6 Best Chino Shorts for Men
When you think of the best men’s shorts, what’s the first thing that springs to mind? When I think of shorts, I think of something casual and classic, something easy to wear. In my experience, that means I’m reaching for something like chino shorts, of course.
- A classic made modern: Chino shorts have been a style staple for decades, but today’s chino shorts feature softer fabric with more stretch, and often deliver a more polished fit.
- Built for warm weather: At its core, the chino short is a shorter version of durable cotton chinos. They’re somewhat dressy and able to be worn with handsome loafers and a crisp Oxford shirt.
- Fit for fun: If you favor neutral menswear moves like a white polo or grey pocket tee in the summer months, feel free to throw in some vibrant color via your chino shorts.
Chino is, first and foremost, a type of cotton, with a close-knit weave and hard-wearing construction.
Because we’re talking shorts here, chino often gets an upgrade for summer with the use of stretch fabric, and sometimes, fabric like linen is incorporated into the mix. I prefer shorts that toe the line, like a stretch cotton chino short, and hopefully, you feel the same way.
Flint and Tinder 365 Shorts
Huckberry’s famed Flint and Tinder brand really knocks it out of the park when it comes to the best chino shorts – I’m personally a big fan of the design, season after season, and it only seems to get better.
Here, the key is using the same stretchy, soft-yet-durable fabric as found in the brand’s aptly named 365 Chino Pants. The 7-inch inseam hits the sweet spot, while the range of color options suits every style.
Billy Reid Chino Shorts
It’s time to step up your casual style to the next level. When you wear a pair of stylish chino shorts that have truly been crafted to consider each and every single detail, you tend to notice the difference right away. That’s certainly the case with Billy Reid’s Chino Shorts, which are built with unexpected details like half-moon stitching and bar tacking at the pockets.
Both of those touches deliver next-level durability, while the cotton-twill fabric is garment-washed for exceptional softness. The slim fit at the waist should prove flattering and dressy, making for a perfect pairing with polished loafers and a white polo.
J.Crew Stretch Chino Short
Leave it to J.Crew to design as timeless a pair as any. In fact, my first pair of upgraded, stylish shorts – beyond the cargo shorts of my youth – came from J.Crew, and I’ve been able to rely on the brand in the years since then.
I also appreciate the comfortable stretch chino fabric, plus colors like Dusty Navy and Aircraft Surplus. It also helps that the 7-inch inseam hits above the knee on most guys for a clean, cool look.
Bonobos Stretch Washed Chino Shorts
In the same way that Flint and Tinder took its famed 365 fabric and turned it into shorts, Bonobos has taken a similar tack when it comes to its Stretch Washed Chino Shorts. I’ve found that the brand’s chino shorts are every bit as well-made, comfortable and reliable as the brand’s chinos, with just as many color and fit options to suit every stylish, modern man.
Think of them like a shorter version of the versatile stretch chinos that made the company so popular. The ability to customize your fit (Standard, Slim or Athletic) and inseam length (from 5 inches to 9 inches) is also a major bonus.
AG Wanderer Poplin Chino Shorts
Soft, breezy poplin chino shorts are a solid summer style move, with all the laidback comfort you need, and AG understands that perfectly. They also feature 2 percent elastane for crucial stretch and ease of movement, while bright color options add just a bit of flair to more straightforward summer looks. When it’s time to step out of AG’s famed denim, step into these chino shorts.
Devil-Dog Dungarees Performance Twill Chino Shorts
Although perhaps best known for its denim, Devil-Dog Dungarees takes a classic-meets-modern approach to chino shorts. I’ve found great success wearing the brand’s durable, stretchy and soft yet shape-retaining jeans in particular.
I expect much the same out of its shorts, which use a dependable sanded sateen cotton twill fabric with a hint of stretch for crucial summer style points and mobility. The color is also classic, and the fit (a regular straight fit) is on point, too. They could just be your new go-to summer shorts, just as I can’t get enough of my Devil-Dog Dungarees denim.
How to Style Chino Shorts
In the right cut and color, you can wear them with everything from a pocket tee to a polo to a henley. I’ve found that chino shorts in a relatively tailored fit are suitable for everything from backyard BBQs to a casual brunch. I’ve also paired my chino shorts with a navy polo and loafers, or with a pocket tee and canvas sneakers.
How Should Chino Shorts Fit?
Find the right inseam length (it seems a 7 or 8-inch inseam works on most guys), and then pair them up as you please with your favorite summer style staples. I tend to wear shorts with a 7 or 8-inch inseam myself (I’m 6’3”, for reference). To get you started on your way to expert seasonal style, these are my picks for the best chino shorts.
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