Be it the rails of American prep master J.Crew, the swanky shops of high-end fashion lords like Burberry or the huge stores of high-street heroes like Jigsaw and Burton, you never have to look far to find yourself a new pair of crisp chinos.
And that’s no bad thing. Ever since they became an intrinsic part of the US college student uniform back in the 1950s, these trousers have remained a wardrobe essential thanks to their ability to work right across the casual to smart spectrum. Whether worn with a blazer or a plain white tee, luxury white trainers or well-polished brogues, chinos will always look the business. And as there are far more colour options than the traditional khaki and cream to choose from, now’s a good time to stock up. Here’s where you should be looking for your next pair.
Jigsaw ups the style stakes with a modern, lived-in look, available in five different colours (including tried-and-tested khaki), and ups the comfort levels by adding a touch of stretchy elastane to the cotton fabric. £85, buy on jigsaw-online.com
A slightly more adventurous choice, sure, but pink – er, “brick” – brings a touch of the Californian boardwalk to your wardrobe courtesy of LA-based label The Elder Statesman. £180, buy on mrporter.com
Tapping into the utilitarianism trend with those big workwear-inspired pockets, this bright Italian pair will see you standing out from the masses. £225, buy on mrporter.com
Private White VC has looked back to its First World War heritage for these timeless trousers. They’re made in England from cotton twill, brushed for a luxuriously soft finish, and finished with a military-grade zipper and copper hook. £185, buy on mrporter.com
As the normcore look charges on, these moody mushroom corduroy numbers from the ever-reliable J.Crew wouldn’t look out of place on the legs of plain-dressing heroes like Larry David. £75, buy on mrporter.com
Want to add a touch of the old-school army to your look? Then you want a pair of flat-fronted chinos – and you’ll be hard pressed to find a more perfect khaki-green than this. £165, buy on matchesfashion.com
Surprise surprise, Acne Studios has hit the superior-quality-wardrobe-staples bullseye once again. Yes, you’ll be paying a hefty price, but you’ll be getting all the right glances thanks to some master craftsmanship from one of Sweden’s most reputable labels. £180, buy on matchesfashion.com
Sørensen has been shaking up the menswear world with its trend-driven collections. These navy chinos might look run-of-the-mill, but they hide some clever features, like the buttons on each cuff that allow you to cinch your hems, and a discreetly elasticated waistband to ensure comfort even after an over-excited canapé assault. £235, buy on matchesfashion.com
Not for everyone, these. But if you’re looking for a major departure from the norm, then the Blake chinos by Dutch label Scotch and Soda – traditional in every sense but the eye-catching Combo B pattern – will absolutely do the trick. £104.95, buy on scotch-soda.com
So many colours to choose from – and at a price that’s hard to beat anywhere else on the high street. £25, buy on burton.co.uk
A classic preppy style from a classic preppy brand. Polo Ralph Lauren has gone neutral with its slim-fit chinos, meaning that they’ll work with almost anything you throw at them at any time of the year. Real wardrobe workhorses. £115, buy on matchesfashion.com
Because we’re always only one rogue condiment dollop away from totally undoing our clean and crisp smart-casual uniform, consider a deep blue pair of chinos at the sort of events that challenge you to juggle drink and buffet plate in the same hand. £75, buy on remusuomo.com
Introduce these classic sandy-beige Burberry chinos to the fantastically cool military MA1 flight jacket. Those two are gonna get on like a house on fire. £160, buy on matchesfashion.com
