Men's trousers and chinos

The chino, from military twill to casual chic

The chino gets its name from the khaki cotton twill that the British and American armies tailored their trousers from in the 19th century, a fabric often imported from China, or chino in Spanish. Brought back by soldiers after World War II, these trousers made their way to American campuses and then to civilian wardrobes. Its cotton twill, fine and lightweight, sometimes enhanced with elastane for comfort, gives it a sharp fall, somewhere between suit trousers and casual wear: it's a staple of casual chic.

Other bottoms

Trousers and jeans also come in various styles:

• Jeans.
• Jogging.
• Cargo.

All bottoms are gathered on the trousers and jeans page.

Slim, tapered or regular: which chino cut

The cut is chosen based on body shape. The slim cut, fitted from hip to ankle, streamlines the silhouette: this is seen in the Jack & Jones Marco, the North Sails Defender, and the KnowledgeCotton Apparel Luca. The tapered cut, like the Selected Garten, allows room in the thighs and narrows down at the bottom, a good compromise for athletic builds. The regular cut, straight, prioritises comfort. Armedangels, a committed German brand, uses organic cotton for its Aaster and Taamir models, and North Sails draws its style from the world of sailing.

Work and travel trousers

For manual work, work trousers focus on durability: the Result in softshell, slim cut, blocks the wind and repels showers, the WK Designed To Work is designed for professional use, and the Payper Wear Worker Stretch Summer, stretchy and lightweight, supports summer projects. The Regatta Travel Light aims for travel and hiking: its lightweight fabric dries quickly and crumples little in a bag. To make trousers last, wash them inside out at thirty degrees, then hang them by the hem so the crease can release without an iron.

Good deals

Good bargains can also be found in good deals, promotions, clearing sales, sales, and Black Friday. The new arrivals showcase the latest collections, and items shipped within 24 hours are prepared and sent within 24 hours. The highlights of the year follow a steady order: Black Friday at the end of autumn, the end-of-year holidays, the winter sales, the French Days in spring, then the summer sales and back-to-school season.

Frequently asked questions

How to fold trousers to save space?

Align the two legs by stacking the seams, fold in half lengthwise, then roll from the hem. When stored rolled in a drawer or suitcase, the trousers crease less and take up less space.

How to store trousers in a wardrobe?

Hang them by the hem with a clip hanger, or folded over the bar of a hanger, to allow the fabric to relax. Cotton chinos thus maintain their fall, without crease marks at the knee.

Can you shorten chinos yourself?

Yes, by marking the desired length with shoes on, then cutting while keeping three to four centimetres of hem for the hem. A sewn hem holds better than an adhesive strip on thick twill.

Why do trousers tear between the legs?

The repeated friction of the thighs while walking wears down the fibres in the crotch, especially on a too-tight cut or fine fabric. A tapered or regular cut, a denser fabric, and washing at low temperatures delay wear.

Is organic cotton as durable?

Yes, organic farming concerns the way the fiber is produced, without pesticides or synthetic fertilizers, not its strength. A well-woven organic cotton twill, like that of Armedangels chinos, lasts as long as conventional cotton.