Are Chinos Business Casual | Chinos, Smart Casual
Are Chinos Business Casual ?
Our new blog is dedicated to answering the question we often get from customers; are chinos ok for business casual wear?
The answer is yes, and chinos are very commonly worn as business casual attire, but it does depend on the styling of the chinos. Most offices have adopted a business casual dress code, retreating from a more formal age but you need to remember that what is currently defined as chinos or chino pants in this day and age covers a wide range of designs and styles.
Also jeans are usually considered unacceptable for many offices. Our chino collection certainly fits the business casual definition perfectly and we will explain why.
Importance of traditional styling
In order for chinos to qualify for business attire, formal or casual they need a close resemblance to trousers rather than
cargo pants for example. This is a achieved through a number of distinctive features including:
Front slanted pockets
Zip Front fly (a buttoned fly is reserved for jeans or very casual pants for the weekend
Rear welt pockets with or without pocket flaps
Belt loops on the waistband as opposed to side adjusters which are reserved for more formal trousers and suits
The waistband is finished with either a metal fastening or traditional button with a French bearer.
Our Chinos
Everyone Deserves a Pair
"Understated elegance is what I've been looking for, and that's exactly what you get with a pair of WISC Chinos! Treat yourself to a wardrobe staple, these can be worn again and again, strong stitching and the high quality material repays dividends. Very satisfied!!"
- Gavin M
Great Chinos
"As usual the clothing from this company is quality through and through. They were happy to play with the sizes to get the fit I wanted and the result is excellent. They wash and iron well and continue to look smart. WISC is my 'go to place' for my clothes."
- Rick P
All our men’s chinos included the important features above with us opting for a real buffalo horn button to fasten the waistband. For those unfamiliar with the term French bearer – this simply refers to an additional button on the inside of the waistband which helps keep it secure and should always be present on a premium pair of chinos or trousers.
We use double welt rear pockets and have opted for pocket flaps that can be fastened by button. The inclusion of pocket flaps is more than just a styling choice for us. It also serves an important purpose in that it supports the pocket from sagging over time which never looks nice. Further if you do use the back pockets to store anything, you can have more confidence they will not accidently fall out.
For those who prefer no pocket flap – remember the flap can always be tucked into the pocket itself. You have two design options. We certainly would recommend having the rear pockets fastened during washing and drying.
Quality materials
In order for your chinos to be business casual they need to be made from a quality material. This is of utmost importance. You need a cloth that oozes quality and sophistication, but can also ensure you are comfortable while wearing them.
With this in mind we have opted for a long staple cotton fabric from Yorkshire mill Brisbane Moss. The fabric is a twill made of 97% cotton with 3% elastane. Brisbane Moss are recognised worldwide for their stunning jacket and trouser cloths which also include moleskin and corduroy. The 3% elastane may seem small, but rest assured it adds an extra level of stretch in just the right places that make our chinos exceptionally comfortable to wear. The stretch is particularly important for those men who prefer a slim leg pair of chinos. We offer the chinos in two different weights: 250 gsm and 215 gsm. The heavier weight is perfect for all year round and is available in our navy, black, white, lovat, grey and brown chinos. The lighter weight is perfect for hot summer days or warmer climates. We offer this lighter weight option in red, yellow and tobacco.
In addition to a first class fabric, no expense is spared in selecting materials to make up the rest of the trousers. This includes real polished buffalo horn buttons, a YKK zip and the finest shirting fabrics for the interior pocket linings.
We strongly recommend you avoid buying any chinos that are polyester or a polyester cotton blend. Your skin will not perspire as well so you can end up feeling clammy underneath which is something you need while conducting business.
Made in England
If you want to look professional in any business environment it is really important to wear clothing that is finished and made well. This is why all our clothing, including the men’s chinos is hand cut and made to order at our Suffolk factory. We have been making luxury ladies and men’s clothing for over a decade and incorporate the best of British tailoring into every item of clothing we manufacture. Further we also have a robust production process that includes a number of additional steps that ensure that seams will not fail. This is particularly important for the inside seam which is under huge amount of strain every time the chinos are worn. This seam is stitched three times to ensure it will never fail.
Further we use only small single needle stitching for all the seams to create for a first class finish.
Reviews
Chinos Fit
Last but not least we come to fit which is really important and something many men struggle with. Firstly it is really important that you measure yourself or a pair of trousers you currently own before buying chinos or trousers online. This is because many brands are now actively involved in vanity sizing where the actual waist size can be up to two inches bigger than the suggested size label. Don’t get caught out!
When it comes to selling chinos online we take a different approach to other companies as we have the built in flexibility that we have our own factory and production line and make clothing to order rather than carrying stock. This also has a significant environmental benefit as we don't end up with loads of unsold stock. As a result we offer a ‘ create your own trousers’ service which is an online equivalent to made to measure but at a far more competitive price point. Also it takes out the hassle of having to find a local tailor and travel for an appointment. As long as you have accurate measurements you cannot go wrong. We offer a fantastic selection of waist and inside leg options including odd sizes. Further we have three distinct builds; slim leg, medium (tapered) leg and classic leg. In total we offer over 200 unique combinations per colour. This option is available for our chinos, jeans and corduroy and moleskin trousers.
Five Business Casual Styles for men
We finish this latest blog by sharing five stylish business casual options for you to consider. They include other items of clothing from our men’s collection including jackets, trench coats and tailored shirts.
Navy Chinos and linen shirt for a classic casual style
Our French Navy Chinos are a wardrobe staple and are by the best navy options on the market. Avoid darker shades of navy as they can look more black and you don’t get the same vibrancy as you do with French navy. We have paired them with our striped linen shirt finished with brown corozo buttons. This is a classic business casual outfit. Navy is incredibly versatile and can be used to create a number of casual business outfits.
If you need to layer up then add our grey Harrington jacket.
Beige Chinos, versatile for casual dress
Like navy, all men should have a tan colour pair of chinos in their wardrobe. We offer both beige and stone colour options for men. We have paired our stone chinos with our navy linen shirt and our beige chinos with a blue button down collar oxford shirt but the truth is beige chinos can be styled with almost anything to give a smart appearance
Grey Chinos, ideal with a Polo Shirt
A great alternative to tan or navy, grey chinos are equally versatile and can easily be dressed up or down. Try pairing them with our royal blue corduroy shirt or light blue polo shirt.
Tobacco Chinos, or Slacks as they are sometimes called.
Our tobacco chinos are a good colour choice and something different to the usual colours. We have paired them with our blue Lynford Oxford shirt finished with Liberty print.
Red Chinos, a bolder choice for the business professional
For those seeking a bolder option, try our lighter weight red chinos for men with our stylish white Bucklesham shirt finished with grey corozo buttons and buttonholes along with a bold Liberty London paisley print for the interior collar and cuffs.
Conclusion
If you choose the right chino brand then chinos are without doubt perfect for business casual attire. Our chinos include all the key features for business casual along with first class materials and a made to measure service which will ensure the perfect fit every time. To avoid disappointment, remember to always measure yourself before buying.
Other items for business casual men
We also offer men’s field jackets and trench coats that are perfect for business casual attire as shown below.
Sustainability and Size
I cannot leave this blog without mentioning sustainability. It means many different things to many different people. It is well known that the fast fashion industry does enormous harm to the environment, particularly oil based fabrics and single use garments. You should consider this fact every time you shop for clothing. Here at WISC we make classic garments that are built to last from natural fabrics to help minimise our impact. They are designed to be worn again and again without losing their shape or appearance. Multiple use also means that they become value for money. We also make most of our products to order so that unwanted stock is never a feature. Size is also a factor in sustainability. If clothes fit well they will be used a lot and the issue of returns for ill fitting garments becomes redundant. We stress this on our site and in addition to an extensive detailed size guide, we offer a special ‘design your own trouser’ section for this very reason. If you generally purchase off the peg chinos for example and try to make them fit, why not visit our website with your measurements and we will make you a pair. Going forward we continue to look at ways of improving our sustainability credentials further. You should also always consider recycling or donating any clothes you really don't want or need.
We Make a Wide range of Clothes, not Just Chinos
Here at WISC we make a selection of products for both men and women including trench coats, shirts, jackets and boxer shorts. All are made from the best material and manufactured to the same exacting standards. Our collections are on sale to view and buy online so why not pop onto our site and put something in your basket. You will be supporting British manufacture and of course they make great gifts tooFrequently asked Questions
Is all casual clothing considered business casual
No, although difficult to be precise some clothing such as printed t shirts or ripped jeans would not be considered as business casual
Are Chinos Appropriate for office?
Many modern offices now accept chinos in the working environment, especially more tailored quality examples. What may have once been considered unacceptable to wear is now becoming the normal as most offices have adopted a business casual wear policy.
Can you wear black chinos to work?
Whilst chinos are considered casual, black chinos have a more formal appearance and will often be acceptable in the office, especially as modern office dress codes allow a more relaxed and casual dress code.
Is chinos formal or casual?
Chinos would generally be considered as casual but more tailored quality chinos do find their way into formal settings without looking out of place. This makes them a very versatile trouser.
Are all chinos considered casual?
Most chinos on the market would be considered as casual but the more tailored smart casual versions are more formal and considered suitable in more serious working environments
Do you make all of your clothing in the UK?
Yes we design, cut and make all of our clothing, including tops and trousers at our own premises in Suffolk, UK
Do you Ship Worldwide?
Yes, we ship to 40 countries including the USA at favourable shipping rates. UK delivery is free
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