Men's chinos

Men's chinos have earned their place as the most versatile trouser in the range, holding a cleaner line than jeans while breathing better than a wool trouser through most of the year.

Fabric, waistband and rise

A pair of men's chinos at Hackett London runs 97% cotton twill with 3% elastane, at around 250-280 g/m² — dense enough to hold a pressed crease through a full day while the added stretch keeps the fit moving with the body. A tab waistband, closing with an interior hook rather than the button alone, keeps the fit clean under a shirt without the bulk of a belt buckle. Mid rise is the house standard, with a slim-leg cut available for a tailored line and a straight-leg cut for a looser drape through the thigh.

A sanforized finish, a pre-shrinking treatment applied to the woven cotton before cutting, is what keeps chinos from shrinking unpredictably after the first wash the way untreated cotton twill can.

Chinos versus jeans

Chinos hold a cleaner, more tailored line than denim and pair more naturally with a blazer, while jeans read casual regardless of how they're styled. Men's chinos in a mid-weight cotton bridge the office and the weekend more comfortably than either extreme.

Stone chinos with a navy blazer, white shirt and brown suede loafers, for a client lunch that doesn't call for a full suit.
The same chinos with a plain t-shirt and canvas trainers for a Saturday spent between markets and coffee.

Getting the fit right

A slim-leg chino tapers gradually from the knee down, while a straight-leg style keeps a consistent width the full length of the trouser. Chinos in the mid-rise cut generally suit the widest range of body shapes without needing significant alteration, and a slight break at the shoe reads more considered than a full break piling onto it.

What's the difference between chinos and formal trousers?

Chinos are made from cotton twill with a slight stretch, offering a more casual, textured finish, while formal trousers are typically wool and built for a sharper crease under a suit. Chinos work well for smart-casual settings; formal trousers pair with a full suit or blazer. Both share a similar rise and waistband construction across the range.

Do Hackett London chinos have stretch?

Most chino styles include a small percentage of elastane, typically around 2-3%, blended with cotton for movement through the day without losing the fabric's structured look. Pure cotton styles without stretch are also available for a more traditional, rigid drape. The elastane content is listed in each product's composition details.

What rise is best for chinos?

Mid rise, sitting at the natural waist, suits the widest range of body types and is the standard across the chino range. A low rise can suit slimmer frames looking for a more casual silhouette, while a high rise offers more structure under a jacket. Trying both against a jacket length intended for pairing is the most reliable way to judge.