Higher Quality & Office-appropriate version of Uniqlo Vintage Chinos

[shipbroker]

SF! Need your advice. I've been scouring the interwebs and retail stores for a higher quality version of Uniqlo's Regular Fit Vintage Chinos - however I've not been very successful so far. My ideal pair would be a little dressier (i.e. hidden seams vs double seams) since I wear them to the office all the time with a blazer/sport coat. I just moved to Japan for work - so any Japanese brands please point them out! I've seen a few Japanese labels produce nice chinos but they might be a bit too workwear oriented - and lately many brands are getting into the wider leg look which is not going to work for me.

I really like the Unqilo Vintage Chino for the fit - the 91cm/36" size fits me almost perfectly for OTR. The back rise could be higher but apart from that they're close to ideal as I've found OTR regardless of price. In Japan they have a slightly less tapered version which fits me even better - the rise is a bit higher the thighs a bit larger (I've got a got largish seat - which is challenging in Japan for OTR to be honest, even Ring Jacket for blazers in their largest size is a bit too tight for me).

Appreciate your help!

 

[Clouseau]

I have the same question than you, i wear Uniqlo Chinos and find them pretty unbeatable for fit/comfort/look/price… I've also got some Gap Chinos (their best quality, bought them a year ago, i think they are called 'Vintage' too) that are very good (for the price).
But I am looking for better quality ones too, i've heard several times than the Brooks Brothers Advantage Chinos (that exist in different fits) are very good. You can find Brooks Brothers in Japan, you can also find JPress in Japan (or you could), but you will have problably a size problem.

 

[shipbroker]

Thanks for the reply Inspector! Yeah I used to wear BB Advantage Chinos almost religiously - however the Clark's fit a bit too large and the Milano's (especially the rise) were a bit too snug. Lastly the perma-crease has become a big turn off for me. And these days it's getting hard to find the regular weight versions - most stores and online seem to want to push customers over to the lightweight version (which I detest as the fabric is even lighter weight than the Uniqlo's). And in Japan BB like many International brands are priced at a significant premium - think 2x US prices on average. Also the product line up is slightly different - JPress being a good example . - US JPress and Japan JPress are almost 2 different animals. Apart from Shaggy Dogs (which are like 300 USD over here) most of the clothes are Japan specific (along with the sizing issue you mentioned). I'm like a size 42 BB jacket guy and a 36 Milano pants guy - the only widely distributed brand that fits me here is Uniqlo =( All the United Arrows and Beams wonderfulness - I am unable to partake sadly

 

[Clouseau]

Yeah when i was in Japan i could only find clothing in my size at Uniqlo too (i am a 36 in waist too, and a 34-36 in length !). I was mainly in Kansai and i remember BB in Outlets, the price was good but i never found an item in my size ! And Jpress, i found their shops great (can't compare with the US ones unfortunately) but man it looked like dolls clothes (sizing).

Otherwise Avirex (now an Italian brand !) used to sell nice Chinos in different fit but you have to go to Italy (maybe online ?)...
Frankly apart Uniqlo and Gap it's complicated...
You have the high end Workwear/Vintage/Army replica *** Brands (McCoys, probably Orslow, etc) that do some but it will be wide fitting army replicas...

Ha yes, Levi's used to do nice ones, USAF style, but it was a long time ago don't know now...

 

[Clouseau]

Paging @Botolph and @Thin White Duke. Guys some ideas about nice Chinos ?

Edit: @shipbroker, thinking of it, i heard good things about SKU (Save Khaki United)

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