It’s a hot day, a real scorcher, and you know that you will be spending a good part of it outdoors. You think about putting on a pair of shorts, but you know you are going to be in some social situations while out and about where those might be a bit too much on the casual side to feel comfortable in. Blue jeans are also not an option, so what are you going to wear? The answer is a nice pair of chinos, not too causal, not too formal, and nice and light for enjoying the heat of the day!
Everybody has a pair of chino pants in their wardrobe, they are such a versatile and comfortable item of clothing that they are a universal must-have! But, what exactly are chinos, and how did they get their iconic name? Let’s find out!
First off, let’s define the elements that make a pair of pants earn the name chino:
- The Fabric – Chinos are made from a lightweight cotton twill fabric that is quite breathable and cooling, making them the perfect choice for the country club, the marina, an office picnic, or anywhere else you want to look sharp on a sunny day without breaking a sweat!
- The Details – The chino is characterised by its lack of a pleat, a feature that harkens back to its military origins when a pleat was considered to be a waste of precious materials during wartime. The idea stuck, and that’s why it’s so easy to roll up a pair of chinos when its time to go wading!
- The Cut – Chino’s are the epitome of smart casual. Their classic design features a tapered cut that is wider at the thighs and hips, and grows narrower at the ankles.
- The Colours – Chinos in their most traditional incarnation are coloured khaki, but similar shades like beige, camel, or even cream white are also used. These days you can find them in a wider variety of colours such as navy blue, taupe, wine, and olive green.
So, how did chinos get their name? No one can be completely sure, but there are two distinct theories about their origins.
The first version states that chinos got their name from the Spanish word chino, meaning Chinese. Their cotton twill fabric was imported from China to the Philippines in the 19th century during Spanish colonial rule. The Spanish army liked to wear them because they were sturdy but lightweight and comfortable in the oppressive tropical heat. The soldiers nicknamed their pants “chinos” based on their origin, and it stuck! It is said that the iconic khaki colour was borrowed from British troupes in India who dyed their white military trousers tan to match the all-pervasive dust of the subcontinent!
The second version of the name’s origin name comes from South America, where the word “chino” was used to describe light brown roasted coffee beans, a nod to their classic khaki colour.
Whatever the true origin was will remain a mystery, but what’s important is the chino’s staying power, they are more popular today than ever!
