The Best Chinos for Men Help It All Make Sense

If you want to squeeze the most green out of your hard-earned dollars, the best budget chinos have to be a hardy pair of Dickies 874s. Are they technically work pants? Sure. Will most people be able to tell the difference? No, especially if you wear it with an untucked shirt or with a blazer.

The iconic workwear label has been making its 874 pants for decades, outfitting jobsites for generations, but just because they’re made for hard manual labor doesn’t mean they can’t hold their own around an air-conditioned office. The pants have a mid-high rise with a slightly relaxed straight leg and a permanent center crease—all the makings for a solid dress pant. The Dickies 874 is a poly-cotton blend that’s stiff and a bit rough, but has a sheen that cleans up real nice. Not only are they affordable, they come in a ton of different colors so you can stock the rainbow if you really wanted to.

For what it’s worth, I think the Dickies 874 are one of his best-fitting pants, period. They’re damn-near perfect, and I’ve even worn them to formal events as a dress pant and they looked great. If you’re in a pinch and need some tailored pants fast, you could cop these at your local army surplus store or have them shipped quick with Prime shipping.

Best Upgrade Chinos: Todd Snyder Relaxed Fit Selvedge Chino

Fit: Relaxed | Material: 100% cotton, Japanese selvedge twill | Fly: Button fly | Colors: Khaki, black, olive, white | Sizes: 28-38 waist; 30-34 length

J.Crew’s chinos are great for all the reasons we’ve already talked about. But if you want to upgrade your rig with better materials, an even better fit, and better construction, you should buy the Todd Snyder Relaxed Fit Chinos. They’re made with a medium weight Japanese selvedge twill that’s got a soft drape and peachy hand. The fit takes after mid-century chinos and khakis with a rise that reaches your natural waist and a wide leg that splits the difference between J.Crew’s classic chino and their Giant-fit chinos.

Truth be told, I’ve amassed a small museum of chinos, and I love vintage chinos for their loose cut and superior quality, and these Todd’s selvedge chinos are on par. Plus, you don’t have to spend hours digging through thrift stores. For about $300, they’re certainly an investment, one we think is worth it for the quality. But if that’s too rich for your blood, we also like Todd Snyder’s relaxed fit Favorite Chino, which runs at $188 and has the same fit and nearly identical details, minus the fancy Japanese fabric.

Best Slim-Fit Chinos: Uniqlo Slim Chino Pants

Fit: Slim | Material: 97% Cotton, 3% Spandex | Fly: Zip | Colors: Varies | Sizes: 27-40 waist; 34″ length

The zeitgeist may be all about baggy, but the truth is the state of fashion is really more of an anything-goes situation. So if you’re still after a pair of slim-fit chinos in this Year of Our Lord 2025, there’s no shame in that. And we would suggest you get your legs into a pair of Uniqlo chinos. They’ve been best sellers for years for their tailored cut, solid and slightly stretchy twill fabric which uses the ever-durable and smooth gold-standard of cotton, Supima cotton. With a pair of loafers or some low-profile sneakers like the Adidas Samba, they look clean as a whistle. And because it’s Uniqlo, you’re getting a tremendous value for $50.

Best Wide-Leg Chinos: Studio Nicholson Sorte Trousers

Fit: Wide-leg | Material: 100% cotton twill | Fly: Zip | Colors: Khaki, black, white | Sizes: 30-40