Best Stretch Chinos for Men
Proof Positive That the Classic Chino Can More Than Pull Its Weight
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Some menswear essentials are almost frozen in time (in a positive way), remaining largely unchanged through the years. Think of the cotton field coat or the cotton blue jean, in some cases. But the best stretch chinos are just a bit different when it comes to innovation: The chino has been around for decades — the first examples were thick cotton pants prized for their durability and worn in the Spanish-American War.
But stretch chinos take that same silhouette — more dressy than jeans, not as formal as suit trousers — and inject some helpful stretch by way of fabrics like lycra, nylon or cotton blends. The result is a major increase in comfort, a decrease in the weight of the pants themselves — helpful if you tend to run hot — and the right blend of performance and style in one tailored package.
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Chinos, especially in shades of khaki, were a prep and collegiate staple in decades past, but certain brands (hello, J. Crew and Bonobos) have laid claim to modernizing the chino pant, whether in fit, fabric or color. The point is, the best stretch chinos lend comfort and confidence to your next day at the office, yet they can be dressed down in pleasing fashion with a chambray shirt or even a crisp T-shirt.
Consider the best men’s stretch chinos to be a modern twist on a classic.
Bonobos Chinos 2.0
Bonobos was founded nearly two decades ago with an emphasis on better-fitting pants for men, starting with its signature curved waistband and carrying through to details like a tapered cut and just enough room through the thighs and seat. The company has tweaked that formula over the years,so its 2.0 Chinos still feature plenty of fit options, a wide array of stylish colors and yes, eight percent spandex for tons of stretch for your 9-to-5 (and beyond).
Flint and Tinder 365 Chino Pants
If your introduction to all-American retailers Huckberry came by way of the rugged Flint and Tinder Waxed Trucker Jacket, get ready to meet its slightly classed-up (yet still endlessly versatile) cousin: A pair of go-anywhere chino pants. These feature expertly tailored details and a tapered fit that works on all body types, plus a sturdy cotton build accented with helpful 2 percent stretch.
Mizzen+Main Helmsman Chino Pants
If you’re on your feet all day, dashing to meetings and conferences and client calls, some extra comfort — and a dash of crisp style — goes a long way. The right pair of stretch chino pants for men can deliver that comfort, and Mizzen+Main nails the tricky balance of performance and fashion. An elastic waistband maximizes comfort, while a tapered leg offers a clean look, especially with dress shoes. The real key? The use of four-way stretch, wrinkle-resistant and moisture-wicking fabric.
Public Rec Gamechanger Pants
Pants made for sporting pursuits and pants made for the office used to be entirely different items, but Public Rec is blurring the lines with this aptly named pair of trousers. They’re cut like chinos, but outfitted with a laundry list of performance features, chief among them the use of nylon and spandex fabric. The fit is also tapered like crisp chinos, but they should prove soft and breathable anywhere — particularly with an Oxford shirt and navy blazer at the office.
Mack Weldon Radius 5-Pocket Pants
In your rotation of wardrobe staples, perhaps there are pairs of standard dress trousers — usually made out of wool or wool blends — along with corduroy pants, the traditional all-cotton chino and maybe even blue jeans.
Five-pocket pants are a hybrid of the former, but in this case, their stretch and crisp looks — particularly from the performance menswear purveyors at Mack Weldon — fit the bill quite nicely (even if chinos traditionally feature side slant pockets at the hip). These feature four-way stretch, plus water and stain resistance — classier than jeans, more comfortable than standard chinos and ready for work or play.
Amazon Essentials Athletic-Fit Stretch Chino Pants
If you have a larger frame or a more athletic build, you can still make the best men’s stretch chinos work for you, and at an affordable price via Amazon Essentials. A touch of 3 percent spandex gives these plenty of comfort and range of motion, while side-slant pockets nail the dressy look and feel you need from chino pants. These are also cut with extra room at the hip and thigh.
Rhone Commuter Pants
Going from the office to the golf course to drinks at the 19th hole just got a bit easier — or rather, it’s been easier ever since Rhone introduced its best-selling Commuter Pants. Cut as sharply as a chino, the difference that sets these apart — even from other pairs of the best men’s stretch chinos – is the use of lightweight polyester for performance on and off the course. They’re also wrinkle-resistant and iron-free, with a flattering slim cut — wear them in dressy or sports situations, because they can certainly handle it.
Dockers Lux Cotton Khaki Pants
It’s hard to talk about the world of the best stretch chinos for men without talking about a brand that put Casual Friday on the map. And yet, the company has taken things in a more modern direction, forgoing pleats in favor of a tasteful straight cut, a classic khaki design and innovative fabric. These feature two percent stretch and a super-comfortable flexible waistband for movement from day to night.
Calvin Klein Modern Stretch Chino Pants
Ever innovative when it comes to staples like jeans and T-shirts, Calvin Klein makes a stylishly cut pair of the best men’s stretch chinos, particularly in shades like this Vintage Indigo for a change of pace from classic navy or even charcoal. They feature just 52 percent cotton (with polyester and elastane making up the rest), giving them plenty of stretch and mobility — these are pants you can wear on the plane and then right to a business happy hour, no change of clothes needed.
Levi’s Tapered Stretch Chino Pants
Levi’s prides itself on fit and fabric, and these tapered chino pants nail that just-right fit: Neither too slim nor too relaxed, available in garment-washed colors that turn the chino pants into something more casually cool. Like other pairs of the best stretch chinos, these feature two percent stretch and crisp details like side slant pockets. Pair them with a Levi’s light wash denim jacket and some high-top sneakers for a shake-up of high-low style.
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