Chinos

At JACK & JONES, we’ve got a soft spot for chinos. No surprise there – few pieces cover as many occasions without making you overthink the outfit. Whether it’s a business meeting, a weekend away or a barbecue with friends, the classic chino simply works.

Our collection includes men’s chinos in different fits, colours and washes. From Slim Fit to Loose Fit, from beige to black. A true cotton-twill classic that sits in the sweet spot between jeans and suit trousers. And once you’ve worn a pair of chinos that fits properly, it’s hard to go back.

Where men’s chinos come from

The name goes back to the cotton twill imported from China to the USA at the end of the 19th century and used for military uniforms. Soft colours, hard-wearing fabric, understated cut.

That same combination is still why the classic chino works so well today, from T-shirt to blazer. After the Second World War, soldiers brought the trousers home and into everyday wardrobes. Universities picked them up, then advertising agencies, and eventually the modern office.

For everyday dressing, that means one piece with plenty of sides to it. The classic chino is basically the Swiss Army knife of men’s trousers.

Finding the right chino fit: your legs decide, not the label

The right fit has less to do with the label and more to do with what works for your legs. Our tip: if you’ve got slimmer legs, Slim Fit is usually the easiest place to start. Stronger thighs tend to work better with Regular or Tapered fits. If you like more room, go for Relaxed or Loose Fit, while Carrot Fit gives you a more distinctive shape – wider at the top and narrower towards the ankle.

Length matters too. A slight break over the shoe looks classic, no break makes the leg look longer, while a heavy double break can look untidy. All three are possible, none is compulsory – what matters is that the length works with your shoes and doesn’t disappear into a pile of fabric around the socks.

Colours that last: chinos as a wardrobe foundation

The range includes black, beige, blue, grey, green, brown and white, covering both business options and weekend looks. Red appears from time to time when you want more colour, and subtle checked versions are usually part of the mix too.

If you’re starting out, one dark and one light shade are enough. Beige or sand for sunnier days, navy or charcoal for everything else. Want a third colour in the rotation? Try olive green: understated enough for the office, but with enough presence for after work.

How to wear chinos to the office

A shirt, leather belt and clean shoes – that’s a meeting-ready look without the stiffness. If you want to take it up a level, add a blazer or a suit waistcoat. The chinos stay the calm base that holds the whole outfit together.

For semi-formal plans, a dark chino can often be a better choice than suit trousers. It doesn’t feel overdone, and in the evening you can keep the same trousers and simply change what you wear on top. That kind of flexibility is exactly what makes a good pair of chinos worth having.

Casual: the easy chino combination

Chinos work just as naturally with a soft T-shirt and a pair of trainers. On cooler days, add a jumper. The thing about cotton twill is that it feels more structured than joggers while still letting you move and breathe.

Turn up the hem, add neutral trainers and sunglasses, and you’ve got a weekend look without putting in much effort.

Chinos or jeans?

Both belong in a grown-up wardrobe. Jeans take care of the tougher side – denim, contrast stitching and more washes. Chinos cover the cleaner, more understated side.

If you really have to choose between them, chinos are often the better first option for men who dress around the office, while denim fans will naturally reach for jeans.

The good thing is you don’t need to choose. Two or three pairs of chinos and two or three pairs of jeans can cover almost every part of everyday life, from a client meeting to a barbecue.

Getting chino sizes right

Most styles run in European waist sizes 27 to 42, with leg lengths from 30 to 36. If you’re unsure, the trouser fit guide can help. If you don’t measure and prefer to buy by feel, stick to the size you already know and have the length adjusted by a tailor if needed.

One mistake we see a lot: choosing trousers too tight because the waistband still feels fine when you’re standing. Sit down, take a few steps and move around. You’ll quickly notice whether going half a size up would be the smarter choice.

Where to go next from chinos

If chinos work for you, it’s worth looking at related styles too: cargo trousers with extra pockets for a more relaxed look, stretch trousers with more freedom of movement for long days, or suit trousers when the occasion calls for something more formal. All three add useful options around your go-to chinos in a well-built wardrobe.

One more thing when you’re choosing: chinos are rarely the piece that shouts the loudest, but they’re often the piece that makes everything else in the outfit come together.

Don’t forget to check out the rest of the range

If you like chinos, take a look at our cargo trousers for a more relaxed direction, or find the shirts and T-shirts that work with your new pair straight away. There’s plenty of room to build the look your way.