Khakis/Chinos that Don't Look 'Old'

[fruitymetcalfe]

I've got a couple of pairs of khakis (RLPL and Hackett) that both fit like formal trousers. OK with nice shoes, shirt, jacket etc, but they don't look so good in dressed-down or 'youthful' (hem, hem) mode. Any recommendations or ideas for khakis/chinos that would work in these latter situations? Reasonably slim-fitting and available in the UK. Maybe cut more like jeans than trousers...?

Thanks,

F.

 

[montecristo#4]

I've got a pair of PDCs that aren't bad. But I'm curious if anyone has any better ideas. Bump.

 

[dusty]

PC had some sweet-looking ones, but only S/M/L and $165.

 

[jpgm]

i picked up some really nice trovatas recently.

 

[LA Guy]

Mason's and Weber generally have some nice takes on military styled cargos or chinos. The very best chino-variants I've seen, however, are by Alan Bilzerian, who owns a store in Boston. I don't know if he even distributes anywhere else though... I have seen two pairs in the past two months than I would wear. I I generally hate chinos.

 

[drake]

That's because they are odd trousers. I'm guessing these are lined to the knee? They are not khakis/chinos.

J. Crew has some okay ones, but they don't age well. After a wash or two they start to look like they have been through 30 or so washes, maybe this is the look you are going for? You can get their chinos in slim fits as well but be warned they have a tapered leg.

Originally Posted by fruitymetcalfe

I've got a couple of pairs of khakis (RLPL and Hackett) that both fit like formal trousers.

 

[montecristo#4]

I'd buy these if they were long enough to fit me:

http://www.activeendeavors.com/produ...&pfid=AED09532

 

[Arethusa]

J Crew's chinos may not be quite old mannish, but they're in that direction. I wouldn't wear them unless I needed to for a job.

Those 5EPs look nice, but I can't get past the 12" rise and the utterly insane price.

 

[montecristo#4]

Originally Posted by Arethusa

J Crew's chinos may not be quite old mannish, but they're in that direction. I wouldn't wear them unless I needed to for a job.

Those 5EPs look nice, but I can't get past the 12" rise and the utterly insane price.

Wow, I didn't see that they had a 12" rise. The ridiculous rise is also the problem with JCrew.

My PDC's are really, really low rise. That's part of the reason I like them.

 

[DrBot]

Express makes a decent slim pant: The Producer

http://www.expressfashion.com/styles...jsp?groupId=41

 

[raley]

Originally Posted by DrBot

Express makes a decent slim pant: The Producer

http://www.expressfashion.com/styles...jsp?groupId=41

I've found the fabric on Express' pants to just be horrible though. I have a pair of these and they are barely wearable - the fabric is paper thin, rough, and wrinkles like crazy.

Has anyone tried Zara?

 

[Arethusa]

Originally Posted by DrBot

Express makes a decent slim pant: The Producer http://www.expressfashion.com/styles...jsp?groupId=41
I'm sorry, but no, they don't. Like most stuff from Express, they'll start to fall apart on you in a couple months, if not sooner.

 

[montecristo#4]

Originally Posted by raley

I've found the fabric on Express' pants to just be horrible though. I have a pair of these and they are barely wearable - the fabric is paper thin, rough, and wrinkles like crazy.

Has anyone tried Zara?

Nope, their stuff just isn't designed to fit tall people. Besides, the fabrics are too technical. I have the same issue with Banana Republic. Everything looks like a poly blend, even if it isn't.

 

[gza]

I think fit may be the key difference between "old-man" chinos and the more fashion-forward variety. If they're high-rise, loose in the seat and thigh but tapering down to the ankle, that will definitely project an older, stodgier image. But chinos that are either slim and straight, slim and tapered, or loose all the way down can definitely look youthful. I've yet to see a true bootcut chino (not including jean-cut cotton pants).

In regard to the 5EP's, based on the company's philosophy, I imagine these pants are an attempt to recreate the original military variety, hence the higher rise. With that 12 inches of rise, though, the 32" inseam may be enough for taller guys too.

I don't know much about Bill's khakis, but I believe they are also intended as a militaryesque quasi-reproduction. They're also half the price of 5EP. But just based on their marketing and target demographic, I wouldn't dare recommend them to someone seeking a "youthful" pair of chinos.

I think your best bet would be Yoox...they always have a wide variety of this sort of thing, both from more well-established makers like Weber and Mason's and also a ton of labels you've probably never seen.

 

[Arethusa]

I'd be willing to give 5EP's take on the military chino if the price weren't so ridiculous. There is absolutely nothing reasonable about a $250 pair of chinos.

Also, Banana Republic has a true bootcut chino. The bootcut is rather large, though, the cut is rather bland, and the rise is rather high. I wouldn't recommend it.