Chinos
Cotton trousers made of lightweight twill, usually with a straight or slightly tapered leg and slanted side pockets. Originally military trousers, they are now the casual basis between jeans and wool trousers. Beige, sand or navy go with polo, Oxford shirt, knitwear and loafers. They should sit without wrinkles at the hip and rest only lightly on the shoe.
In the catalog
From the Guide
- With light trousers (chinos in beige or sand, linen in ecru), white sneakers and brown suede loafers are the safest.
- Boots suit chinos in fall, not linen trousers in summer.
- Black smooth leather loafers and most lace-ups look harsh with beige.
Related terms
- Gabardine trousersCotton trousers made of gabardine: denser, smoother and a little heavier than chinos, with a fine, steep diagonal rib.
- Pleated trousersTrousers with one or two pleats at the waistband that give more room at the hip and thigh.
- Wool trousersTailored trousers made of wool, usually with a crease.
- JeansTrousers made of denim, a cotton twill with an indigo-blue warp and a light weft.
- Corduroy trousersCotton trousers with lengthwise ribs of pile; the narrower the ribs, the finer and calmer they look (fine-wale corduroy).
- Linen trousersSummer trousers made of linen or a linen-cotton blend.