I grabbed a pair of the merona tailored fit chinos from target just to try the look. The fit is great and they are fairly lightweight. The problem is they are $25, and you could likely do better for the price. I bought them on a whim so I didn't really care.
That's funny I'm not the only one wondering this, I haven't worn chino's since...I went golfing many months ago and have no desire to wear them again. I find having nice fitting raw denim really looks good with most casual outfits now, and work is wool pants only.
Now having Lands end chinos and Tommy H only that may be why I dislike them as well, will definitely give it another go with lighter colours! The best buy commerical sums up the khaki colour sterotype for me though
I am not a huge fan of chinos either. I also think they get lost in the ether between jeans and slacks. In todays world chinos can be replaced with Jeans or Slacks depending on where you are going.
That being said, I too have been trying to get a pair of chinos that works for me and finding it difficult to say the least. The Alpha's were too slim.
I bought a pair of Levi 505 Trousers, they are khaki colored and technically not jeans. But they are too casual to classify as chinos IMO. (i.e. couldn't wear them in place of slacks). But they have filled the chino void for casual wear.
I'm honestly baffled that y'all find it hard to wear chinos. I'm 26 and wear chinos all the time, either casually or smart casual with a sporty blazer and tie. In my work life, I need to wear something more professional than jeans but I will typically know in advance whether I need to wear business attire on any given day (jacket/trousers or suit). Chinos are a good option for when you need to look presentable and professional, but still feel casual and comfortable.
The key to chinos as a younger man is, as others have pointed out, finding a flattering fit and getting some color variety outside the standard khaki tan.
Last edited by LesserBlackDog; January 3rd, 2013 at 10:40 AM.
BenR
What BenR said. Also, if you don't like chinos, nobody (hopefully) will make you wear them -- go with what you like and what you're comfortable in, and you'll come off as confident. That being said, what's wrong with looking like you're in your 30s?
(Note: not yet 30, but I prefer to look/dress my age or older, versus the alternative)
I'm the same way. I'm 25 and wear chinos mostly every day to work. Basically all of my chinos are from Frank & Oak right now because their Medium fit is perfect for me.Originally Posted by LesserBlackDog
I'm in my early 30's and ultimately I think it's a matter of finding what works for you based on both taste and circumstance. For some jobs/lifestyles, chinos wouldn't make much sense. For my job, where you can wear just about anything, they strike a good balance between casual and formal.
I tend to wear mine with pieces that are also casually formal like OCBD's, cotton blazers, knit ties, cardigans, etc. But I do find myself wearing khaki-colored chinos the least among my 6 or so pairs. The stigma, for me, is not just that they're part of a retail uniform but that khakis and a blue blazer is also the "dressing up" uniform of reluctant male dressers.
In terms of chino recs, I really like the fit of the BR Kentfield and the BR Vintage Straight line. As far as I can tell, the two lines are identical in terms of fit.
I had this same problem. If you want something that reads younger, buy your chinos from abercrombie. Their more stylized coloring, artificial fraying and skinny fit are anything but old and stodgy. Of course then you run the risk of looking too young. But it would all depend on how you dress the item up or down with other items.
Plus you are young.
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