For a stylish look with chinos, consider pairing them with a button-down shirt, polo, or casual t-shirt. Layer with a blazer or denim jacket and complete the outfit with sneakers, loafers, or dress shoes, depending on the occasion.
Chinos are casual pant that is a step up from your everyday jeans. Chinos are perfect for the office because they are comfortable but they still look nice. The nice thing about chinos is that they can be paired with just about any type of shirt and jacket.
Chinos can be dressed up or down. They’re equally at home in an office as they are on the town or out camping. If you don’t want to dress like everyone else, then purchase a pair of chinos. They will look good when paired with a collared shirt, but you can wear t-shirts, sweaters, and even polo shirts with them for a more casual look.
And don’t forget a comfortable belt. Everyone forgets the belt and big guys make sure you get the best belt for a big belly. Comfort is vital.
If you’re wondering what to wear with chinos, you could ask yourself why you need something else to go with your chinos! Often, the answer is that it’s just too hot to wear jeans or sweatpants, and a dress shirt is too formal for the occasion.
Chinos make the ideal alternative in these situations. Chinos can be worn in summer as well as winter, and they can be dressed down or up depending on your style and what you’re wearing them with.
Styling Guide for What to Wear with Chinos:
| Outfit Type | Top | Shoes | Accessories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casual | T-shirt, sneakers | Sneakers, loafers | Baseball cap, backpack |
| Business Casual | Button-down shirt, blazer | Loafers, oxfords | Leather belt, watch |
| Date Night | Polo shirt, suede shoes | Dress shoes, loafers | Leather bracelet, sunglasses |
| Summer | Linen shirt, boat shoes | Boat shoes, espadrilles | Straw hat, canvas tote |
Overall, chinos are a versatile and comfortable option that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. For a casual look, pair chinos with a t-shirt and sneakers or loafers and finish the outfit with a baseball cap or backpack.
For a business casual look, pair chinos with a button-down shirt and blazer and complete the outfit with loafers or oxfords and a leather belt or watch. For a date night, try a polo shirt and suede shoes with chinos, and accessorize with dress shoes or loafers and a leather bracelet or sunglasses.
For a summer look, pair chinos with a linen shirt and boat shoes or espadrilles and accessorize with a straw hat or canvas tote.
Let’s start with a quick FAQ and then dive deeper into styling your chinos.
FAQs: What Should I Wear with Chinos?
A white or light-colored button-up shirt goes best with brown chinos. However, if you want to experiment with different colors, you could go with a navy blue or charcoal gray shirt.
Yes, you can wear black shoes with khaki chinos, but it largely depends on the event you are attending. Black shoes are more formal, so it would be a great option for office wear, formal events, or weddings.
Chinos are versatile pants that can be dressed up or down. They are not as formal as trousers, but can still be worn in a business casual setting or for dressier occasions when paired with a dress shirt and blazer.
There are plenty of options for shoes that can go with navy blue chinos, such as boat shoes, sneakers, loafers, and even a pair of dress shoes. It ultimately depends on the occasion and style you want to achieve.
Yes, you can wear a t-shirt with chinos for a casual look. However, make sure your chinos are fitted and not too baggy. You can also dress it up by wearing a blazer or sport coat over the t-shirt.
A popular way to roll cuffs on chinos is to fold the bottom edge up twice, so it sits just above the ankle bone. This style pairs well with boat shoes or casual sneakers and shows off a little bit of ankle.
Yes, chinos are made from comfortable cotton twill fabric, which provides a soft and breathable feel. They are perfect for long days and suitable for any season.
Yes, you can wear chinos in the winter, but make sure they are made from heavier fabric to protect against the cold. Pair them with a sweater or a jacket for a cozy winter outfit.
Okay, so that’s the end of my quick summary for those of you who just wanted some quick takeaways. For those who have time to read on, let’s explore what you can pair with chinos a tad further…
Can You Wear a Suit Jacket with Chinos?
Yes, you can wear a suit jacket with chinos, but be aware that you have to choose either formal or informal. A suit jacket gives off an air of formality, and if you’re wearing it with chinos it will make your outfit more formal by default.
This means that anything you pair it with will also be more formal. You want to avoid contrasting casual items like sneakers, caps, or t-shirts because they’ll look out of place when paired with a suit jacket and chinos.
If you’re planning on wearing a suit jacket with your chinos, lean toward more formal shoes. More relaxed shoes like loafers or boots can still work well.
If your office is more casual, then you may be able to wear your suit jacket with chinos. When you’re wearing a suit jacket with chinos, wear it unbuttoned and over your shoulders. This way, it looks like a jacket casually thrown over your shoulders to give your outfit some style. You can also wear a sweater over the top of the suit jacket if it’s cold outside.
Black chinos are formal enough that they can be paired with nearly any suit jacket in your closet. If you have a dark grey suit, pairing it with black chinos is an excellent option for business casual attire. If you want even more formal attire, try pairing black chinos with a darker grey or navy suit jacket.
Ties are optional when wearing your suit jacket with chinos, but they add an extra touch of sophistication that many men enjoy. Solid color ties tend to match well with black chinos, although pinstriped or floral ties can add some visual interest to the outfit.
Can You Wear Chinos with a Dress Shirt?
Chinos are a great choice for casual professionals, but not all chinos are created equal. There are different cuts available and you can find many styles on sale online.
You can wear chinos with a dress shirt in a few different ways:
- With an open collar shirt. This is the most casual option; it works well with t-shirts and short sleeve button-up shirts. You’ll look more dressed down than if you wear them with a tie, but it’s still a nice look.
- With a tie. Chinos and a tie will never be as formal as a suit, but this is a good look for those who want to dress up without spending too much money or wearing something uncomfortable (like polyester).
- With a blazer. If you have an ultra-casual job (think retail) or just want to dress up without going into full formal attire, this is the best option for you. Wear your blazer to work once a week or every day–it really depends on how dressy your workplace is, but this look looks great either way.
Can You Wear Chinos with a T-Shirt
You can never go wrong with a plain white or black t-shirt, both are very versatile and, due to their simplicity, they can be easily combined with pretty much any item in your wardrobe.
This outfit is perfect for men who want to look trendy, but not too dressy. The pair of slim-fit chinos will keep things looking smart while the luxury leather sneakers and t-shirt will inject some cool into an otherwise formal look.
The color of your chinos will depend on what color your T-shirt is. If the color of your chinos is darker than the color of your t-shirt then it will create contrast and emphasis on the look. However, if the colors are similar then it will create a dull look and there won’t be much difference between them.
Can You Wear a Tie with Chinos?
You may wonder whether you should wear a tie with chinos. The answer to this question all depends on how formal you want to look and how much space you have in your closet.
If you are going to wear a tie, keep in mind that you should never pick a tie that is too wide for the pants you wear. If not, then it will look out of place and possibly make you look bulky.
When deciding whether to wear a skinny or regular tie with chinos, remember that skinny ties are ideal for casual business outfits while regular ties work best for formal outfits. You can also wear a regular tie with chinos if you are going out for drinks or dinner after work.
You can also choose from different styles of ties such as bow ties, bolo ties, and pre-tied ties. Bow ties are not as popular as they used to be but they are still worn by some individuals especially during events such as weddings or afternoon tea get-togethers.
Do You Wear Socks with Chinos?
Socks play a big part in the overall look of your chinos. There are many different options that vary in style, material and color. You can go with no socks at all if you want a more casual feel to your appearance. However, if you’re wearing your chinos with dress shoes or boots, then socks are a must.
If your chinos are the shorter length and show your ankles you should go with no-show socks or no socks at all if you are comfortable doing so. If your chinos hemline reaches your shoes (therefore your ankles are covered) then just wear normal dress socks.
Can You Wear Chinos Without a Belt?
If your chinos fit you comfortably around the waist without a belt then, by all means, don’t wear a belt however you will be doing a lot of bending throughout the day are you sure they will stay up without you constantly pulling them back up. Also, don’t forget to take into account the extra weight of a wallet, car keys, loose change, etc, that will add weight to your beltless chinos.
It’s certainly possible to wear chinos without a belt, but they’re not quite like jeans. Chinos can be worn either way, but if you’re looking for a pair of trousers that will look best with a belt, you may want to consider a slimmer fit.
Trousers with a more tapered leg are a little more difficult for the uninitiated to wear because they’re not as forgiving as straight-leg chinos and straight jeans. If you don’t have the figure for them, they won’t make you look any trimmer. And if you are on the larger size read… groove belt for fat guys
If you want to wear your chinos without a belt, stick with a classic design in either khaki or navy colors and keep the top (shirt and shoes) simple so that all eyes are on the trousers.
For example khaki chinos paired with an oxford button-down shirt in white or blue and dark brown leather penny loafers. Try to avoid any bells and whistles on the shirt, like graphic tees or loud patterns like plaids. Keep it simple and classic.
What to Wear with Black Chinos?
If you’re looking for a versatile pair of chinos that will work well with a variety of colors and other outfits, black is the way to go. Black chinos can be worn in a wide range of colors, from white and blue to gray and brown. In addition to all the solid colors, you can also find black chinos that come in pinstripes or floral patterns.
Tops
Solid-color shirts look best with black chinos. You can also pair them with a patterned shirt — as long as it’s not too bold — for a more interesting look than a solid-color shirt gives you. If you’re wearing a patterned shirt, however, make sure it’s not so bold that it overwhelms the overall look of the outfit. And steer clear of any bright or neon colors.
Long-sleeved shirts such as button-down shirts, polos, sweaters, and cardigans are great for layering under vests, jackets, and blazers. Layer them over your black chinos in the winter or add them under your spring/summer attire to protect yourself from the chill in the air. Throw them on over your swimsuit when you go to the beach or poolside barbeque.
Sweaters and jackets
Another good option for pairing with black chinos is adding a sweater or jacket to your outfit. As long as the color complements the pants (black goes well with pretty much every color), this adds some variety to your outfit without being distracting. The same goes for neckwear: A scarf or tie will complement your outfit without trying to steal the show from the pants themselves.
Shoes
With shoes, you want something more casual and versatile like sneakers or loafers. A pair of black penny loafers with a black belt and watch will look great with these chinos. In terms of accessories, try to stick with leather bracelets and leather belts.
Metal bracelets would look out of place because there is nothing metal about the outfit at all. In fact anything metal or shiny looks out of place on black pants because they are already a bit darker than other pants so they wouldn’t go well together if you added something metallic at the same time.
What to Wear with Grey Chinos?
A pair of grey chinos are a great alternative to jeans because they offer a different vibe. If you are going out, have something formal planned, or just want to look sharp, then you should definitely consider pairing your grey chinos with a nice button-down shirt and some good shoes (oxfords or loafers).
By adding these accessories, your look becomes more refined, which is the main difference between wearing jeans and chinos. If you are wearing this outfit during the daytime or in warmer weather, then be sure to add some color by way of either accessories or your shirt.
For tops, you can wear almost anything you want. However, keep in mind that the more loud and vibrant your top is, the starker the contrast will be with your pants. As such, you should avoid bright colors and stick to lighter colors.
If your top has large patterns or designs, look for a solid-colored grey shirt or polo. If the top is small or nuanced patterned, go for a grey shirt with small designs as well. You can also wear a white shirt if you want to create some contrast between your top and pants (the same applies if your pants are colored).
You can also wear sweaters and jackets with grey chinos as well. If you want to layer two pieces of clothing on top of each other, make sure they are both neutral colors (black, grey, or brown).
What to Wear with Green Chinos?
Wear a patterned shirt with green chinos. Chinos are the right choice of pants for almost every occasion. They are super versatile and can be worn with a variety of shirts, jackets, shoes, and accessories. Chinos offer a casual look that can be paired with a more formal outfit (suit) or an informal one (T-shirt).
Trying to decide what to wear with green chinos? Here are some ideas:
- A button-down shirt (with or without patterns): A button-down shirt is considered a no-brainer fashion item because it can be worn on many occasions – from business meetings to family gatherings. It is also considered a “uniform” for students and employees, who often don’t have the financial means to own more than one shirt. A button-down shirt comes in various colors but makes sure you go for one that has a nice pattern so it can match your pants without overwhelming it.
- Denim jacket: The denim jacket is one of the most versatile pieces in any man’s wardrobe. It goes well with nearly everything – from jeans and khakis to cargo pants and shorts. With a sturdy pair of boots, you can even wear them on a night out at the club or bar.
Green Chinos are just awesome. They’re slimming and you can wear them with just about anything. The best thing to wear with them is a light-colored Oxford shirt or a light-colored polo. If you want to dress up a little bit, then pair them with a light blazer and some brown loafers. If you want to dress down, throw on some boat shoes and a nice t-shirt.
In summary, if you have not added chino pants to your wardrobe yet, consider doing so this season. They are comfortable, versatile, and come in a variety of colors and styles.
Wear them with a polo shirt and sneakers for your weekend look or add a suit jacket and dress shoes for an evening out on the town. Plus you can always tuck in your tee shirt when you wear a button-down. Chinos are the jeans replacement for all of your casual looks and more.
You may also be interested in… What Are Chinos Pants? and What to Wear with Blue Chinos?
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.
