Chino trousers

The term chino comes from the Spanish word for "Chinese" - the original cotton fabric was woven in China at the end of the 19th century for US Army trousers during the Spanish-American War (1898). Returning soldiers popularised them at the East Coast universities in the early 20th century, establishing the trousers as a prototype of the "preppy" Ivy League look.

Technically a chino is a medium-weight cotton twill trouser (200 - 280 g/m²) with mostly straight or slightly tapered legs, side pockets and patch back pockets. The classic colour is khaki (Persian for "dust-coloured"); today chinos come in almost any colour. A small elastane share (2 - 3 %) is often added for freedom of movement.

Chinos are a Business Casual staple and replace the classic suit trouser in many industries (creative agencies, IT, consulting). They are ideal for corporate wear of retail branches, reception teams and field sales because they are durable, washable and less formal than suit trousers. Well-known chino brands are Dockers, Levi's, Ralph Lauren, Uniqlo and in B2B Sol's, Kariban and Kübler.