Among you there are the die-hard fans of classic chinos . Those who like their lines to be seen through a semi-slim cut. And then there are the others . Those who dreamed of a real straight cut , for a loose and straight look. We took a closer look at these two men's trousers and we reveal their secrets to you.
The origin of chino pants
Chinos were created in India in the mid-19th century to dress British colonial troops.
Chinos then became popular throughout the British Empire, becoming the official army uniform in 1884. The Americans adopted them during the Second World War , and at the end of the war, the clearance of khaki canvas encouraged the production of chinos in this shade, whose popularity also spread to Europe . Chino pants have now become a part of men's workwear wardrobe.
Like many men's trousers, it is of military origin. Lighter than jeans with its cotton twill canvas, summer and winter it is a true timeless classic .
The cut
Neither too skinny nor too slim, the cut of the classic Chino is semi-slim , an ideal balance that we have found over the versions : fitted but not too much , it follows your curve without suffocating it. The straight Chino is a straight cut, regular for those in the know .
The thigh opening and ankle opening are roughly equivalent , for a uniform result.

The finishes
The finishes of the classic Chino are called sartorial : inspired by those of suit trousers. Those of the straight Chino are more refined to better correspond to its historical function : work trousers .
A little reminder of our sartorial finishes :
The bar tack is an additional seam to reinforce the main seam to achieve durable pockets.
Welt pockets : slash pockets with a bordered slit opening. Discreet and elegant, these are the back pockets of our chinos, Bermuda shorts , and flannels.
The pin buckle: the small fabric loop at the closure of the trousers, into which you simply slide the metal tip of the belt to keep it securely in place.
And many others like the braid or the V-shaped hem. Discover the trouser glossary here.

Weaving
Finding quality chinos also depends on their fabric and material .
A cotton gabardine for the classic Chino and a cotton “drill” for the straight Chino: in both cases, it is a diagonal weave with relief at the level of the oblique lines of the fabric, which recall the construction of denim .
This results in a relatively thick cotton canvas for optimal hold: not bad if you plan to put your pants to the test . The difference lies mainly in the thickness of the thread: heavier on the straight chinos.

Any outfit ideas?
How to wear men's chinos?
Now we're sharing outfit ideas . From classic semi-slim chinos to straight chinos, there's something for everyone.
A chic but comfortable outfit
At LePantalon, there's one thing we don't joke about: comfort. Who said you can't look stylish in a comfortable outfit? A white or plain shirt, a blazer jacket, and you're done. Simple and effective, you have your workwear uniform. As for shoes, sneakers to break up the formality of your look or, on the contrary, dress shoes like derbies, the choice is yours.

A casual look
Now we move on to a more casual outfit, perfect for going out for a drink with friends or visiting a museum . With a sweater or a simple white t-shirt and a fun, colorful or patterned jacket, you're done.

Sunday Chino
Sunday is sacred, so put your legs in the spotlight. A polo shirt and a jacket—you're relaxed and ready for the weekend. We like to cuff our pants for a more relaxed look.

For a wedding
Are you invited to a wedding? Don't panic, here are our outfit ideas to shine alongside the bride and groom. Pair a shirt with loafers or derby shoes and let your charisma do the rest.
Looking for some color ? Check out our full range of chinos here.

Lacking inspiration?
We're sharing a streetwear look featuring beige straight-leg chinos worn by Geoffrey, communications manager at LePantalon. Head over to TikTok.
Need advice on choosing your pants size ? We've written an article here to help you.