We’re on the homestretch towards summer. So, after you’ve Googled where the nearest pubs with the best beer gardens are, the next logical step is to begin assembling a quality warm-weather wardrobe. Naturally, that means equipping yourself with a selection of handsome shorts – but for those of us who work in an office, need to smarten up for a swanky summer do, or have a general fear of exposing our knobbly knees, the time has come to explore longer lightweight legwear, too. Yes, we’re talking chinos – specifically pairs that come in seasonally-appropriate shades. Although slacks with personality are notoriously hard to pull off outside the home counties (and without a couple of hectares to your name), here are five of our favourite coloured chinos and some tips on how to wear them.
Pink Chinos
You’ll want to tread carefully when donning a pair of pink chinos, because your ability to pull them off successfully hinges entirely on how you style them (and how confident you’re feeling). We suggest keeping the rest of your colour palette neutral and restrained – think a crisp white linen shirt or crew neck tee with low-key loafers or drivers, accessorised with a glass of something fizzy and refined:
Image: Massimo Dutti SS14
Recommended Option
We like this pair from J.Crew (£79.50), which come in flecked chambray and therefore offer a more muted splash of colour:
Green Chinos
Eschew bright green for a more grown up shade of olive. Earthy and muted, olive green chinos are an easy win – but, importantly, suggest you give more of a damn about how you dress than falling back on the standard beige pairs you already have hanging in your wardrobe. Not only can they be worn casually with your favourite plain T-shirts and a pair of white Converse as part of a laid-back weekend ensemble, but they also look great dressed up with a navy blazer and white Oxford shirt for a watertight smart-casual or business-casual look:
Image: Mango Man SS15
Recommended Option
Head to Mango for a killer slim-fit pair (£45.99) that would look on-point with some hefty turn-ups and a set of all-white sneakers or suede Derbies at your feet:
Maroon Chinos
Thanks to Look at my f*cking red trousers! and the social media campaign #redchinowanker, primary red chinos are now a non-option for the man who doesn’t want to risk being publicly ridiculed. But you can still absolutely get away with a pair in a slightly deeper, richer shade. Maroon chinos, for instance, are actually a more sophisticated alternative to red ones – and twice as versatile. Try using them in place of your indigo jeans with a grey, white or navy T-shirt on top for a bolder, more experimental take on casual dressing. Finish with minimal white trainers and a lightweight bomber:
Image: New Look SS15
Recommended Option
Try this stretch pair from New Look (£19.99) on for size:
White Chinos
Whether white can be considered a colour or not isn’t for us to debate. That said, it’s still a brighter, fresher alternative to the traditional navy and beige colourways that all men own. The all-white everything trend is set to be huge this season, and it’s a powerful go-to look for guys who’ve spent the past few months dressing head-to-toe in another neutral: black. For a foolproof outfit that will ensure you stay looking crisp and feeling cool this summer, try pairing yours with a simple white long-sleeved top and a pair of contrasting black leather trainers (worn sockless, of course):
Image: River Island Summer 2015
Recommended Option
We suggest heading to River Island for white chinos so cheap (£28) they might as well label them ‘disposable’:
Orange Chinos
Chinos in safer hues are all well and good, but this is summer – a time to move on to pastures new (and colourful). Hence, if you’re a sartorial risk-taker that likes to stand out from the crowd, why not opt for a pair of chinos in a striking shade of orange? Anchored with navy, grey or shades of white, orange chinos pack a powerful punch and, if you’re blessed with long, lean legs, can look extremely refined.
Image: Mango Man SS15
Recommended Option
We’re into this Mango pair (£29.99), which offer an unapologetically contemporary take on a classic trouser style:
