Need new source of men's Real chinos!

November 16, 2024 12:01 PM

I have worn khaki chinos for years, but as I'm looking to buy new ones, I can't find what I want at the usual stores. Please help!

The chinos I'm used to have a tough fabric with very noticable heavy threads (probably not describing this well). Today when I check out my usual sources, such as Eddie Bauer or Dockers, even though they say all cotton, the fabric is not the same. It seems very smooth, thin, light; not what I'm used to or want.

Have you noticed this? Do you have a source of men's khaki chinos more like the old style I've described?

Please note that I'm not looking for very heavy, fire hose pants that are available!

Thanks!

posted by Rad_Boy to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (13 answers total)

I don't have a specific brand recommendation for you here, but looking for '1940s chino,' 'WWII chino' (a style), or 'drill' (a type of fabric) might be helpful.
posted by box at 12:13 PM on November 16

Bill’s Khakis are the best I’ve been able to find. Their Bullard Twill khakis were best but they don’t seem to make that anymore. But their standard flat front M2 Original Twill is a 9.5 oz twill and they hold up a long long time, like a decade. They are expensive as heck.
posted by kiblinger at 12:40 PM on November 16 [1 favorite]

I don’t have a recommendation , but it’s not your imagination. The pressures of fast fashion have killed clothing quality, even at many formerly quality brands.
posted by Winnie the Proust at 3:23 PM on November 16 [2 favorites]

It's possible Land's End would work for you, in terms of similar price point with better quality. Returns are easy, if not.
posted by kensington314 at 4:19 PM on November 16 [1 favorite]

Some Japanese clothing companies make extremely high quality recreations of classic American vintage garments. One such company is The Real McCoys. The quality of these is legendary.
posted by conrad53 at 4:34 PM on November 16

I’m in the market for some new chinos too. I’ve been looking at ll bean.

I also found all American khakis in my search. They looked promising, but I have not decided if I am going to try them yet.

Edited to add: historically I’ve had success with banana republic and I’ll be following with interest.
posted by bruinfan at 6:13 PM on November 16

I used to buy pants from Duluth like over 10 years ago? They were very durable. Haven’t been there in a while but worth checking out.
posted by drowsy at 6:34 PM on November 16

LL Bean has sturdy khakis. I don't love the wrinkle-free option, but it's popular. Check the fabric weight - LL Bean has a pair that describes midweight as 8.6 oz. fabric. Duluth Trading has some.sturdy khaki-like pants.
posted by theora55 at 6:40 PM on November 16 [1 favorite]

Apart from what others have mentioned, the current era J Crew “classic chinos” are robust, priced well, and I would recommend them. They do run a little large fyi.
posted by Parkaboy at 7:56 PM on November 16

Gustin has some nice robust chinos.
posted by saladin at 4:46 AM on November 17

I looked at my Banana Republic chinos and they are pretty thin.
posted by bruinfan at 5:08 AM on November 17

I’m pretty happy with my Land’s End all cotton chinos. They have worn well and lasted a long time. I can see some texture to the fabric, and they are certainly heavier than a lot of options out there, but I don’t know if they are as heavy and textured as you would like. They certainly aren’t as heavy as jeans, if that is the weight you are looking for. Land’s End regularly has 60% off sales and the like, so I always wait for a sale to order from them. They have a sale right now, at least for Canadian customers, so I just put in an order for a few more pairs.
posted by fimbulvetr at 9:10 AM on November 17

Duer has just added some canvas pants that might do the job.
posted by Enid Lareg at 11:19 AM on November 17