Shelve your denims. As the stifling summers continue to reign, it’s about time you said goodbye to the conventional blue and black denims and welcomed to your wardrobe something more refreshing and comfortable.
Chinos, pants made in pure cotton, are the best bet for summer. Apt for all casual and semi-formal occasions, you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to colours — from mint green to Bordeaux purple, these trousers have it all. “Chinos are for everybody, from premium executives to a college-goer,” says designer Antwin James.
Chinos, a more dressy and well-fitted version of the good-old khakis, have been a celebrity favourite of late, with the One-Direction boys as the unofficial brand ambassadors. They are extremely versatile and can be paired with dress shirts to graphic tees, depending on what look you are aiming for. “Chinos are the safest way to stand out in a crowd which is clad mostly in blue denims, navy and charcoal trousers.
Call it a cliché, but a ‘pop of colours’ aptly describes the spring/summer trend 2014 for trousers.
Pastel tones of cool blue and mint paired with the classic white linen shirt makes for an uber cool daytime look in summer while pop colours such as mustard, tangerine, cherry and radiant orchid paired with printed shirts make for a bold and trendy night out look,” says Purushottam R.V., a designer and fashion blogger.
While chinos are more dressy and more sophisticated than the regular denims, they are definitely not a replacement for dress pants. For events like family gatherings, college functions, a day out with friends or even a date — chinos can be a go-to garment, but for meetings, presentations and formal office-wear, we advise you against them.
When buying chinos, be precise about the fitting and comfort. They are all about the fitted look with tapered legs and defined trim lines but stop before they start restricting your movement or become uncomfortable!
If you are still in confusion as to what chinos are and what they are not, here is a quick look at the etymology of the word — chino is nothing but a Spanish term that refers to China. China happened to be the country where the twill cotton used in these pants was manufactured — hence the name.
Though the fancy name may leave you a trifle intimated, working out a style-statement with these colourful pants, is as fun as it is simple.
Here are a few quick garments and accessories that’ll complement your chinos:
Loafers : For a laidback, comfortable look, pair up your chinos with loafers or moccasins. If you are aiming for a semi-formal look, go for dark-coloured leather loafers. They will give you a hint of the professional air without being uncomfortable or unstylish. For a more casual day-time look, opt for loafers in colours that complement your pants.
Plaid Shirts : Plaid shirts and chinos are a combination that never fail (until you decide to create a fiasco with the colours!). The most interesting part about plaid shirts is that they are super fun to layer with. Wear a normal plain T-shirt with your chinos and complete the look with a plaid shirt thrown on top. If you are opting for sober coloured T-shirts and trousers, choose a bright coloured shirt and vice versa.
Scarves : If chosen carefully, scarves can open up a whole new range of options for dressing-up your chinos in a casual way. Again, choose the colours carefully. Until it is extremely important, do not mix a lot of colours in the same look.
Classic whites: Classic white shirts or T-shirts worn with chinos are the epitome of cool. Perfect for a day-look, they go well with almost all the shades which your chinos have to offer. Pick up the colours that suit your mood and style. Instead of going for colours like bright reds, flashy purples or oranges, go for subtler pastel shades or colours from tan/brown family.
Graphic T-shirts : For a funky look, especially for college or a day out with friends, a graphic T-shirt and a pair of chinos is all you need (and a pair of sneakers/loafers). Chinos would be a welcome change from the denims that you usually wear with your graphic T-shirts and will definitely give you the edge. You can roll up your chinos to reveal your ankles for a trendier look.
