When you think of chinos, the first thing that comes to mind is the ready to wear versions from the likes of Ralph Lauren. These sit at the more casual end of the sartorial scale, but they are often worn in a professional environment. They are fairly innocuous, bland items of clothing, particularly in the typical beige colour. They can be worn well, but they are usually chosen by men who don’t want to out much thought into their clothes. This article will discuss a more formal, sartorial version of these trousers: the tailored cotton trouser, or chino.

Whereas chinos are made from a fairly ‘sturdy’ cotton, we can get cotton trousers in a more refined cotton and constructed in a more elegant fashion. Chinos are derived from workwear and they are typically designed primarily for comfort rather than style. The main points to look for in these trousers compared to chinos are:

• A higher rise and a larger waistband. These are more flattering and more sartorial. 
• Side adjusters rather than belt loops. Both options can work well, but side adjusters give a cleaner look and are a nice feature. 
• Tailored trousers have a vertical crease in the legs. This makes them smarter and differentiates them from the ‘workwear’ end of the scale.

Other factors that you can consider are turn-ups and pleats. Different combinations can suit different looks or builds. For example, a flat front and no turn-ups can elongate the appearance for shorter men. 

As these trousers are made from cotton, they set the base for a smart casual or casual outfit. At the smarter end, they will pair with a sports jacket. For example a linen jacket or a silk / wool / linen blend. See these articles…. On the more casual part of the spectrum, they will go with knitwear, casual shirts, polo shirts, safari jackets and even t-shirts. Cotton naturally creases more than wool so don’t expect them to drape cleanly all the time. They will crease throughout the day but this can add an attractive aspect to the look. 

The most useful colours of these types of trousers tend to be more in the beige and olive area. Grey trousers give more of a formal appearance that doesn’t always sit as well with the more casual nature of this fabric. Any forms of brown, white, off-white, muted greens work well and will be versatile enough to wear with a variety of tops and shoes.