Denim, like jersey and wool, is one of those staple fabrics of fashion. As trendy as, say, Dolce & Gabbana fashion shows would try and make them, however, there are just those times when jeans aren’t the best answer. Summer is one of those times when denim is just too scratchy and too warm to be worn in the heat. When summer comes, you’ve got to have other options to complete your sunny day outfits.

Chinos
Khaki pants (‘khaki’ and ‘chino’ are typically interchangeable in fashion speak) have a long, storied history in men’s fashion. Originally standard army issue pants in World War II, civilians grew to like the lightweight but hardy fabric for casual wear as well.

Later on, chinos became a favorite of the preppy crowd, quickly growing into a staple at prep and Ivy League schools. The association with pastel polo shirts, v-neck knitwear and white tennis shoes is still very strong today. More recently, brands like Dockers and Gap have given the chino a new and contemporary twist. That has led to the resurgence of the style and its current popularity at retail outlets.

In warmer weather, chinos are about the coolest and most versatile replacements for jeans that you could find. Are you going out for a walk to enjoy the nice weather? Throw on a plain white tee and flip-flops. Is your lunch date waiting at that fancy new bistro? Pastel shirts with dark neckties bring the formal factor to your outfit, even without a suit.

Make no mistake, though: chinos are still on the relatively casual end of the scale. You can wear them to the office but not to a boardroom presentation or a black tie affair. Aside from that, you’re free to dress it up or down as you please.
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