The Very Best Men’s Chinos

Sizing: Waist sizes 28–40, inseam sizes 28–34 | Cut: Straight fit | Pleats vs. flat front: Flat front | Fabric: 60% cotton, 38% Lyocell, 2% elastane

Abercrombie and Fitch has been skillfully reinventing itself since hiring acclaimed menswear designer Aaron Levine back in 2018. While Levine is no longer with the brand, the positive changes he made remain, especially when it comes to the chinos selection. Abercrombie’s chinos are praised for great construction and reliably consistent (and inclusive) sizing. Because they have a little stretch, but not too much stretch, they allow for easy movement while holding their shape.

As a preppy kid growing up in the Northeast, WM Brown founding editor Matt Hranek says he’s tried every incarnation — expensive and otherwise — and finally found his perfect pair in Abercombie’s straight-fit chinos. Hranek says they feel “like pajamas” but assured me the twill-cotton fabric is sturdy, describing them as “kind of bulletproof.” Because they are priced at a reasonable $70 and are also available in slim, super-skinny, and athletic-skinny cuts, as well as a variety of neutral colors, I’ve made them my top pick.

Sizing: Waist sizes 27–40, inseam size 34, with free alterations | Cut: Slim fit | Pleats vs. flat front: Flat front | Fabric: 97% cotton, 3% spandex 

Uniqlo is consistently among the top recommendations I get for men’s wardrobe basics — from T-shirts and chinos to cashmere sweaters and colorful socks. I routinely shop for myself from both the men’s and women’s sections and have found equal success in both. The brand’s slim-fit chinos are also among my husband Jacob Cohen’s favorite everyday pants for his job as a fourth-grade teacher, where he spends a large part of the day moving — including on his daily bike commute. He likes that they are comfortable and look good without any ironing. The chinos are made of cotton with 3 percent spandex, making them somewhat wrinkle-resistant and perfect for active lifestyles. And though they won’t last as long as a pair of 100 percent cotton chinos, they have held up well despite his rough handling of them. They are marketed as slim, but in my experience, they are not that slim and definitely not skinny fit.

One drawback is that the inseam for all sizes is set at 34 inches by default, but if you know exactly what length you need, you can order them online and Uniqlo will shorten them to your preferred length (from 16 inches to 32.5 inches in half-inch increments) for free. Cohen is five-foot-ten and has his shortened to a 30-inch inseam. Uniqlo also offers free in-store hemming within 30 days of your purchase and “usually turns them around in a single day,” according to UX designer Nehemiah Blackburn, who is one of many stylish guys I’ve talked to who swear by Uniqlo’s chinos. Blackburn says he has worn the same pair of these slim-fit chinos for years, and they’re still in great shape. Nicolás Lazaro, editorial manager at Buck Mason, shouted them out as the first pair of “non-Dockers” chinos he ever bought and says they’re “the best under-$100 chinos you’ll find anywhere,” adding that “with a little tailoring or a folded cuff, they can look as good, if not better than, most luxury options.”

Sizing: Waist sizes 26–58, inseam sizes 28–36 | Cut: Straight fit | Pleats vs. flat front: Flat front | Fabric: 65% polyester, 35% cotton 

Two of the men I talked to enthusiastically endorsed the classic 874 work pants from Dickies, which GQ global style director Noah Johnson told us are the “ultimate egalitarian chino.” He appreciates that they come in different inseam lengths ranging from 28 to 36 inches, meaning that even people who are on the shorter side might be able to avoid going to a tailor to have them hemmed, and taller people will likely still find a pair that’s long enough. Johnson also appreciates the subtle sheen of the fabric and the flawless factory crease you will find in any new pair — likely due to the high polyester content. Fashion writer and DJ Isaac Hindin-Miller also loves Dickies — and has since he was a teen: “They are the sturdiest pants on the market, they’re stain-resistant, classic, and will never go out of style.” Hindin-Miller adds that he wears his favorite 874s in white all year round, “Labor Day be damned,” but they come in more than a dozen colors to suit all seasons and tastes.

Sizing: Waist sizes 28–38, inseam size 32.5, with free alterations | Cut: High-rise relaxed fit | Pleats vs. flat front: Flat front | Fabric: 100% cotton 

I found out about this pair of vintage-inspired high-rise chinos from Buck Mason when actor Adam Scott named them as something he can’t live without. Intrigued by Scott’s promise that they aren’t like any other chinos, not even like other chinos at Buck Mason, I had Cohen try on a pair. Like the Uniqlo chinos, they come in just one inseam length but offer free alterations. So I knew they would be too long for him (he’s five-foot-ten and prefers a 30-inch inseam), but I was pleasantly surprised by the higher waist fit: Because the waistband sits a bit higher, it makes his legs look longer, even with the wider leg. If you’ve been looking for a way to get into the bigger-pants trend, this is a pair I would suggest trying. They are made of really luxurious cotton twill that has been garment-washed with enzymes for a soft, worn-in feel. They come in khaki and black, and as with so many other Buck Mason products, all of the details have been lovingly considered. I am jealous of these pants and have been considering getting a pair in my size and having them tailored to fit me better.

Sizing: Waist sizes 28–46, inseam sizes 28–36 | Cut: Athletic fit | Pleats vs. flat front: Flat front | Fabric: 92% cotton, 8% spandex

If you tend to feel like some chinos are too tight in the thigh area, these stretch chinos from Bonobos might offer a more comfortable fit. Calvin Stowell, chief growth officer at the Trevor Project, says that his bigger size means most chinos don’t fit him well, but chinos from Bonobos “fit nicely over my butt and thighs without being too baggy at the ankle and last longer in the seat than other chinos.” He prefers the brand’s “athletic” cut for its roominess, but you can also choose from a slim, slim taper, straight, or tailored designs. Patrick Kenger, personal stylist at Pivot Image Consulting, also likes Bonobos’ collection of chinos for the sheer number of choices in terms of fit, sizes, and colors (more than a dozen), so “you’re bound to find something.” The Bonobos Stretch Washed chinos are still made of mostly cotton, but they have more stretch — 8 percent spandex — than any of the other pairs on this list. This means they are more forgiving and comfortable (and designed to resist wrinkles) but that they may not last as long as a pair with less stretch.

Sizing: Waist sizes 28–44, inseam sizes 24–44 | Cut: Relaxed fit | Pleats vs. flat front: Pleats front | Fabric: 100% cotton

If you like a wider leg, brand consultant Kapil Sehgal suggests these relaxed-fit chinos. He calls them a wardrobe staple and says their “soft cotton-twill fabric is super comfortable, and their oversize fit is perfect for working from home.” Sehgal, who has worked in menswear for more than a decade, adds that pleated chinos are very of the moment: “The trend in menswear for the past few seasons has been toward oversize, comfortable fits, and I don’t see that changing for a while.” The Ralph Lauren Whitman Chino is currently available in two colors: khaki and black.

Sizing: Waist sizes 28–38, inseam sizes regular or long | Cut: Relaxed fit | Pleats vs. flat front: Pleats | Fabric: 98% cotton, 2% elastane

Strategist writer Jeremy Rellosa loves his Alex Mill chinos, which he has been able to wear on repeat throughout the fall, spring, and summer because of the looser, airier fit in the thigh. If you’re looking to dip a toe into the world of pleated pants, these are the chinos for you. Because the single pleats are so subtle, Rellosa says, he can dress them up or down and, depending on how high or low he wears them on his waist, he can really show off the pleats or hide them. They have a little bit of stretch for comfort, and a flap coin pocket adds a unique detail. When we asked Rellosa to tell us more about the cropped length, he noted that the cuffed hem is stitched around the ankle, so you won’t be able to uncuff the pants unless you’re handy with a seam ripper. But he’s into the look. “I ended up liking the cropped length because I can show off my socks on taller boots like my Blundstones or desert boots. And the cropped length looks great with loafers too.”

Sizing: Waist sizes 28–44, inseam sizes 30–34 | Cut: Slim fit | Pleats vs. flat front: Flat front | Fabric: Cotton and elastane blend

According to Strategist contributor Chris Black, you can’t say chino without paying respect to J.Crew, a brand known for preppy basics that are “usually on sale.” The 484 Slim-Fit Stretch Chino is made of a cotton-and-elastane blend to offer some stretch, but the exact ratio is not listed. The pants have a slim cut throughout the thighs and legs — perfect if you’re looking for a foil to more relaxed styles. Black says they are a good option for warmer months. They come in a range of nine mostly neutral colors, including black, navy, lighter and darker shades of khaki, and an olive-toned Catskill Green.