How You Can Style Your Chinos (Guide)

Chinos are a summer favorite. They look dressier than jeans. This post addresses how to wear them from the weekend to the office when HR permits business casual style.

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What Are Chinos?

The term chinos refers to trousers made from chino cloth. If the pants are dyed khaki (light brown), they are called khakis. However, in both cases, the twill fabric consists originally of 100% cotton. Today also some (cheap) cotton-synthetic mixed fabrics are used. In the mid-19th century, these cotton pants were part of the French, British and American military uniforms. After the Spanish-American war, war veterans came back from the Philippines with these pants and made them popular in the US. Today they are often worn in business casual offices as summer trousers. This post provides stylish outfit inspirations with chinos.

What Looks Good with Chinos?

Chinos are very versatile and look neat. Thus, a button-down shirt is a great choice. furthermore, they look great with crew-neck sweaters and T-shirts, especially graphic Tees as well as short- and long sleeve polo shirts. A casual blazer, sports coat or knit-cardigan work as well.

What Shoes Look Best with Chinos?

The answer to this question depends on what you wear with your chinos. When paired with a button-down shirt and sport jacket loafers and formal dress shoes are best. When the styling is more along a casual line – graphic Tee, T-shirt – driving shoes or canvas sneakers are good choices for a weekend look. When you go for a feminine look, pointy-toe pumps are best. When going for an edgy look, try gladiators with a high heel. Depending on the trousers’ color an utility jacket can make a great outfit. More on styling utility jacket in the guide at the link.

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Chinos Are a Casual Summer Staple

The following outfit idea features a sleeveless summer blouse with a waterfall cardigan for the office with pointy toe silver snake imprint pumps.

The following chinos outfit idea presents a summer going out with the friends look. The leather shell gives these classical engineer pants an edgy vibe. The colorful gladiator sandals and scarf add pops of colors to create a non-boring neutrals outfit.

The next look is a summer classic with a Hawaiian shirt.

How to Style Chinos in Fall

You can wear your favorite summer pants also in fall. Combine them with a knitted tank and an utility jacket. In the example look below, the turquoise fall sandals pick up the turquoise of the floral pattern of the top. The satchel picks up the tan in the top’s pattern. I used a simple DIY clasp to add shape.

The following fall look pairs a cashmere sweater and denim jacket with the summer pants. This look is on Casual Friday or a great way how to dress as a female engineer in a startup engineering firm.

The next example works as a business casual work outfit in early autumn or in an über air-conditioned office in summer. Outside just knot the cardigan around your waist.

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The next photo shows an example with a denim shirt with rolled-up sleeves, a vest and tank top underneath. This outfit allows to take off the shirt, knot it around the hips, and put the vest over the T-shirt for extra style. In the evening, the leather vest and rolling down the sleeves hinder cooling of the body. Thus, you won’t have to pretend to be on a rush when you meet your former neighbor in the grocery store parking lot. You can catch up on the newest gossip of your old neighborhood instead. 🙂

Last, but not least an outfit idea with a blazer. I like to wear this look when I dress for a science conference.

P.S. Don’t forget to add a bag that’s appropriate for where you go.
P.P.S. Accessorize for a finishing touch again keeping in mind the occassion. See this guide on accessorizing with belts.

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