Chinos are lightweight pants made from a cotton twill fabric, and they are a must-have in every man’s wardrobe. They are one of the most versatile and comfortable pieces of clothing you can ever own, and whether you want to dress up or down, they make a terrific choice for every event.
But as convenient as they are, they may not be appropriate for all occasions. Here are a few suggestions on what to wear with chinos and when to wear them.
Business Casual
Most workplaces nowadays have less strict dress code requirements, and if you work in an office with a business casual dress code, a pair of chinos can easily create an effortless look that keeps you looking smart and professional.
Wearing neutral-colored chinos with a well-tailored long-sleeved shirt, blazer, and tie can help you fit the dress code without having to deal with the stuffiness and discomfort associated with a formal work outfit. To spice things up a little, you can consider swapping out the tie with a fun pocket square.
This office-appropriate ensemble can be worn to a variety of other occasions, from formal dinners to casual weddings. Another benefit of this outfit is that you can easily transition from work to an evening out on the town with little to no effort, just take the tie off and you’re ready.
Smart Casual
Taking off the tie and blazer in the previous outfit makes you look more casual, but to take it a step further, pair your chinos with an even more relaxed button-down shirt such as a denim or a linen shirt.
A denim button-down shirt with a pair of boots looks great with chinos. Many people only wear denim on their lower half and would never consider wearing it on their upper half. This ensemble adds a unique twist to your wardrobe and even helps you avoid the denim on denim faux pas – although some may not consider it a faux pas. Remember, fashion is all about creating your own style, so dress in whatever style makes you feel confident!
Hot summer days call for lighter colours and, well, fewer layers, but not every man feels comfortable wearing shorts and baring his legs. Those who prefer pants can choose chinos, which are more appropriate for hot days than denim jeans due to their breathable fabric. Light-colored linen shirts go well with chino pants and are ideal for sunny weather. For cooler nights, you can also wear a fitted t-shirt underneath.
While both denim and linen shirts make you look slightly more casual, it is the chino pants that help keep your outfit looking dashing and presentable. Simply roll up the sleeves of your denim or linen shirt and you’re ready for date nights or fun get-togethers with your friends.
Casual Look
We cannot emphasise enough how versatile chinos can be. You’ve read about how chino pants work well in both business casual and smart casual settings; now, here are some ideas on how you can easily elevate your everyday look.
On days when you don’t feel like dressing up, chinos with a simple t-shirt and canvas shoes will suffice. You will find that even with a t-shirt, you will look smarter wearing t-shirts with chinos than you would with a pair of jeans. However, as great as chinos look with a t-shirt, we’re here to elevate your day-to-day look and keep you looking presentable and well-groomed.
To help you achieve the more casual yet presentable look, we suggest wearing polo t shirt with chinos. You can tuck in your polo t-shirt for a more crisp and clean-cut look that is a tad more stylish but of course, you do not have to tuck it in. Leaving your polo t-shirt untucked over your chino pants gives your outfit a more laid-back and casual appearance. Chinos and polo shirt tend to give off a more summery casual vibe, so to complete the look, pair the outfit with boat shoes, sneakers, or loafers. Remember that polo t shirt and chinos are a casual look, so save them for casual social gatherings like birthday lunches, garden parties, and barbecues.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that chinos are great for almost every occasion, but as a general rule, you should only wear them to casual and business casual events.
When buying a pair of chinos, don’t be afraid to try on a few different styles and invest in two or three different coloured chinos. You should have at least one pair that is neutral in colour, but chinos come in more daring colours such as olive green, pink, and red for those who are more daring. However, those who prefer their pants to be in neutral tones like beige, tan, or navy can instead wear more fun coloured shirts.
Interested in the polo t shirt with chinos combination for your upcoming team gathering or event? Custom Prints & Apparels has a large selection of different coloured polo t-shirts, including maroon, aqua, royal blue, and bottle green. Our customised polo t-shirts are made of 100 percent cotton, which keeps you cool and dry during the summer. Learn more about polo shirt customisation service today!
