https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lets-chat-about-chinos Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 22 Apr 2026 03:21:27 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lets-chat-about-chinos/page/2#post-1682380 Tue, 21 Jun 2016 03:15:22 +0000 Chris987 1682380@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you Suz and Smittie! </p> <p>Smittie your kind&nbsp;words&nbsp;remind me that I should go back and look at my first posting....:-) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lets-chat-about-chinos/page/2#post-1682335 Tue, 21 Jun 2016 01:48:59 +0000 Anonymous 1682335@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Chris, you are looking awesome these days. Really quite different from the outfits you showed us when you first joined. I really think those gladiators have a good energy about them. Nice roll on the pants too.</p> <p>Sally, I love those pictures of the wide and skinny cargos! I think I could get behind a cargo version of khakis for casual days. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lets-chat-about-chinos/page/2#post-1682332 Tue, 21 Jun 2016 01:43:04 +0000 Suz 1682332@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like this outfit, Chris! And oddly enough, I saw a woman on the street today wearing them and I liked how she looked, too. Hmm. Now I might have to give them another try on! :)&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lets-chat-about-chinos/page/2#post-1682205 Mon, 20 Jun 2016 22:09:08 +0000 Chris987 1682205@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks Celia! </p> <p></p> <p>Sheryl, very interesting comments. My business casual when I went to the office every day included jeans but never chinos. I never really thought about it but just kept to trouser styles and jeans. I can see now that they would work that way. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lets-chat-about-chinos/page/2#post-1682183 Mon, 20 Jun 2016 21:08:48 +0000 Sheryl 1682183@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wear chinos/khakis (both mean pretty much the same thing; the words have different origins, from what I remember)&nbsp;much more than I wear jeans.&nbsp; I find them more comfortable than jeans generally. I used to wear them for business casual when I used to go to the office every day, with the same type of tops one would wear with dress pants: blazers, tailored sweaters, blouses, button downs.&nbsp; They can be dressed up or dressed down, but the more dressy ones tend to have some spandex, so they don't wrinkle as much.&nbsp; I wear them classically, with tees, long and shorter cardigans, and shirts, tucked or untucked.&nbsp; I love their versatility and comfort, and the variety of colors available.&nbsp; I have purchased several over several seasons from Gap, Banana Republic, and J. Crew. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lets-chat-about-chinos/page/2#post-1682165 Mon, 20 Jun 2016 20:17:19 +0000 celia 1682165@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Love the look on you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lets-chat-about-chinos/page/2#post-1681903 Mon, 20 Jun 2016 13:24:40 +0000 Chris987 1681903@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks Firecracker! Yeah a jean jacket would be good. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lets-chat-about-chinos/page/2#post-1681777 Mon, 20 Jun 2016 04:52:55 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1681777@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Now that's a great look, Chris! I like the top, the jewelry, the rolled cuffs, the sandals. I know what I'm going to try to wear tomorrow for work. . . . But I'll need to add a topper. A jean jacket, probably. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lets-chat-about-chinos/page/2#post-1681676 Mon, 20 Jun 2016 00:41:49 +0000 Chris987 1681676@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Here are a few pics of what I wore today. I'm really liking this outfit and am going to see what else I can come up with for these and my other chinos by shopping my closet and/or&nbsp;buying a few new pieces. The necklace is costume jewelry that I used to only wear with "dressy" outfits but it's perfect here. </p> <p>Aziraphale...interesting that you find chinos with a slim fit. Most of the ones I have found are not that slim. </p> <p>Celia - the lighter colors are definitely more feminine</p> <p>LisaP...wow I feel very honored that someone as stylish as you is going to copy ME!! Big smile </p> <p>Suz, yes the cut seems to be so important. I took in the inseams of the ones I'm wearing today and they still seem a tiny bit baggier than I'd like. I think chinos are just not for everyone...if you still don't like them even with feminine styling perhaps you are in that camp. </p> <p>Firecracker...sounds like you are leaning in the same direction as me.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lets-chat-about-chinos/page/2#post-1681515 Sun, 19 Jun 2016 18:50:58 +0000 Sally 1681515@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I just looked up chinos and cargo pants in. Pinterest. Yes they are different and I loved my cargo pants. Styled well both look good. I think it's because a lot of men at work wear or they wear the wrong size. I'm going to look out for them in summer. These are what I used to wear. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lets-chat-about-chinos/page/2#post-1681508 Sun, 19 Jun 2016 18:32:32 +0000 Suz 1681508@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>ETA: I did try styling my chinos in a "feminine" way with a silk blouse, rolled hems, refined sandals. I still didn't like them all that much. Again, it could have been the cut of the particular version I had. The Girlfriend version that Vivian is wearing today might be worth a look. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lets-chat-about-chinos/page/2#post-1681505 Sun, 19 Jun 2016 18:28:25 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1681505@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Chris, this post has been helpful for me, too, especially your summary of the responses! I may want to try wearing my chinos a bit more toward the feminine styling, rather than trying for a tomboy look that isn't quite Me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lets-chat-about-chinos/page/2#post-1681446 Sun, 19 Jun 2016 16:11:59 +0000 Suz 1681446@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This has been a great discussion.&nbsp;</p> <p>A few years ago I bought a pair of GAP khakis -- maybe even two pair? -- but after wearing them only a few times, I ended up donating to my daughter. I could never make them work for me for some reason. I just didn't feel great in them. On the one hand, I loved the soft fabric, but at the same time, they always felt too unstructured for me somehow.&nbsp;</p> <p>It might have been the cut, though. I would be willing to try again in a different cut.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lets-chat-about-chinos#post-1681434 Sun, 19 Jun 2016 15:57:33 +0000 Anonymous 1681434@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Chris - I like your idea plan. So much so, I may do that myself tomorrow for work! &nbsp;I'll sub in my high wedges, but other than that, I'm copying you </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lets-chat-about-chinos#post-1681419 Sun, 19 Jun 2016 15:29:01 +0000 celia 1681419@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This has been such an helpful post . I like chinos/khakis because they are fresher than denim in summer but have to be careful when styling them because they can end up feeling too masculine on me. Maybe that is why I have some pink and beige colors and only this year added a navy one.<br /> The outfit you came up with looks really nice, hope we have a chance to see you wearing it.<br /> Fwiw here is a photo of one my outfits with chinos. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lets-chat-about-chinos#post-1681376 Sun, 19 Jun 2016 14:39:18 +0000 Aziraphale 1681376@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My first thought was, no, I don't wear chinos because they're too preppy for my style (especially the beige ones), but then I read down the first few responses and realized that I don't actually know the difference between "khakis" and "chinos", or if there is one. After browsing a few web pages, I gather that while both are made of cotton twill, chinos are a lighter fabrication and a bit dressier, while khakis are heavier and more at the workwear end of things.&nbsp;</p> <p>So just to make sure I'm answering your question correctly: no, I don't wear chinos, but I do wear khakis, and I style them just like I'd style jeans -- i.e., I dress them up or down. Mine are a sturdy cotton twill, army green, and they have army-inspired details like reinforced knees, but they are a relaxed slim fit. The ones you've posted look like a lighter fabric, and are definitely baggier than mine.&nbsp;</p> <p>I don't dislike the ones you've posted, however. They're cute. If I were the preppy type, I'd wear them with either a top fitted enough to follow the outline of my waist, or a relaxed linen tank with nice drape.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lets-chat-about-chinos#post-1681372 Sun, 19 Jun 2016 14:32:40 +0000 Chris987 1681372@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Tanya thanks for reposting that link I missed that discussion and will check it out now. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lets-chat-about-chinos#post-1681364 Sun, 19 Jun 2016 14:17:50 +0000 Tanya 1681364@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great question, Chris, and I had a very similar thread recently on styling chinos in a modern way.&nbsp; <a href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/styling-chino-pants-in-2016" rel="nofollow"><a href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/styling-chino-pants-in-2016" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ts-in-2016</a> &nbsp; </a>There were lots of cool ideas and visuals posted.<br />I have three pairs, white, olive and lilac, and also like to wear them to work in the warmer months as I find them more comfortable than jeans.<a href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/styling-chino-pants-in-2016" rel="nofollow"> </a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lets-chat-about-chinos#post-1681348 Sun, 19 Jun 2016 12:30:22 +0000 rachylou 1681348@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Roscoe was a hipster baby whose hipster parents, Swallow (his dad) and Lalli (short for Metallica, his mom), made him wear giant newsboy caps. They taught him His Truth(iness) is all that matters, so that if he wants to perform 'ancient Druidic' rituals with tomatoes (a New World discovery) - then ancient Celts had tomatoes and they're gonna go yell at his history teacher. Roscoe wants his boss to explain why he hasn't gotten a raise yet after two weeks of being on 'this boring job.'</p> <p><a href="http://www.popsugar.com/moms/Hipster-Baby-Names-41678102" rel="nofollow">http://www.popsugar.com/moms/H.....s-41678102</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lets-chat-about-chinos#post-1681341 Sun, 19 Jun 2016 11:21:24 +0000 Chris987 1681341@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, what a great discussion this has become!! Thanks<br /> everyone! </p> <p>Lisap thanks for that link, I’ve seen her site before and<br /> that is a great example of a&nbsp;feminine/dressy styling.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;L’Abelle good point about hair. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;Angie, perfect! Love that ensemble and will explore those<br /> YLF-ers looks.</p> <p>&nbsp;Shevia love that term “khakiesque” </p> <p>Rachylou as always you are soooo funny. I don’t get the roscoe<br /> reference but absolutely cracking up of the “my name is Bunny” one which I remember<br /> well. </p> <p>In broad strokes, there seem to be two distinct styling approaches,&nbsp;which I’ve roughly summarized below. Lots of mentions of needing<br /> to get the right fit. &nbsp;Most people seem<br /> to cuff them. They are for warm/hot weather almost without exception. &nbsp;Most people that like them prefer one approach over the other and they are not everyone’s cuppa....some&nbsp;prefer<br /> jeans. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Preppy/menswear/tech geek/tomboy</p> <ul> <li> <p>Tops: plaid shirt or graphic T &amp; denim<br /> jacket, white or Breton T &amp; navy blazer, white or chambray shirt, polo<br /> shirts</p> </li> <li> <p>Footwear: boat shoes, birks, sneakers, loafers,<br /> oxfords</p> </li> <li> <p>Accessories…belts/watch that go with this style</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </li> </ul> <p>Feminine/Dressy</p> <ul> <li> <p>Tops: untucked fluid knit hi-low tanks in<br /> linen/cotton,&nbsp;silky racer tank or T, floral prints, </p> </li> <li> <p>Footwear: sandals, gladiators, metallic wedges<br /> or floral print wedge, bit of a heel (or a lot)</p> </li> <li> <p>Accessories: feminine jewelry or "bling".&nbsp;Belts are mentioned less in this style</p> </li> </ul> <p>This has been HUGELY helpful for me, I hope others would say<br /> the same.</p> <p>My own choice is now very clear and easy. Problem solved!! WooHoo!! I’m going to go in<br /> the feminine/dressy direction for the following reasons</p> <ol> <li> <p>I recently decided I want to go in this<br /> direction overall&nbsp;so I want my next set of purchases to be in this style</p> </li> <li> <p>I also decided a while ago that I want to move<br /> away from preppie/menswear which has been a major descriptor of mind for many<br /> years.</p> </li> </ol> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>I’m&nbsp;planning&nbsp;to wear my Anthro light olive ones today with a black sleeveless line-y top<br /> with a cotton woven lace back and black flat gladiators, and my light blue<br /> purse. &nbsp;Will add gold watch and<br /> necklaces. Will post a pic later. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lets-chat-about-chinos#post-1681320 Sun, 19 Jun 2016 08:54:33 +0000 Sally 1681320@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't own any. I think they are called cargo pants here. I have a bit of a poison eye to them. I don't find them flattering on myself as they don't mould to you as denim does and I don't like the colors beige and stone etc that they usually come in. A lot of people around here wear with a Polo Shirt which is another item I don't like.<br /> In my 20s I had a pair I used to wear traveling and I remember them being easy to wash and then wear and they were light in my pack...just prefer jeans these days. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lets-chat-about-chinos#post-1681315 Sun, 19 Jun 2016 08:39:13 +0000 approprio 1681315@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a few pairs of casual pants in navy and black which could be described as chinos.&nbsp;I wear them cuffed at the ankle, usually with oxfords or creepers. Blazers and button downs have been the default for a while, but lately I'm liking them with a voluminous tunic and platform booties.</p> <p>Cut and material are key for me. I find if they don't drape nicely they can look rather shapeless. But if they are well made and with a bit of tailoring I prefer them to jeans.&nbsp;</p> <p>My current favourites are pleated black in a soft cotton twill, from Dries van Noten. Second best are slim fit ink blue from Acne. I have had both pairs for years and they are still going strong.&nbsp;</p> <p>I've not had much luck at the budget end, apart from a skinny pair from Uniqlo's Jil Sander collection, which get a fair amount of wear as a support act. A pair of slouchy khakis from Cos didn't make the cut, got dyed blue/green and then relegated. Might try digging them out again. </p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lets-chat-about-chinos#post-1681311 Sun, 19 Jun 2016 07:19:50 +0000 rachylou 1681311@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My chinos are Target ankle pants. No real chinos. They have the same effect on me as real Doc Martins. I don't get the cute pixie punk effect. I get 'my name is Roscoe.' Either that or 'my name is Bunny' - as in Charlotte's MIL from Sex In The City. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lets-chat-about-chinos#post-1681259 Sun, 19 Jun 2016 02:31:11 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1681259@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a love/hate relationship with chinos. I love them for their slouchy, tomboy vibe. It's a shadow style to which I aspire, but which doesn't always work that well for me. I like chinos when I can find them in both a fit and color that work for me. Fit is hard for me, because while I'm somewhat straight, I think I may be just a little too much toward the curvy side for chinos to fit the way I want them to--slouchy but not totally baggy-butt. </p> <p>And yet, ever hopeful, I do have some and wear them. . . . On the practical side, they are an alternative to jeans, because I can't wear jeans to work. I can identify with the tucking-versus-not dilemma you describe. So my solution is to semi-tuck. </p> <p>Otherwise, like Smittie says, when "building an outfit, and I imagine a pair of jeans next to a pair of chinos, I will always prefer to wear the jeans." I have a couple of pairs of cotton pants that aren't chinos that I wear in the summer, when it's too hot for jeans. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lets-chat-about-chinos#post-1681257 Sun, 19 Jun 2016 02:21:36 +0000 Maneera 1681257@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I always own couple pair chinos because they are a 'cooler' alternative to denim for our hot summer. </p> <p>Based on what I'm dressing for, I dress then up or down. I see them just as another pair of pants, honestly. I never tuck into a them and will wear them with flats, sneakers, heels - everything! </p> <p>The slight slouchy-ness makes them good with all kinds of tops. I never wear them in winter, though. Until last year, I used to tuck a floral top into my navy chinos (whole outfit bought together with a pink+navy belt) but I haven't done that this year. Currently I own khakhi, black, &amp; navy chinos. </p> <p>Here are the few outfits I've worn with chinos... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lets-chat-about-chinos#post-1681254 Sun, 19 Jun 2016 02:19:24 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 1681254@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I will wear these occasionally, mostly in olive, though I did try blush a couple of years ago and slightly regret having passed that pair on. I also only wear them in summer. </p> <p>My objections to them relate to the need to iron, need to have a fit that prevents one from looking bulky, and most of all the associations with my prep school no-jeans dress code. I did go for years after that refusing all khaki pants and corduroys. And I'm not a fan of polo shirts, either, for the same reason (I don't much like polo shirts with the collar as in the US, or turtlenecks which seems to be an alternative name for polos in the RoTW).</p> <p><i>I do wear chino shorts</i> from J Crew and have about 4-5 pairs of the 4-inch length for casual summer wear. <i>I find them a whole different animal than the pants</i>.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lets-chat-about-chinos#post-1681245 Sun, 19 Jun 2016 01:35:59 +0000 Sal 1681245@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't own any, I have in the past. I struggle with how to wear them although they would work for much of the year here climate wise. </p> <p>I can find them a little unflattering around my hips, and I do associate them with men's workwear ( with a logo polo shirt). There are other people who seem to be able to wear them who have hips and look terrific though so I suspect I am picking the wrong ones.</p> <p>At the movement trendy men's chinos are everywhere with a drop crotch and slimmish fit legs.</p> <p>They are not as popular here as in the US/ Canada.</p> <p>If I could get the right pair they would work well for my lifestyle - perhaps it is time to try some on. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lets-chat-about-chinos#post-1681238 Sun, 19 Jun 2016 01:21:58 +0000 Jaime 1681238@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well I think I have jumped on board this year with green and pearl grey khakiesque pants. My husband is a long time devotee - but he is a geek and I do have that association with men's khakis and hi tech. (We love geeks around here.) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lets-chat-about-chinos#post-1681233 Sun, 19 Jun 2016 01:16:54 +0000 Diana 1681233@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't wear them although I am always tempted by the 100% cotton fabrications. However, I don't generally like the colors they come in and they always seem to make me feel lumpy and sloppy. Don't really know why. They do tend to be cut for straighter figures which might have something to do with it. </p> <p>In the summer if I want to wear long pants I wear loose wide leg linen trousers. Or my printed crops. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/lets-chat-about-chinos#post-1681229 Sun, 19 Jun 2016 01:01:04 +0000 Chris987 1681229@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great replies, thanks all. I'm going to re-read them more carefully tomorrow.</p>