall prey to dumpy butt or balloon lap. Today’s chino market has more silhouettes than any one person should really need to consider, but Davis lays it out simply. “Ideally, a chino should have a nice long rise and a full straight leg (8-9” opening). I always come back to that episode of Mad Men where Don was putting a playhouse together in a pair of mil-surplus chinos and a tucked in white tee—perfection!”
How We Test and Review Products
Style is subjective, we know—that’s the fun of it. But we’re serious about helping our audience get dressed. Whether it’s the best white sneakers, the flyest affordable suits, or the need-to-know menswear drops of the week, GQ Recommends’ perspective is built on years of hands-on experience, an insider awareness of what’s in and what’s next, and a mission to find the best version of everything out there, at every price point.
Our staffers aren’t able to try on every single piece of clothing you read about on GQ.com (fashion moves fast these days), but we have an intimate knowledge of each brand’s strengths and know the hallmarks of quality clothing—from materials and sourcing, to craftsmanship, to sustainability efforts that aren’t just greenwashing. GQ Recommends heavily emphasizes our own editorial experience with those brands, how they make their clothes, and how those clothes have been reviewed by customers. Bottom line: GQ wouldn’t tell you to wear it if we wouldn’t.
How We Make These Picks
We make every effort to cast as wide of a net as possible, with an eye on identifying the best options across three key categories: quality, fit, and price.
To kick off the process, we enlist the GQ Recommends braintrust to vote on our contenders. Some of the folks involved have worked in retail, slinging clothes to the masses; others have toiled for small-batch menswear labels; all spend way too much time thinking about what hangs in their closets.
We lean on that collective experience to guide our search, culling a mix of household names, indie favorites, and the artisanal imprints on the bleeding-edge of the genre. Then we narrow down the assortment to the picks that scored the highest across quality, fit, and price.
Across the majority of our buying guides, our team boasts firsthand experience with the bulk of our selects, but a handful are totally new to us. So after several months of intense debate, we tally the votes, collate the anecdotal evidence, and emerge with a list of what we believe to be the absolute best of the category right now, from the tried-and-true stalwarts to the modern disruptors, the affordable beaters to the wildly expensive (but wildly worth-it) designer riffs.
Whatever your preferences, whatever your style, there's bound to be a superlative version on this list for you. (Read more about GQ's testing process here.)
Best Chinos FAQ
How should chino pants fit?
Fit is all relative. But if that advice isn’t practical enough for you we suggest a few things. The best fit for most people is a classic straight fit, perhaps even a slightly relaxed fit. The silhouette du jour changes every few years, but if you split the difference and stick with a fit that’s middle-of-the-road, you’re much less likely to ruffle any feathers with your bosses, with the wedding party, and save yourself some embarrassment should you go down memory lane. At the end of the day, you should like what you see in the mirror.
What's the difference between chinos and khakis?
In short, chino is a fabric, and khaki is a color. However, two terms are typically used interchangeably to refer to a style of trouser. Both are usually made from a cotton-twill fabric with slanted hand pockets as well as welted pockets at the rear (as opposed to the patched pockets you'd find on a pair of jeans). But the menswear cognoscenti will tell you that khakis tend to use sturdier fabrics while chinos are slightly lighter. Not only that, khakis are tied to the dusty beige color from which they gets their name, so you’re more likely to see a pair of navy cotton twill pants dubbed as chinos rather than khakis.
Can I wear chinos to a wedding?
That depends on the wedding. Chinos aren't as dressy as suit pants, but if it's an outdoor wedding or if the wedding invite says to dress semi-formal or if it says ‘casual’ anywhere in the invite, chinos are a safe bet. But we'd advise that you wear your chinos with a button-up shirt and a tie at the very least, if not with a matching cotton blazer.
Production Credits
Photographs by Bowen Fernie and Natalie Piserchio
Styled by Tyler Austin
Grooming by Laramie using RéVive and Oribe