How You Can Style Your Chinos (Guide)

How can you style your chinos for almost all occasions from work to play at any age? Chinos are a summer favorite because they look dressier than jeans. This post addresses how to wear them from spring to fall from the weekend to the office when HR permits business casual style. Read to get inspired by the versality of stylish outfit possibilities with chinos.

Updated: 7/30/2022

Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post.

What Are Chinos?

The term chinos refers to trousers made from chino cloth. Pants of this fabric dyed khaki (light brown) are called khakis. However, in both cases, the twill fabric consists originally of 100% cotton. Today also some (cheap) cotton-synthetic blended chinos exist. The origin of this garment are the trousers of the French, British and American military uniforms in the mid-19th century. 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 a favorite in business casual style as summer trousers to meet the dress code for female engineers.

What Looks Good with Chinos?

Chinos are very versatile and look neat. Thus, a button-down shirt is a great choice. Furthermore, they go 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. Depending on the trousers’ color an utility jacket is a good match. More on styling utility jacket in the guide.

In other words, you can dress chinos up and down easily.

Which Shoes to Wear 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 or formal dress shoes are best. In case of casual styling – graphic Tee, T-shirt – wear your chinos with driving shoes or canvas sneakers for a weekend look. When you go for a feminine preppy outfit, pointy-toe pumps are best. Going for an edgy look? Then try gladiators with a high heel.

Chinos Are a Casual Summer Staple

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.

What to Wear with Chinos in Fall?

Combine your chinos with a knitted tank and an utility jacket in fall. 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. A simple DIY clasp in he back adds shape.

Chinos Outfit Ideas as Casual Streetwear

The next photo shows  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 loss of body heat. Consequently, you can catch up on the newest gossip of your old neighborhood with your former neighbor when you meet them in the grocery store parking lot.

The following look pairs a cashmere sweater and denim jacket with the summer pants for a street style chic fall outfit. This look is also an alternative of typical Casual Friday outfits, or a great way how to dress as a female engineer in a startup engineering firm.

Tops to Wear with Chino Pants

The next business casual work outfit pairs the pants with a fake twinset for an early autumn look or to stay comfortable in an über air-conditioned office in summer. Outside just knot the cardigan around your waist.

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Chino Work Outfit Ideas

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

How to Style Chinos in a Nutshell

This garment acts like a basic. You can wear it from late spring to early fall and style it for all kind of dressing situations that ask for a version of casual style. As a result, these pants work for a variety of personal style. Minimalism, feminine preppy, American Classic, business casual, posh casual, street style chic and urban style.

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

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