The Very Best Men’s Chinos

Waist sizes 26–38 | Inseam sizes 28–36 | Flat front | Straight leg | 97% cotton, 3% elastane 

As a “Northeastern preppy American kid,” WM Brown founding editor Matt Hranek told us that he’s lived in chinos his entire life. He says he’s tried “every incarnation — expensive and otherwise” and finally found his perfect pair at the resurgent teen (and tween) favorite Abercrombie and Fitch. But Hranek promises these are not your cologne-soaked Abercrombie chinos from yesteryear: “The new designer they brought in to make the brand a little less ‘shirtless men and perfume’ has a long history in menswear,” he tells us, adding that Abercrombie’s chinos now feature “great construction and perfect sizing.” Because they have a little stretch, Hranek says they feel “like pajamas” but assures us that the twill cotton fabric is sturdy — “kind of bulletproof” are his exact words — “and definitely carbonara-spill-proof.” Hranek is partial to the classic straight fit, which he owns in “every shade of tan.” (Abercrombie’s chinos are also available in skinny, super-skinny, and athletic-skinny cuts, and in a variety of neutral colors.)

Waist sizes 28–58 | Inseam sizes 28–39 | Flat front | Straight leg | 65% polyester, 35% cotton

Two of our panelists enthusiastically endorsed the classic 874 work pants from Dickies, which Noah Johnson, a senior editor at GQ, told us are the “ultimate egalitarian chino.” He appreciates that they come in different inseam lengths ranging from 28 to 39 inches, meaning that even people who are on the shorter side might be able to avoid going to a tailor to have them hemmed, and taller people will likely still find a pair that’s long enough (note that the 37- and 39-inch inseams will come unhemmed). Johnson also appreciates the “subtle sheen” of the fabric and the “flawless factory crease” you will find in any new pair. Fashion writer and DJ Isaac Hindin-Miller also loves Dickies — and has since he was a teen: “They are the sturdiest pants on the market, they’re stain-resistant, classic, and will never go out of style.” Hindin-Miller adds that he wears his favorite 874s in white all year round, “Labor Day be damned,” but they come in more than a dozen colors to suit all seasons and tastes.

Waist sizes 27–42 | Inseam size 34, with free alterations | Flat front | Slim fit | 60% cotton, 37% polyester, 3% Spandex 

When we asked UX designer Nehemiah Blackburn who makes his favorite chinos, his answer was the same one we often hear when discussing men’s basics: “Uniqlo, Uniqlo, Uniqlo.” Blackburn says he has worn the same pair of these slim-fit chinos for three years, and they’re “still in great shape.” They’re made of cotton, polyester, and spandex to provide comfort and stretch. The inseam for all sizes is set at 34 inches by default, but if you know exactly what length you need, you can order them online and Uniqlo will shorten them to your preferred length (from 16 inches to 32.5 inches in half-inch increments) for free. Uniqlo also offers free in-store hemming within 30 days of your purchase and “usually turns them around in a single day,” according to Blackburn. Nicolás Lazaro, a community specialist at the menswear-resale platform Grailed, is also a fan of Uniqlo’s chinos, telling us they are the first pair of “non-Dockers” chinos he ever bought. He calls them “the best under-$100 chinos you’ll find anywhere,” adding that “with a little tailoring or a folded cuff, they can look as good, if not better than, most luxury options.”

Waist sizes 28–40 | Inseam sizes 28–36 | Flat front | Athletic cut | 97% cotton, 3% elastane

If you tend to feel like some chinos are too tight in the thigh area, these stretch chinos from Bonobos might offer a more comfortable fit. Calvin Stowell, the 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 taper or straight design for a more fitted option. Kenger also likes Bonobos’ collection of chinos for the sheer number of choices in terms of fit, sizes, and colors (more than a dozen), so “you’re bound to find something.”

Waist sizes 28–44 | Inseam sizes 29–34 | Pleated front | Relaxed fit | 100% cotton

Ralph Lauren’s chinos came up a lot in our research, with different guys each recommending different pairs. If you like a wider leg, brand consultant Kapil Sehgal suggests these relaxed-fit chinos. He calls them a wardrobe staple and says their “soft cotton-twill fabric is super comfortable, and their oversize fit is perfect for working from home.” Sehgal, who has worked in menswear for 13 years, adds that pleated chinos are very “of the moment” for 2022: “The trend in menswear for the past few seasons has been toward oversize, comfortable fits, and I don’t see that changing for a while.” Embrace the pleats and the relaxed fits and let them drape over you. The Ralph Lauren Whitman Chino is available in four different colors: white, aqua, forest green, and tan.

Waist sizes 28–38 | Inseam sizes regular or long | Pleated | Relaxed fit | 98% cotton, 2% elastane

Strategist writer Jeremy Rellosa loves his Alex Mill chinos, which he has been able to wear on repeat throughout three of the last four seasons (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. Because the single pleats are so subtle, 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 very 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.”

Waist sizes 28–36 | Inseam sizes 30–34 | Flat front | Slim fit | Cotton and elastane blend

According to Strategist contributor Chris Black, you can’t say chino without paying respect to J.Crew, a brand known for preppy basics that are “usually on sale.” The 484 Slim-Fit Stretch Chino is made of a cotton-and-elastane blend to offer some stretch. The pants have a slim cut throughout the thighs and legs — perfect if you’re looking for a foil to the relaxed chinos from Polo Ralph Lauren. Black describes 484s as “not exactly light” but still “fine in the warmer months.” They come in 12 colors, including black, navy, lighter and darker shades of khaki, and an olive-toned Catskill Green.

Waist sizes 28–38 | Inseam sizes 30–34 | Flat front | Straight fit | 85% Tencel, 15% linen 

This pair of lighter-weight chinos came recommended to us by model Dougie Joseph, who says he can wear them all summer “without overheating.” According to Joseph, that’s because Australian brand Venroy makes them “from a mixture of linen and Tencel, so they don’t have that usual heavy feel of cotton chinos.” He goes on: “The Tencel-linen fabric creates a whole new realm of comfort, while also giving the chinos a unique look.” The Venroy Lounge chino has a straight cut throughout the leg and an elastic waistband for additional comfort, putting a spin on a more traditional structured chino.

Sizes XS–XXL | Inseam sizes regular and tall | Flat front | Tapered fit | 54 % Linen, 44 % Cotton, and 2 % Elastic 

Though Dorin’s ideal pair of chinos is from Italian luxury brand Loro Piana (and costs over $500), he is also a fan of these more modestly priced loungy chinos from American designer Todd Snyder. Part of the brand’s Traveler series, they are made using a blend of cotton and linen from Italy’s famed Solbiati mill, and they have a touch of stretch that gives them a handsome drape — and makes them perfect for situations where you want to be comfortable but still look a bit polished, like on a long-haul flight. The drawstring and elastic waist certainly aren’t typical for chinos, but the hemmed cuffs and back button pockets very much are. In terms of quality, comfort, and style, Dorin says he’s been “very pleased” with the pants and has been “throwing them on for almost every flight as of late.” And though he’s not usually the most casual dresser, he told us he’s even come around to the elastic waist (when appropriate).

Waist sizes 44–54 (based on European sizing) | Custom inseam length | Pleats | Straight fit | 100% cotton

Several guys have told us how much they love Stoffa, a New York City–based clothing brand that sells made-to-order menswear. Sehgal says the brand’s cotton trouser is an elevated chino that he wears when he wants something more formal than his Ralph Laurens. He likes that they are “comfortable and can be dressed up and down,” adding that “the price is a great value for a made-to-order trouser if you’re very particular about fit.” Each pair is cut and sewn in Pavia, Italy, by a third-generation trouser-maker. They have a single pleat, a straight fit, and side adjusters that allow you to tighten or loosen the waistband; you can also choose from a handful of colors and decide whether you want a plain hem, cuffed hem, or unfinished pant break. (Note that Stoffa’s made-to-order service takes approximately five weeks from the order date.)

Waist sizes 29–38 | Inseams vary | Pleats | Straight fit | 98% cotton, 2% elastane

Atelier & Repairs upcycles vintage denim and chinos by making any necessary repairs and then applying small embroideries, patches, and clever detailing to make them unique. This particular pair of repurposed vintage Dockers has a strip of woodland camo running along the outer seam. Podcast host Jeremy Kirkland is a fan, as is Bergdorf Goodman men’s fashion director Bruce Pask, who told us his go-to pair of chinos come from the brand. “They’re quiet enough to be my go-tos but with enough originality to stand apart,” Pask says. If, like Pask, you seek chinos that are “fuller, with wider, straight legs,” he says Atelier & Repairs may be the brand for you, because it has “a broad variety” of styles in that fit, “ranging from more colorful and statement-y to more subtle, like mine.” Waist sizes range from 29 to 38, but there are no inseam measurements or a sizing guide available on the brand’s website, so we recommend you contact Atelier & Repair for more details before you order.