Chinos OR Linen Trousers? What Is The Ideal Choice?
The fashion industry is often sprawled with such debates which lead to a clothing article becoming the trend. These trends keep the fashion industry going on wheels as the seasons change. Especially when it comes to men’s fashion the boom of styles have become massive and the boundaries have been blurred. Practicality, comfort and uniqueness have become the underlining factors of the changing styles.
Once the men wardrobe overflowed with shirt and trousers in the formal section while, T-shirts and jeans dominated the casual section. But, as change is the only constant in fashion, the tables have turned with options confusing most men. One such decision that often confuses men is to choose between men’s linen trousers and chino trousers. This article will exactly help make your decision easy while standing in front of your wardrobe.
Linen – A Timeless Trouser
The men’s linen trousers were once considered as the go-to style for 90’s singers while the modern cuts and wide colour palette has made resurgence of men’s linen trousers possible. After resurgence, Linen is viewed as the summer saviour. The credit goes to its functionality appeal in terms of feeling cool and breath space. A major downside with the men’s linen trousers is it wrinkles much. But, there not much to worry as fashion scientists is developing crease-free linen. The latest linens will look less like a mess and more dishevelled. Go for heavier weights to mitigate the effects of creases.
If you are trying to figure out a way to style men’s linen trousers, you have two directions, tailored or casual.
Formal: tailored look is easy to put together. Start the ensemble with pleated trouser front, Cuban Collar shirt with atonal blazer if the temperature allows it. Avoid pairing linen shirts with men’s linen trousers to avoid looking dishrag at the end of the day. Opt for cotton or tencel shirt to incorporate contrast in texture.
Casual: if you are aiming more modern take, wear the men’s linen trousers like wearing pair of smart joggers. Pair the trousers with block-coloured or neutral T-shirt or a causal shirt to achieve the beach-ready look. Complete the look with easy-earing high tops or subtle trainers to keep the cool in the warmer months.
What to see in a linen trouser?
Now that you have made up your mind to try men’s linen trouser for the warmer months, choosing the right trousers is more crucial to pull-off the look you want.
Fabric
The bright side of men’s linen trousers when the sun is over the horizon is due to fabric’s unique structure. The low thread count and high absorbent nature of the fabric maintains cool and allows better ventilation. One hundred per cent linen can become a hassle to care for hence you can try your hands on linen blends. Linen will provide a flattering drape to the trouser while the cotton or polyester blend makes easy care possible.
The fit
As linen doesn’t have a natural stretch, opting for a loose pair of trousers with decent drape will be a good choice. Don’t go for too loose fits to avoid looking like a drunken chicken. You can also give try to the wide array fit that comes in day by day. Give your outfit an instant upgrade with tapered legs, turned up hems and drawstring waists.
Colour
As linen is a natural fibre, earthy tone such as dark neutrals, khaki, and brown will agree with a lot of outfits. While neutrals and browns goes hand in hand with casual, washed navy or denim-style men’s linen trousers will look smarter making it perfect for formal occasions.
Chinos – All-time favourite
Chinos are considered the most practical and versatile pair of trousers. Like denim trousers chino pants are a pair of wardrobe must haves. All credit goes to chinos as it can cater to whatever look you aim to pull off. The chinos can cross the boundaries between casual and formal based on what it is paired with. The fact that chinos can be mixed with almost anything makes it an instant favourite for many. Is it confusing to put together a smart casual ensemble with chinos? Well, it won’t be confusing anymore.
Chinos are the perfect choice for any occasion with ambiguous dress code. The trick is to figure out the right cut and the perfect colour that will never deceive you. You can dress the trousers for both casual and smart occasions and here is an idea for you to go about
Casual: Layer a sharp chino with t-shirts and over shirts or bomber jacket to look cucumber given any casual event. A bug trend today is to go for a slightly wider leg and create a tapering bottom by rolling at the ankle.
Formal: For a smarter take, choose a slimmer fit chino and pair it with a formal shirt or t-shirt tucked in along with a blazer. If you are confident about colour your palette you can experiment with mix and match.
What to look for in a chino?
Fit
The fit of the chino mainly depends on the occasion and also your personal style. In formal occasion with mild casual touch, you can go for mid-weight cotton with structure that mimics a suit or formal trousers. While shopping, opt for a pair that sits perfectly on the hip without any bunching and with tapering at ankle. Stick to the rules of the fit (sit on hip comfortably without any eyesore and the length should fit your style) to avoid any sartorial blunders.
Color
Though Khaki is the true nature of chino trousers, you can venture a journey into the colour choices this season. The most popular colours for men today in the chino section are soothing rose, lilac grey, peach and light red as they are easy to wear. Counteract the subtle colours with dark aesthetic shirts, blazer or a jacket. You can take the classic road with neutrals like navy or grey chinos.
Wrap Up
Now coming down to the question, the occasion and setting calls for different decisions. You can alternate between both chinos and men’s linen trousers. While both the trousers can be worn in both formal and casual setting, the choice is ultimately ours. You can pick one based on what look you want to pull-off for the event.
