#OOTD: How to Wear Chinos for Men Right Now

Look, there are certain menswear essentials a guy just has to rely on nearly every single day. You’ve got to be able to count on certain building blocks of your wardrobe to come through in the clutch, be it casual days at the office, late summer weekend hangouts or really, anything in between. Enter my guide on how to wear chinos for men, and let’s specifically take a deeper dive into the “chinos” that aren’t exactly like the chinos you wore in days gone by (perhaps baggy and with pleats, right?). The pants in today’s #OOTD are the stellar Flint and Tinder 365 Pants, which are less like full-on chinos and more like a nice blend between your favorite pair of denim and dress pants. Think of this like a Flint and Tinder review, or else, a buying guide about how to look great when wearing chinos. It can be done, folks, and that’s especially true if you’re wearing them with other classics, like the best chukka boots for men.

Now, I’ve waxed poetic here on the blog about the best pants for men on the market, like the very pants you’re about to read about today. They’re a versatile cross between rugged and refined, ready for adventure (even if adventure just happens to be kicking back at a brewery patio). Plus, the Flint and Tinder 365 Pants can be mixed and matched to your heart’s content, whether you wear ’em with a T-shirt and a trucker jacket, or with a classic Oxford shirt. If your wardrobe feels a bit stale, then adding some utility and versatility via the Flint and Tinder 365 Pants is the way to go. Check out today’s #OOTD, then give me a follow on Twitter to tell me if it’s what you’re looking for these days.

  • The Chinos: Flint and Tinder 365 Pants, $98 — There really is a ton to love about the iconic Flint and Tinder 365 Pants, including the fact that they’re made with a blend of cotton and spandex for ease of movement. They’re also available in three fits, a wide range of sizes and plenty of colors for every style. Let’s go with classic Navy here.
  • The T-Shirt: Proof 72-Hour Merino Tee, $72 — Haven’t yet tried the perfect-fitting, moisture-wicking, endlessly versatile Proof 72-Hour Merino Tee? Now’s your chance, because this tee is polished enough to wear to the office (when layered the right way) and cool enough to wear to the bar.
  • The Casual Jacket: Relwen Windbreak Blazer, $261 — Here’s where you can customize your outfit when it comes to how to wear men’s chinos. This casual cotton blazer is ideal to wear for a laidback return to the office, but it’s rugged and laidback enough to work during off-duty gatherings, too.
  • The Chukka Boots: Red Wing Heritage Weekender Chukka Boots, $230 — A go-anywhere pair of rugged men’s chukka boots is exactly what this look needs. Like the Relwen blazer shown above, these have enough polish for a casual workplace and enough style points for happy hour.
  • The Watch: Shinola Monster Automatic, $1,450 — Here’s even more rugged versatility at play. This luxury dive watch is truly a “wear anywhere, wear with anything” kind of timepiece, and it could become your new everyday watch to wear into fall and winter.
  • The Socks: American Trench Retro Stripe Socks, $12.50 — No great #OOTD is complete without a pair of the best socks for men, the kind you can wear with anything (like rugged chukka boots and chinos).
  • The Everyday Carry: Filson Rugged Twill Tote, $195 — Look, no matter where you’re going, be it to the office or to a weekend getaway, you need a handy way to haul your gear. Enter this true everyday carry essential, one you’ll have for years to come.
  • The Sunglasses: Taylor Stitch Nelson Sunglasses, $298 — Believe you me, it’s more than worth investing in a pair of the coolest men’s sunglasses, especially if they come from Taylor Stitch. This collaboration pair, made with luxury eyewear brand Dom Vetro, is a sharp way to accessorize from summer into early fall.

It’s high time you geared up for the (eventual) end of summer and the start of early fall. How best to do that? By wearing classic menswear picks that actually work as well in September and October as they do right now. The key behind it all, naturally, has got to be the Flint and Tinder 365 Pants, which wear like jeans, look like chinos and perform stylishly no matter what. The comfortable, wear-with-anything Proof 72-Hour Merino Tee is your next move, because it’s wearable for days on end, it wicks away sweat and it looks mighty fine with a blazer (like the casual cotton blazer shown above) or something a little more rugged, like the classic Flint and Tinder Waxed Trucker Jacket (it’s also worth buying one of those right now, in preparation for fall). The only pair of shoes you need to lace up with this look would be durable, dependable chukka boots, which wear pretty nicely with the best socks for men (it helps that the socks are American-made, too).

Splurge just a little bit on a luxury dive watch you can team with looks dressy and casual. The same can be said for the truly versatile and hard-working Filson Rugged Twill Tote shown here. The final piece is a standout, instantly recognizable pair of the coolest men’s sunglasses, which are certainly more than worth the investment. At the end of the day, the best menswear is the kind that’s versatile, fairly priced and able to be worn anywhere. This #OOTD checks all the right boxes, I’d say. Happy shopping!

Style Pick of the Week: Buck Mason Sand Chinos

Editor’s note: Expect these posts weekly detailing one standout item coveted by yours truly. Sometimes, these fit within budgetary restrictions and other times, they’re expensive splurges worth saving for. For more Wish List items from Beau, head here, and to see other Style Picks, head here.

The perfect pair of four-season chinos -- just maybe?

The perfect pair of four-season chinos — just maybe?

 

Even though summer is well and truly here (being past Memorial Day and all), it seems like there’s still an adjustment period in terms of what works and what doesn’t in terms of all-season wear. On a personal level, that means it still feels weird to ditch even light wash denim in favor of shorts, for example. That’s why it’s a positive (and useful) thing to be able to incorporate simple seasonal style essentials into your #OOTD no matter the weather. And in this instance, a great pair of cotton chinos definitely qualifies as a four-season #menswear staple. So if you recognize the chinos at the top of this page, you’re in good company. Buck Mason has popped up from time to time on The Style Guide before (including the brand’s classic blue Oxford),  and they’re back again today for very good reason. Finding investment pieces that work in multiple outfits is a tough thing if you don’t know where to look (or even if you do), and the brand’s Sand Chinos are just the ticket to solving those issues — and although they come in shades ranging from Olive to Iron, the Sand color is the way to go this week. Crafted from a 10oz. cotton twill in a color that’s a versatile take on khaki, they feature a tailored fit, a mid rise and the sort of look that works with everything from a slub pocket tee to a slim polo and classic navy sneakers. Really, that’s just the start.

Easily wearable with classic sneakers and a white shirt.

Easily wearable with classic sneakers and a white shirt.

They’re American-made, so that’s another thing going for ’em. And although the price is higher than, say, the Taylor Stitch Standard Issue Chino, it’s just as worth it.  Particularly in the summer, they’ll work just as well as your favorite pair of classic dark denim. Pair these with a slim white henley and brown leather sneakers for crisp weekend style, or toss these on with a cheeky graphic tee and chukka boots for a night out. And during the work week, they’re an especially solid style move — with a slim chambray shirt and brown suede wingtips, they’ll set you apart from other folks at the office — in a good way.  And even for an outdoor wedding, they’ll do the trick. Sharp leather loafers and a white chambray shirt are the ideal complements for such a style scenario, and they’ll do you well in cold weather with a  shawl cardigan and thermal henley. So that’s 12-month style for one price up front — not a bad deal, right? Let me know what you think over on Twitter, and thanks for reading!

Have you tried out Buck Mason chinos? How would you style this pair?