The Very Best Men’s Chinos

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Sizing:Waist sizes 28–44, inseam sizes 28–34| Cut:Relaxed fit| Style:Flat front |Fabric:100% Cotton

J.Crew’s Classic chino is a versatile pair of pants that comfortably straddles the line between casual wear and semiformal attire. They have a gently tapered cut — inspired by WWII military uniforms — that’s as comfortable as it is flattering, and they’re sewn from a reassuringly dense, 100 percent cotton cloth that makes the pants feel more expensive than they are. They arrive with a soft, vintage feel that only improves with every wash.

I also appreciate that the Classic chino includes a lot of the little details that other pants in this price range leave out. The waistband is lined with a softer herringbone twill that’s more comfortable against bare skin and has an additional interior-facing French-bearer button, which keeps the front looking neat. Symmetrical double darts above both rear pockets improve the drape of the seat. The rear pockets themselves have buttoned flaps that add a touch of flair when closed — or you can tuck them into the welts for easier access. And the angled side pockets are ever so slightly easier to access than most. The pants are available in seven different colors and a wide range of sizes so you can find one pair (or many) to fit your style.

Sizing:Waist sizes 27–40, inseam size 34, with free alterations |Cut:Relaxed| Style:Flat front |Fabric:97% cotton, 3% spandex

The best part about modern-day Gap is its commitment to reinterpreting and releasing old Gap silhouettes. The Modern ’90s Loose Khakis are a great example of this initiative. They fit and feel similar to the J.Crew Classic chino and even come with button-flap rear pockets. But they are made from a noticeably thinner, slightly stretchy fabric and lack the Classic’s French-bearer button. They look and feel more breezy, which makes them a great pick for summer. But I wouldn’t recommend trying them with a sport coat. That’s fine, considering they retail for only $70. This brings me to the second-best part about modern Gap: the unceasing sales. I can’t recall seeing a single full-priced item on Gap.com in the past year and these pants are no exception. They’re only $41 as of this writing.

Sizing:Waist sizes 27–40, inseam size 34, with free alterations |Cut:Slim fit| Style:Flat front |Fabric:97% cotton, 3% spandex

What if I told you you could “solve” pants for $60? That’s basically the Uniqlo Slim-Fit Chino. These trousers only come in subdued tones, any of which allows their wearer to move through life unperturbed by any negative (or positive) clothing-related attention.

They fit on the more relaxed side of slim — other brands might call it a “straight” fit — and have some stretch. They come in waist sizes as narrow as 27 inches and as wide as 40. However, most people will have to get the 34-inch inseam hemmed to fit. Thankfully, Uniqlo offers this service free with purchases above $20.

Sizing:Waist sizes 28–38, inseam size 32.5, with free alterations| Cut:High-rise relaxed fit| Style:Flat front |Fabric:100% cotton

When I asked style writer Derek Guy, better known asTwitter’s “menswear guy,”about pants that excite him right now, Buck Mason was near the top of his list: “They have this ‘full saddle’ cut I really like.”SeveranceactorAdam Scottis also a fan. And after testing them myself, so am I.

The Paperback Twill is a faithful recreation of the pants issued to military officers in the early half of the 20th century, complete with a button fly and welted coin pocket. The name comes from the crisp and densely woven fabric, which crinkles artfully if left unironed. The truly high rise (over 12 inches in most sizes), combined with the roomy seat and gently tapered leg, results in a reassuring and flattering fit that was previously only available through Japanese brands dedicated to reproducing vintage Americana like the Real McCoy’s or Oni Denim — real nerd stuff. I like them paired with welted leather shoes and the type of workwear-inspired button-down shirts, polos, and chore coats that guys like to dissect in Instagram comments these days, but they read a bit too casual to mesh with a more formal blazer and dress shirt.

Sizing:Waist sizes 30-44, inseam size 34| Cut:Straight| Style:Flat front |Fabric:100% cotton

While Ralph Lauren and J.Crew have done more to popularize prep style in mainstream culture, they owe a great debt to J. Press for essentially defining the genre of Ivy League prep. The brand was originally founded at Yale University in 1902 — where it still has astorefront— by a Latvian rabbinical student who found his true calling as a tailor. The brand has stayed true to its original ethos of casual-friendly formal clothes through every trend cycle of the past century, finding a large fanbase in Japan that sustained them through the rise of casual sportswear in the West. These American-made, 100 percent chinos embody this ethos with a trim cut that requires no stretch to achieve a comfortable, tailored profile. These flat front pants are exquisitely sewn and can be pressed down the middle for a more formal look. They come with a 34-inch inseam that’s meant to be hemmed to fit and are available in waist sizes 30-44. J. Press recommends sizing up because they may shrink a bit after the first wash, although I didn’t notice too much shrinkage.

Sizing:Waist sizes 26–58, inseam sizes 28–36| Cut:Straight fit| Style:Flat front |Fabric:65% polyester, 35% cotton

These poly-blend pants are designed for working in, but the relaxed fit and abrasion resistance make them ideal for repeatedly falling onto pavement — i.e., skateboarding. Although originally popularized by skaters, pants this cheap that look this good were bound to cross over into the mainstream. They come in a wide variety of waist sizes, inseam lengths, and colors, ranging from khaki to camo. I was reminded while testing a pair over the summer that the high polyester content leads to low breathability. But that’s a small price to pay for, well, a small price.

Sizing:Waist sizes 24–44, inseam sizes 29–34| Cut:Tapered fit| Style:Pleated |Fabric:100% cotton

Pleated Polo Ralph Lauren khakis are consistently among my favorite thrift finds because they are well-crafted and age beautifully. The relaxed fit, unisex Whitman is just the latest in a long line of these pants from the progenitor of modern prep style. In addition to the subtle pleats, the button-flap coin pocket is a nice detail. They’re made from a superbly soft, summer-friendly medium-weight fabric that crisps right up with a few passes of an iron for more formal occasions. Or leave it rumpled and style it with a slouchy Oxford. You could get away with a T-shirt, but leather shoes will work better than more athletic sneakers.

Sizing:Waist sizes 28–38, inseam sizes regular or long |Cut:Relaxed fit |Style:Pleats |Fabric:98% cotton, 2% elastane

Of all the elevated basics brands that one hears about and sees frequently in North Brooklyn these days, Alex Mill is among the most universally beloved. It puts equal attention on both its men’s and women’s lines, which meet in the middle at itsmonogrammed tote bag— basically a fashion icon on these streets. The standard pleated chinos have a relaxed, tapered fit that’s perfectly on trend, subtle pleats that can be accentuated with a tucked top — or hidden under a long tee, and come in a selection of tastefully washed, slightly stretchy fabrics. I would prefer to see 100 percent cotton at this price, but they hold up well over time according to tasteful guys who swear by them.

Strategist associate editor Jeremy Rellosa loves his Alex Mill chinos, which he has been able to wear on repeat throughout the fall, spring, and summer because of the looser, airier fit in the thigh. If you’re looking to dip a toe into the world of pleated pants, these are the chinos for you. Rellosa says he can dress them up or down and, depending on how high or low he wears them on his waist, he can really show off the pleats or hide them. They have a little bit of stretch for comfort and a flap coin pocket adds a unique detail. When we asked Rellosa to tell us more about the cropped length, he noted that the cuffed hem is stitched around the ankle, so you won’t be able to uncuff the pants unless you’re handy with a seam ripper. But he’s into the look. “I ended up liking the cropped length because I can show off my socks on taller boots like my Blundstones or desert boots. And the cropped length looks great with loafers too.”

Sizing:Waist sizes 28–46, inseam sizes 28–36 |Cut:Athletic fit| Style:Flat front |Fabric:92% cotton, 8% spandex

Bonobos are perfect for the kind of guy who craves the familiar comfort of a personal uniform, but still wants to express some flair by swapping in different colors and patterns. When selecting a pair, one is confronted by nearly as many options as a new car configurator. You can choose between eight “icon” colors, another eight seasonal options, and another handful of discounted past-season shades. Then there are six different cuts ranging from the skinny-adjacent “slim taper” to the relaxed fit “classic.” Finally, waist sizing ranges from 28 to 46 inches, while inseams can be had in two-inch increments ranging from 28 to 36. (And that’s just for the Chino 2.0. The three other chinos vary in fabric and pocket layout, but offer a similar level of configurability.)

Calvin Stowell, chief growth officer at the Trevor Project, says that his bigger size means most chinos don’t fit him well, but chinos from Bonobos “fit nicely over my butt and thighs without being too baggy at the ankle and last longer in the seat than other chinos.” He prefers the brand’s “athletic” cut for its roominess, but you can also choose from a slim, slim taper, straight, or tailored designs. Patrick Kenger, personal stylist atPivot Image Consulting, also likesBonobos’ collection of chinosfor the sheer number of choices in terms of fit, sizes, and colors (more than a dozen), so “you’re bound to find something.” The Bonobos Stretch Washed chinos are still made of mostly cotton, but they have more stretch — 8 percent spandex — than any of the other pairs on this list. This means they are more forgiving and comfortable (and designed to resist wrinkles) but that they may not last as long as a pair with less stretch.

Sizing:Waist sizes 27–40, inseam size 28.5, with free alterations |Cut:Wide fit| Style:Flat front |Fabric:100% cotton

Some people look great in wide-fit pants, while others do not. What’s more important than hopping on the trend is figuring out if a type of pant looks good on you. It’s best to go with an affordable and returnable option, such as these Uniqlo U pants. They are wide enough to be a bit flow-y, but not so wide that you’ll look cartoonish. Despite their low price, they are still made from 100 percent cotton twill that feels soft and crisp compared to the almost denimlike texture of J.Crew’s Giant Chino. The standard 28.5-inch inseam version is available in a wide range of sizes and colors, and there’s also atall versionwith a 32.5-inch inseam — both include complimentary hemming service. (Note that these pants are meant to be a bit cropped so that the wide hems have room to flow as you walk.) I got a pair of black ones when they first came out a few years ago, and the color has held up well over time, fading only a bit in the wash.

Sizing:Waist sizes 28–38, inseam sizes 32–34| Cut:Tapered fit| Style:Flat front |Fabric:100% cotton

San Francisco–based Taylor Stitch can always be relied upon to produce well-crafted, California-inspired men’s clothes, and the Democratic Foundation pant has been a core part of their lineup since the beginning. These durable, 100 percent chinos are garment-dyed, which means color is added after the garment is fully sewn, resulting in subtle variations that lend them a vintage vibe straight from the factory — especially in the darker shades. My espresso brown testing pair was soft from day one and has only improved with each wash. They are a bit roomier in the seat, but otherwise on the trimmer side of a straight cut. If you’re considering a slim or skinny fit, I’d recommend trying these first.

Sizing:Waist sizes 28–40, inseam sizes 32.5| Cut:Tapered fit| Style:Flat front |Fabric:97% Nylon, 3% Elastane

There are a lot of 100 percent synthetic “chinos” out there that aren’t worth buying. However, Outlier started this trend with its European milled tech fabric pants back in 2008, and its version remains the best because the brand put more thought into how these materials feel and move on a person’s body than competitors making similar garments. Notably, the slightly stretchy nylon-based “Futurecloth” fabric is textured so it feels less artificial than similar materials used by other brands and, based on my yearslong experience with previous versions of these pants, doesn’t lose shape over time. I pack these lightweight, breathable, wrinkle-resistant trousers whenever I’m traveling for more than a few days because they look fine, feel comfortable in a broad range of climates, and can be rolled up tightly without risking wrinkles. They fit like a traditional straight cut, which is a bit roomier and more flattering than the slim fits on most pants of this kind. They also dry really quickly and can be tumble dried on low if you’re in a hurry — perfect for doing laundry on the go.