Dress Smarter: 3 Ways NOT To Wear Your Chinos

CHINOS: These timeless trousers are one of the most versatile pieces in every guy’s wardrobe, taking you from day to night. Check out this style tips and gentleman’s guide on what NOT to wear with your Chinos pants.

The popular Chinos pants began its life as a staple of military uniform. It is the handiest pair of pants to have in your wardrobe.

These pants are a cotton twill fabric that comes in varying shades of colors to choose from. There is also a range of fits, varying from loose to skinny, which gives you your desired fit.

It is arguably the most versatile pant option out there – they can be worn formally and casually. As versatile as it can be, some still wear it the wrong way and that’s why I decided to help a fellow gentleman with this simple guide.

What Not to Wear with Your Chinos Pants | 3 Rules

#1. Don’t wear your Chinos Pants ripped with your Native Attire Tunic Top

A ripped chinos pants (or jeans) and a Native Attire Tunic tops are two different styles of clothes and you shouldn’t pair them.

This combination is not ideal and if you’re caught, you will be held in contempt.

Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with wearing ripped chinos or ripped jeans but you have to be mindful of the formality of the Top you are pairing it with.

Explanation:

Ripped chinos (or jeans) is the lowest form of a casual piece you can wear, meaning you’ve got to pair it with another casual attire (a casual top) that is similarly ripped or at best step up the look to a nice non-ripped casual top to create a balance.

A native attire could be formal, business casual, smart casual and in few cases casual – see our article of different dress codes to learn more.

While you can dress-down a semi-formal look to a formal attire look, or dress down a business casual to a smart casual, you can’t dress down a business casual to a casual – that is jumping down two steps.

Hence the reason why you can’t pair ripped chinos with a Native Attire Tunic top.

#2. Don’t wear your Chinos/Polo T-shirt combination with a dress shoe.

I have seen many people make this fashion faux pas.

Dress shoes such as Oxfords and Derbies are strictly formal shoes and traditionally, it is wrong to combine a dress shoe with casual outfits (except for the sake of Sprezzatura in which case you really need to know how to pull this one off). If you really want to dress up this look, a double monk strap is a better choice of footwear instead of an Oxford or Derby.

The Chinos pants and Polo t-shirt combo is a well known casual look, therefore wearing this look with a less formal shoe like loafers or boat shoes is ideal. See the picture below.

Green polo, White chinos, Grey driving shoes

#3. Don’t wear your Chinos pants with Slippers or Sandals

Slippers and Sandals are meant for cool comfort and ventilation.  Wearing a pair of slippers or sandals with this stylish pair of pants is not stylish and classy. Just because chinos pants are versatile, doesn’t mean it can be worn with just anything.

The only exception to this style rule is when you are wearing chinos at the comfort of your home. But wait, what’s wrong with your shorts?

Final Thoughts

As you’ve learned today, chinos is clearly an essential wardrobe staple that you should have. By following the rules in this guide, you should be able to wear your chinos pants stylishly like a true gentleman.

If you want to know more about shoe types for different occasions, check out the image below.

Until next time gentlemen, continue to live well, do well and dress really well. Stay Classy!

Yours in Style,

Kobi O. Mbagwu [Mr. Kobi]

Founder, KOBI KOACHMAN
Editor-In-Chief, MrKoachman.com

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KOBI KOACHMAN

My name is Kobi O. Mbagwu, a professional image consultant, menswear expert, and entrepreneur who uses fashion to change people’s lives. My personal goal is to help gentlemen dress better, live well, do well and develop a unique personal style that matches their lifestyle and goals. I believe that success can be built through style. I believe that fashion is a tool that can be used to change people’s lives positively. I strongly believe that if you dress well, you look good, and if you look good, you feel good and when you feel good, you worry less, and the less you worry the more you are able to stay motivated and focused on your goals pursuit and by so doing you are able to live a more fulfilling and successful life.

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