Cotton Chinos - Shades of Khaki

[iamelectroman]

I already own chinos in navy blue, coal grey, and olive green. I'm looking to get a few more pairs of chinos and I'm leaning towards getting them in a few different shades of brown/khaki. What are your thoughts and opinions on these options and which ones do you think I should get? I'm not looking for the single best shade or the top [X] shades from these options. Ideally, I want to get as many pairs of chinos as I can (from these options) that look good.

Option #1

Option #2

Option #3

Option #4

Option #5

Option #6

 

[paxonus]

1, 4 and 6 in that order.

 

[blandcs2000]

I agree with Paxonus. Chinos in darker earth-tone shades are much less versatile, as it is generally preferable to pair a darker sport coat with lighter trousers (there are exceptions, of course), so you will get way more use from colors 1, 4, and 6.

 

[iamelectroman]

I agree with Paxonus. Chinos in darker earth-tone shades are much less versatile, as it is generally preferable to pair a darker sport coat with lighter trousers (there are exceptions, of course), so you will get way more use from colors 1, 4, and 6.

What would be the exceptions for darker earth-toned chinos?

 

[blandcs2000]

What would be the exceptions for darker earth-toned chinos?

Dark brown chinos would probably look okay with a sport coat that had a pattern with brown elements, such as a blue, brown, orange guncheck.

I have also seen darker earth tone/brown trousers pared with tan or camel sport coats, but it's not a look that I am particularly fond of.

Lastly, I have seen a few pair brown trousers with mid-blue sport coats, and while from a color complement perspective it should work, unless the shades and tones of each garment are just right, it usually looks off.

 

[iamelectroman]

Dark brown chinos would probably look okay with a sport coat that had a pattern with brown elements, such as a blue, brown, orange guncheck.

I have also seen darker earth tone/brown trousers pared with tan or camel sport coats, but it's not a look that I am particularly fond of.

Lastly, I have seen a few pair brown trousers with mid-blue sport coats, and while from a color complement perspective it should work, unless the shades and tones of each garment are just right, it usually looks off.

Do you think it would be wiser to get chinos in shades of varying intensity (light, medium, dark) for the most versatility? I feel like #4 and #6 are very similar in color (I'm guessing the outfit combinations would be very similar for both pairs of chinos, and it wouldn't make sense to start off with something so nuanced).

 

[Anachronist]

I would definitely add a light beige/off-white one to the collection. Especially in summer you can combine them with virtually anything. Instead of the darker shades as a chino I would consider a worsted woolen pair of slacks, but that’s just me as I prefer the lightness and better temperature management of woolens (they are cooler in summer and warmer in winter) and overall lower maintenance.

 

[blandcs2000]

Do you think it would be wiser to get chinos in shades of varying intensity (light, medium, dark) for the most versatility? I feel like #4 and #6 are very similar in color (I'm guessing the outfit combinations would be very similar for both pairs of chinos, and it wouldn't make sense to start off with something so nuanced).

What you are describing is essentially the difference between shade and hue. It really depends on how many pairs you want to invest in. Option 1 is by far the most versatile (but also the least interesting) so you can't really go wrong with 1 but it would be a bit boring to just have a bunch of khaki in varying shades.

4 and 6 (from the photos) appear to have a more burnt umber / reddish hue, whuch is a stronger, more dominant color; hence they are less versatile because they will go with fewer other items but potentially be more interesting / striking if paired with the right items.

Personally, I have a few shades of color 1 (from very pale to a deeper, almost mustard shade) and a few pairs similar to 4 and 6 in a mid-shade.

 

[iamelectroman]

What you are describing is essentially the difference between shade and hue. It really depends on how many pairs you want to invest in. Option 1 is by far the most versatile (but also the least interesting) so you can't really go wrong with 1 but it would be a bit boring to just have a bunch of khaki in varying shades.

4 and 6 (from the photos) appear to have a more burnt umber / reddish hue, whuch is a stronger, more dominant color; hence they are less versatile because they will go with fewer other items but potentially be more interesting / striking if paired with the right items.

Personally, I have a few shades of color 1 (from very pale to a deeper, almost mustard shade) and a few pairs similar to 4 and 6 in a mid-shade.

I figured #1 would be the most versatile cause it seems to be the quintessential khaki chino, so I'm likely going to get that one for sure.

What are your opinions on #5? I have a feeling that #2 and #3 (thoughts?) may be a tad too dark of a color, but #5 seems to look closest to an all-purpose brown pair of chinos.

 

[iamelectroman]

I would definitely add a light beige/off-white one to the collection. Especially in summer you can combine them with virtually anything. Instead of the darker shades as a chino I would consider a worsted woolen pair of slacks, but that’s just me as I prefer the lightness and better temperature management of woolens (they are cooler in summer and warmer in winter) and overall lower maintenance.

Are you referring to a pair of chinos thats even lighter than #1?

 

[blandcs2000]

I figured #1 would be the most versatile cause it seems to be the quintessential khaki chino, so I'm likely going to get that one for sure.

What are your opinions on #5? I have a feeling that #2 and #3 (thoughts?) may be a tad too dark of a color, but #5 seems to look closest to an all-purpose brown pair of chinos.

If you want a pair of brown chinos, 2, 3, and 5 would probably all work, but I personally prefer 3.

From the photos, 2 looks so dark that it would almost read as black from a distance / in the wrong light; which would almost certainly not look right with any outfit designed to harmonize with brown.

5 looks too light, almost a bit washed out, and I feel it would not be dark enough to contrast with a light jacket yet too light to contrast with a dark jacket.

3 however, seems to read as a nice, rich brown, so for the (somewhat limited) array of outfits that would work with brown trousers, I suspect 3 may be the most versatile.

 

[Anachronist]

Are you referring to a pair of chinos thats even lighter than #1?

Yes, I was thinking of a much lighter tone direction sand or even off-white. Have a look at this website which gives some inspiration as to pairing different colored chinos. You‘ll find the (off)white is very versatile and likely the best summer color you can go for in this garment, no matter if you’re wearing it with a t-shirt, polo, linen summer shirt, Hawaii shirt, or a light sweater, not to speak of the various colors of sport jackets you can pair it with ;-)

 

[ddesoran9]

first ones looks so great

 

[Casaubon]

Yes, I was thinking of a much lighter tone direction sand or even off-white. Have a look at this website which gives some inspiration as to pairing different colored chinos. You‘ll find the (off)white is very versatile and likely the best summer color you can go for in this garment, no matter if you’re wearing it with a t-shirt, polo, linen summer shirt, Hawaii shirt, or a light sweater, not to speak of the various colors of sport jackets you can pair it with ;-)

I second this, my off-white chinos have proven to be very useful in spring and summer. That plus three other pairs that I own -- in navy, olive green, and ones similar to option #6 from above -- and I'm set for the entire year (barring more formal occasions, naturally).