Chinos are perhaps the most versatile pants in the modern wardrobe. Sitting comfortably between formal dress pants and casual jeans, they can be dressed up for the office or dressed down for weekend outings with equal ease. This guide will show you how to maximise the potential of your chinos across every occasion you'll encounter.
Understanding Chinos: The Basics
Before diving into styling, it helps to understand what makes chinos special. Originally designed for British military uniforms in the 19th century, chinos are made from cotton twill fabric with a slight sheen and clean finish. Unlike jeans, they lack visible rivets and have a smoother drape. Unlike dress pants, they're typically unlined and made from lighter, more casual cotton.
Key characteristics that make chinos versatile:
- Clean construction without heavy hardware
- Fabric that can look polished or relaxed depending on styling
- Available in neutral colours that pair with almost anything
- Comfortable enough for all-day wear
Building Your Chino Wardrobe
Before discussing outfits, consider which chino colours serve you best. Start with these foundation pieces:
Essential Colours
- Navy: The most versatile option, working in almost any setting from business to casual
- Khaki/Tan: The classic chino colour, perfect for smart casual and weekend wear
- Olive: Adds depth to your wardrobe while remaining highly versatile
- Charcoal: The most formal option, can substitute for dress pants in many situations
Secondary Colours
- Stone/Cream: Excellent for summer and lighter looks
- Burgundy: A sophisticated statement colour
- Light blue: Fresh and modern for casual settings
Darker chinos (navy, charcoal, olive) generally dress up more easily, while lighter colours (khaki, stone) lean casual. When in doubt about formality, reach for navy.
Styling Chinos for Different Occasions
Business Casual / Smart Office
In Australian workplaces where business casual is the norm, chinos are your best friend. The key is pairing them with polished elements that elevate the overall look.
The formula:
- Pants: Slim or tailored fit chinos in navy, charcoal, or olive
- Shirt: Oxford cloth button-down, crisp dress shirt, or quality polo
- Shoes: Leather loafers, derbies, or clean minimalist sneakers
- Optional: Unstructured blazer, leather belt, watch
Specific combinations that work:
- Navy chinos + white oxford shirt + tan leather loafers
- Charcoal chinos + light blue dress shirt + brown derbies
- Olive chinos + white polo + navy blazer + suede loafers
Smart Casual Events
For dinners out, gallery openings, or occasions where jeans feel too casual but a suit is overkill, chinos hit the perfect middle ground.
The formula:
- Pants: Well-fitted chinos in any core colour
- Shirt: Quality casual button-down, chambray, or linen shirt
- Shoes: Chelsea boots, leather sneakers, or loafers
- Layer: Lightweight knit, cardigan, or casual blazer
Specific combinations:
- Tan chinos + navy linen shirt + white leather sneakers
- Olive chinos + grey crewneck knit + Chelsea boots
- Navy chinos + chambray shirt + burgundy cardigan + loafers
Casual Weekend Wear
Chinos work beautifully for relaxed weekend activities while maintaining a put-together appearance that jeans can't always achieve.
The formula:
- Pants: Relaxed or slim fit chinos in any colour
- Top: T-shirt, Henley, casual button-down, or polo
- Shoes: Clean sneakers, boat shoes, or casual loafers
- Optional: Light jacket, hoodie, or overshirt
Specific combinations:
- Khaki chinos + white t-shirt + clean white sneakers
- Navy chinos + grey henley + suede desert boots
- Olive chinos + striped t-shirt + canvas sneakers
- Replace any dress shirt with a t-shirt to make the look more casual
- Swap leather shoes for sneakers to drop formality a notch
- Roll or cuff the hem for a relaxed weekend vibe
Summer Styling
Australian summers demand breathable outfits that still look sharp. Chinos excel here, especially in lighter weights and colours.
Summer-specific tips:
- Choose lightweight cotton or cotton-linen blend chinos
- Opt for lighter colours: stone, light blue, faded khaki
- Roll or cuff hems to show a bit of ankle
- Pair with short-sleeve button-downs, polos, or quality t-shirts
- Loafers worn sockless or with no-show socks complete the look
Cooler Weather Styling
In autumn and winter, heavier chinos in darker colours anchor layered outfits.
Cooler weather tips:
- Choose heavier-weight cotton twill or brushed cotton chinos
- Stick to darker colours: navy, charcoal, olive, burgundy
- Layer with knitwear, flannel shirts, and overcoats
- Pair with boots: Chelsea boots, chukkas, or leather boots
- Wool socks add warmth and texture when visible
Fit Matters: Choosing the Right Silhouette
The fit of your chinos dramatically affects how they can be styled:
Slim/Tailored Fit
Best for: Business casual, smart occasions, shorter heights
Pairs well with: Blazers, dress shirts, leather shoes
Regular/Straight Fit
Best for: Everyday versatility, most body types
Pairs well with: Everything from t-shirts to sport coats
Relaxed Fit
Best for: Casual wear, comfort priority, layered looks
Pairs well with: Oversized tops, chunky sneakers, casual jackets
Common Styling Mistakes to Avoid
- Wrong break length: Chinos that puddle at the ankle look sloppy. Aim for a slight break (1-2cm of fabric resting on the shoe) or no break for a modern look.
- Mismatched formality: Avoid wearing chinos with overly formal elements like French cuff shirts or traditional suit jackets. Keep other pieces in the same casual-smart register.
- Visible underwear lines: Chinos' lighter fabric can show lines. Wear appropriate undergarments or choose darker colours.
- Excessive wrinkles: Chinos should look crisp for professional settings. Iron or steam before wearing to important events.
- Belt mismatch: A formal dress belt with casual chinos looks off. Match belt formality to the occasion—braided leather for casual, plain leather for smart.
Building Complete Outfits: A Formula Approach
When putting together a chinos outfit, follow this mental checklist:
- Determine the occasion's formality level (1-10 scale, where 1 is beach casual and 10 is black tie)
- Select chino colour and fit accordingly (darker and slimmer for higher formality)
- Choose a top one notch above or below the pants' formality
- Select shoes that match the overall formality
- Add layers or accessories if needed
For interesting outfits, pair chinos with a top that's slightly more or less formal. Navy chinos (smart) with a white t-shirt (casual) creates balanced tension. Khaki chinos (casual) with a blazer (smart) achieves the same effect.
Final Thoughts
Chinos are investment pieces that work harder than almost any other item in your wardrobe. With just two or three well-chosen pairs, you can dress appropriately for office meetings, weekend brunches, casual dates, and most events in between. Focus on fit first, build a core collection of versatile colours, and remember that the pieces you pair with chinos determine their formality level.
Start simple, pay attention to what combinations feel right, and gradually develop your personal chino style. The best outfits often come from understanding these fundamentals and then adapting them to your own preferences.