Chinos vs khakis: Which style suits your wardrobe better?

Are you thinking of a wardrobe refresh? Consider adding chinos and khakis to your shopping list! They’re versatile staples, perfect for business casual and everyday wear. 

But before you hit the stores, take some time to learn more about chinos vs khakis and how they differ to find out which best suits your style. You can use this article as your guide when choosing between these two casual pants. 

What are chinos? 

Smart casual chinos with a light blue shirt for a refined look. (Source: iStock)

Chinos are pants made from lightweight, cotton-based fabric with a flat front. They usually don’t have pleats or folds to offer a more polished and relaxed fit. 

Before, chinos were used as uniform trousers for American soldiers stationed in the Philippines during the Spanish-American War. Since the Philippines has a warm, tropical climate, the soldiers needed durable and comfortable uniforms, leading to the creation of chinos pants. These pants were made from fabric sourced from China, so they eventually were called chinos because China translates 'chino' in Spanish. 

After the war, some returning soldiers or veterans were given opportunities to attend college, thanks to the GI Bill. While attending classes, the soldiers still wore their chino pants, which soon became a fashion trend among students, particularly in the Ivy League. 

Back then, chinos pants were made from breathable and lightweight cotton twill. But today, you can find chinos pants made from cotton-blend fabrics, and some manufacturers incorporate synthetic fabrics for added stretch and durability. 

What are khakis?

Casual khakis styled with a simple white T-shirt. (Source: iStock)

Khakis are made from heavy cotton twill fabrics. They usually have a straight leg cut that falls from the hip to the ankle and a loose fit, which provides more comfort and ease of movement.

Khakis were first used by British military troops during their colonial campaigns in India. Initially, they wore scarlet and white uniforms, but since India had a hot climate, the soldiers switched to khaki uniforms made from comfortable cotton fabrics with a camouflage colour. This historical event also birthed the term khakis because 'khaki' means dust-coloured in Urdu, an Indo-Aryan language widely used by Muslims in India. 

A few years later, US military troops also adopted khaki-coloured uniforms during the Spanish-American War. This is why today, you’ll notice an overlap in design and term usage between modern chinos and khaki pants. 

Also, In the modern setting, khakis are worn for casual and outdoor wear. Some also use them to create a smart casual outfit for office wear.

Khaki pants vs chinos: What are the key differences?

Since the history of chinos and khakis overlap, many confuse them with the same type of pants. However, they have subtle differences that you can easily miss if you’re not much into fashion. 

In terms of fabric material

Sturdy cotton fabric in khaki pants for everyday wear. (Source: iStock)

Chinos are usually made from light and breathable cotton twill, which makes them perfect for hot summer months. Some are even made with cotton-blend fabrics, which consist of synthetic fibres like elastane. Elastane is commonly found in performance chinos and adds stretch to the fabric, helping you move around more easily. 

Meanwhile, khakis are ideal for outdoor use because they’re made from heavy cotton fabrics with a rough texture. Because of their rugged and durable design, these pants even became a staple among famous explorers and adventurers like Theodore Roosevelt in the early 20th century. 

Some cotton-made khakis use a blend of synthetic fibres, like polyester, to reduce wrinkling, but these are less common since pure cotton variants are still the standard. 

In terms of style and cut 

Chinos have a tapered leg cut that narrows from the waistline down to the ankles. They also have a medium-rise style, with the pants’ waistband sitting slightly lower around the waist. Additionally, they have a concealed pocket design with clean, hidden stitches, contributing to a dressier and sleeker look.

Since chinos have a more formal and dressier look, you may dress them down and pair them with polo shirts and casual tees for a more relaxed and easygoing style. Pair them with white sneakers and roll up the chinos for a minimalist casual look. But for a more casual chino pants outfit, it’s best to stick with loafers to maintain a polished appearance. 

On the other hand, khakis have a straight pleated cut with a looser and more relaxed fit around the thighs and waist. Their pockets appear more casual with visible seams and zippers, contributing to their utilitarian look. 

So, what to wear with khaki pants? Since khakis look rugged and casual, you can dress them down with a hoodie or denim jacket and mix them up with boots and sneakers. For smart casual attire, dress them up with button-down shirts.  

In terms of formality

Formal chinos paired with heels for a chic travel style. (Source: iStock)

Chinos appear more formal because these pants are made from cotton fabrics with a fine, smooth texture and a slight sheen. Plus, they have a flat front with concealed stitches, giving them a more polished and sophisticated look, suitable for formal wear. You can wear them with a blazer and a button-up shirt for a semi-formal look, which is ideal for business meetings and dinner parties. 

On the flip side, khakis appear less formal than chinos because they use heavy cotton twill fabrics with a rough texture. These pants also feature visible stitching and pockets, contributing to their casual and rugged look. Although you may use khakis for office attire, they’re typically more suited for travel and casual get-togethers with friends. 

However, for formal events like black-tie occasions, chinos and khakis aren’t recommended because both feature a relaxed fit that is unsuitable for the occasion. 

In terms of fit

Chinos provide a more tailored fit due to their tapered cut, which makes the legs look slimmer. Compared to khakis, chinos have a flat front with minimal bulk because these pants have no extra seams to emphasise a polished look. 

What’s also great about chinos is that they come in various sizes, including an athletic fit with a thicker waistband and thigh area and a slim fit for people with slender bodies. So, whatever body type you have, you can find a pair of chinos that fits nicely to your body. 

On the contrary, khakis provide a more relaxed and looser fit, as they have a straight leg cut with a pleated front to offer more room for you to move around comfortably. This fitting design is more common in men’s khaki trousers and slacks. Still, since modern fashion is now more gender-neutral, there are khaki trousers and slacks for women with a more curved waistband to accommodate women’s wider hips.

In terms of colour options

Chinos in a range of colours for every style. (Source: iStock)

Chinos offer more colour options, as they’re available in various colours. Some clothing manufacturers would even produce chinos in seasonal colours, but the most common colours for chinos are black, beige, olive green, and navy blue. They also often come in bold and saturated colours suitable for semi-formal and casual attire.

Conversely, khakis are limited to earthy tones like brown, dark green, olive, tan, and beige. Of course, there’s the classic khaki colour, a light tan shade. This limited colour selection is due to the historical background of khaki pants used as a practical camouflage uniform for soldiers. 

Since the colour options for khakis are limited, you’re probably wondering what colours would go well with khaki trousers. Neutral colours like white, cream, black, or grey usually pair well with khaki pants. You can also consider the shade of khakis. If they’re lighter, go for bolder colours like navy blue and burgundy, but if they’re darker, choose safe, neutral colours. 

In terms of price

Chinos are generally less expensive because of their simpler design. Plus, remember that they are made from lightweight woven cotton fabrics, which cost less than the thick, durable fabrics used in khakis. However, chinos from high-end brands cost as much as branded chinos since both are made from high-quality materials. 

Aside from their initial purchase costs, you may also have to consider alterations and tailoring costs. In Australia, simple alterations for trousers and pants range from $3 - $40, while in tailoring, the fees range from $3 - $45. 

Achieve the perfect fit for your chinos and khakis with Airtasker

If you buy chinos or khakis from malls, they might not fit perfectly straight off the rack. Why not take them to a tailor or seamstress to have them altered? 

You don’t have to go through the hassle of looking for one because, at Airtasker, you can find many alteration experts who can help adjust the fit of your clothes for you. Post a task to connect with these experts today.