Chinos sit between dress pants and jeans. Neat enough for an office that isn't especially formal, easy enough for the weekend.
The fabric is cotton twill: smoother than denim, more textured than suiting. That is why chinos rarely look out of place.
The most useful colors
Khaki and navy first. Between them, they cover almost everything you need day to day. Black reads more formal but dulls faster, and cream asks more of you in upkeep.
The cut
Slim or straight, depending on your thighs. A chino cut too close loses the ease that made it a chino in the first place, and starts to look like dress pants in the wrong fabric.
Ankle length, or just above the shoe. Chinos that stack on the shoe look oversized immediately, because the fabric is heavy enough to hold a fold.
How to wear them to the office
Oxford shirt tucked in, leather belt, closed shoes. Without changing the pants, swap the shirt for a tee and the same set is ready for the evening.
What to accept
Chinos will soften and fade a little after a few washes. That is normal for cotton twill, and it usually makes them better to wear. If you want a color that stays exactly where it started, polyester dress pants are the better answer.
