Chinos were originally created as a casual alternative to khaki pants, but they’ve become an important part of the business casual wardrobe over the years. Chinos, unlike khakis, are purely cotton garments, which means they’re particularly appropriate for spring and summer wear.
Chino pants fit into the business casual dress code because they’re more formal than denim jeans and less formal than dress slacks. They provide a nice middle ground between casual and business attire.
Chinos are a type of casual pants, which is why they are so popular among men of all ages. You can pair chinos with a button-down shirt and dress shoes or you can pair them with a polo shirt and sneakers.
Are Chinos Business Casual?
Chinos can be worn at work in certain situations depending on your office environment and culture. If you do wear chinos to work, make sure they’re not too long and that they don’t have any rips or tears in them so that you’re not under-dressed for the occasion.
Chinos can also be worn outside of the office as well, such as at weddings or other special family events. They’re also appropriate if you decide to go golfing during your free time or if you decide to go on a hike with friends.
Let’s look at where you can wear your chinos…
Are Chinos Appropriate for Work?
Chinos are a casual staple, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be dressed up. Whether you’re adding a blazer, wearing them to work, or heading out for an evening on the town, there’s always a way to add some panache to these comfortable pants.
Chinos are a great option for the office. You can wear them with a dress shirt, sweater, and tie or with a V-neck sweater and casual shoes. Chinos will be more formal than jeans (even of the dark wash variety) but they can also be slightly more casual than a pair of dress slacks.
Can You Wear Chinos to Office?
Chinos are a great middle-ground and will work well in most offices. Just make sure that when you’re wearing chinos to work you try to keep some of your upper body covered. A dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up, for example, will look sloppy and will definitely not be appropriate for work.
Here’s a rundown of chino pants for the office:
- Color and fit. Your chinos should match your work shirt or blouse. The color should be an appropriate shade for the season—nothing too light or dark (although lighter colors are acceptable during the spring and summer). The fit should be neat but not tight or excessively baggy.
- Pockets. Pockets can make or break a pair of chinos. If you’re wearing a blouse, avoid pockets that show from underneath; it’s best to have either no pockets or hidden pockets. Also, make sure the flap covers all of the pocket space—you don’t want to flash anyone when you sit down.
- The right occasion. Chinos are appropriate for most workplaces and business occasions, including interviews, meetings, and presentations. Just keep in mind your company’s dress code: while some companies allow business casual attire year-round, others require more formal wear in the fall and winter months. Check with your HR department if you’re not sure what’s acceptable where you work.
Can Chinos Be Worn as Formal?
Can chinos be worn as formal? The answer would be yes and no. Yes, they can be considered as formal wear but not true formal wear. It is because chinos are considered to be the lighter version of trousers while trousers are considered to be the heavier version of pants or slacks.
Here are some tips to help you wear your chinos formal:
- Make sure they fit well. You don’t want your pants not fitting correctly because then it makes it difficult for you to look good. Also, make sure that the cut fits your body type well. If it doesn’t fit right, then you’ll look sloppy and you definitely won’t want to wear them in any kind of formal setting.
- Make sure that your shirt fits properly. Nothing ruins a nice pair of chinos more than an ill-fitting shirt! Make sure that your shirt is tucked in properly – tie or not – and that it has its tail tucked into your pants as well. Not doing this will make you look sloppy and not ready.
Many people might find it hard to believe that chinos can be worn as formal, but the truth is, chinos can be worn by anyone who wants to look groomed, professional and stylish.
Can Chinos Be Casual?
Chinos are great for casual occasions. They have a comfortable fit, so you can walk around all day doing errands or hanging out with friends. Chinos are also perfect for summer weather since they are usually made of cotton and other breathable fabrics.
Chinos can be casual or business-like or anywhere in between—it’s all about what you do with them beyond picking the right color.
Tailored chino pants with a nice polo or button-down shirt are the ideal casual look. Chino’s pair well with a variety of shoes. You can wear them with loafers or boat shoes, or even sneakers if you want to be more casual.
Can Chinos Be Worn Casually?
The short answer is yes. Chinos of any color can be worn casually, provided that they fit properly, are in good condition, and are accompanied by the right type of footwear and a casual sports shirt or polo.
When choosing casual tops, stick with solid colors and medium/darker shades of blue, gray, green, and brown. Avoid white, pink, and light shades of blue, green, and brown because they’re too close to the color of the pants. While you want your outfit to look pulled together, you don’t want to look like you’re wearing a suit or sportcoat in the process (unless it’s required for your job).
I always wear my chinos with casual shoes that can handle some dirt and water — hiking boots, boat shoes, or sneakers all work well.* I prefer them to leather shoes because I don’t want to risk scuffing up my dress shoes when I’m being active.
Do Chinos Count as Slacks?
No, chinos are not slacks. Slacks are any pair of pants that are not jeans or dress pants. Chinos are a type of informal pants that you can wear to a casual business or social event. They’re a step up from jeans and a step down from dress pants.
Chinos are the kind of trousers you can wear with a button-up shirt and tie for an interview at the office, or with a polo shirt for a job on a boat. They’re more formal than jeans but less formal than dress pants.
Can You Wear Chinos to a Wedding?
As one of the most adaptable items in your wardrobe, chinos can be dressed up or down and worn in almost any situation. The only exception to this rule is a wedding. While it may be tempting to wear them to your best friend’s big day, you should always opt for more formal trousers instead.
Chinos are a casual option that can still give off an air of formality. If you’re attending a daytime event with pre-dinner drinks, such as a christening or baby shower, you can wear them with confidence.
Ideal for smartening up your look with minimal effort, chinos are perfect for weddings that are informal yet still require a degree of formality.
Can You Wear Chinos to a Formal Event?
Chinos certainly aren’t formal wear, but they can be appropriate in some settings. It all depends on how much it matters to you that your outfit is perfectly suited to the occasion.
Tuxedos, long gowns, and black ties are usually reserved for very formal occasions, like a black-tie gala or a wedding at the country club. But what about the rest of the time? What qualifies as formal wear?
As a rule of thumb, anytime you’re going somewhere where you might see people in tuxedos — particularly when there’s no specified dress code — make sure you’re dressed to match. That means dark suits for men and cocktail dresses for women. Ankle boots and tights are acceptable instead of stilettos, but not jeans.
Chinos are more casual than slacks, so you could wear them with a blazer (over a collared shirt) or a sweater without looking out of place. However, people may assume you’re dressed casually even if they don’t know exactly what you’re wearing; after all, chinos are rarely seen in strict business settings.
Can You Wear Chinos to Golf?
Tailored men’s chino pants are suitable for golfing and look great on the course. Chinos are different than khakis which typically have a more casual appearance. Chinos look great paired with a button-up shirt, polo, or even denim jacket. Chinos should match the color of your shoes and belt to add continuity to your outfit.
Chino pants are available in lightweight cotton or in a wool blend that is similar to twill. Many golfers prefer the cotton style because it is more breathable on hot days when you tend to perspire more. The wool blend is perfect for cooler weather or during the fall months when cooler temperatures prevail.
As long as you select a pair that has been tailored for golfing, you will be able to wear them comfortably all day long while playing the sport of golf. While you may need different styles for different seasons, chinos are versatile pants that can be worn in any season.
However, if you’re playing golf in a country club or private setting, it’s best to avoid wearing chinos unless the dress code says that they are acceptable. Chinos are too informal to be worn with a sports coat and tie for most country clubs.
The easiest way to judge whether or not to wear chinos is just to ask the pro shop at your course if they’re okay with them. If they have no problem with it, then go for it! The worst thing that could happen is that you get turned away from the clubhouse and have a fun day playing golf.
Can You Wear Chinos at the Ritz?
You have been invited to a swanky dinner at one of the world’s greatest hotels. However, you forgot that smart casual attire is required.
To ensure that you’re dressed appropriately for this occasion and to avoid any embarrassment, please note that shorts, trainers, and sportswear are not permitted in any of the hotel’s restaurants or bars.
So chinos with a smart-looking polo shirt should fit the bill but I would call the Ritz you are going to and make sure first.
In summary, Chinos are the best-kept secret in men’s fashion. They are comfortable, yet elegant and versatile. You should own at least one pair of chinos in your wardrobe.
Every guy should have at least one pair of black chinos. They are ideal for more formal occasions and will also work very well in the office (even though I’ve heard that some companies don’t allow them). Blue and grey chinos are also very versatile and look good with pretty much everything.
You may also be interested in… What Should I Wear with Chinos? and What Trousers To Wear?
Allan Wilson who in the offline world has an extensive background working in research, analyzing statistics, improving work processes, team leading, and implementing training to improve results and now thanks to more than 3 years dedicated to this site is now also a highly regarded researcher of brands.
Allan has a long history of developing brands online way back before blogging existed creating websites using HTML code in Notepad. Allan established brands in the Info Product Marketing arena such as infoproductmarketing, ebookresellerkit, reprintrightsmarketing, along with many other successful websites (and a few failures along the way). Allan has also authored numerous ebooks, owned and operated membership sites, created eLearning courses, and more.
