Depressingly, the office is calling once again but work have thankfully stopped the full suit remit and changed it to “business casual”.
Without getting into a debate on what that term means (it’s been accepted here that it means chinos (definitely not jeans), shirt and jacket/knitwear), why dress codes are regressive and pointless (yes, I’ve worked in a hoodie and joggers for the last 2 years) and why we’re going back to the office (2 days per week), it means I need to go shopping.
So, what good quality chinos that’ll fit a tall, skinny man? My previous forays into this area took me to H&M (didn’t last, not long enough) and Gap (not bad, but do they even exist any more?).
Help.
M&S ultimate seem to be best fit for me, comfiest and outlast others I've bought from Next, TM Lewin etc.
Plus, thier long leg is actually long.
Gap, slim fit, tall fitting is 36 inside leg
I've been happy with some FatFace ones
Americanos, blue jeans and chinos, taxis and Oreos, Americano-oh-oh-ohs..
I use lands end for work. Primarily because it looked like most people were wearing polyester which looked dreadful so I wanted something cotton.
The other big plus for me is that they're non-iron. Hang them by the cuffs as soon as the washing machine stops and they dry relatively crease free and what's left drops out with a little body head in them.
Avoid the black ones though. Could seems to fade quite fast.
What @chriscubed said. My one pair of office chinos are from Gap. They are about the only place that does them with a leg long enough for my gangley frame.
The alternative would be to go "Tacticool" and buy 5.11. It might be enough for your co-workers to suggest you stay at home.
H&M "slim" fit stretchy ones are great for me. They are actually quite nice rather than making you look like an American "engineer" type, you know, with the polo shirt tucked in and multi-tool clipped to the belt... I see the OP has tried some, I found that the soft cotton ones aren't super durable but the stretch one are a tough cordura style fabric and much more durable.
I bought them for work but I wear them normally as well.
My new favourites are the stretchy chinos from Next. I'm wearing them now and they look like trousers but feel like pyjamas. £25 a pair so after I'd test driven a couple I stocked up in case they disappear.
Blue shirt with a white t shirt underneath. The worse fitting, the better.
Uniqlo were my chino of choice, fortunately my work area is back to casual dress so I don’t have to dress up any more.
Lanky here too, another vote for M&S Ultimate
When I was in "business casual = chino" land, and I too am long of leg, M&S were my got-to, too.
Uniqlo or Gap for me.
These just came up when I was searching for some Kuhl trousers - they look quite decent
But, if you can get away with them, Kuhl Free Rydr are my new favourite trousers. You'd get use out of them away from the office too
I’ve found the Charles Tyrwhitt 5 pocket trousers very good. Like jeans but made out of chino material. I hate suits.
GAP for me. Tried loads of other brands and GAP fit the best/good length.
You may differ. I'm 34-34 with masterful calf's which seem to cause an issue in some chinos.
I've got both Gap and M&S ultimate.
Gap is a bit easier to find the right size and length, but the M&S ones are nice too.
M&S for me.
Used to be next, but they're super inconsistent. One pair might fit ok, but the next pair in the same size and style will be an inch longer in the leg and need the next hole along on my belt!
Next Skinny Fit for me (other fits also available). Choice of lengths, loads of colours, around £25 a pop, last ages. Been my office-wear choice for a few years now.
I've also just bought some Levi's chinos for casual wear (so spent a bit more), very pleased so far. Levis
Push the boundaries and wear chino style shorts, after all I bet female staff are allowed to wear skirts. Shorts are much more comfortable
Americanos, blue jeans and chinos, taxis and Oreos, Americano-oh-oh-ohs..
TUNE !
I have found the Joules ones are the best for fit and longevity. Even better if you can find them for £35 a pair in one of their frequent sales.
Joules? In red sir? Suits you!
Now I'm retired it's not my problem any more, but I worked in a 'business casual' environment for over 20 years. I really came on the thread to warn you not to be tempted by Spoke - their marketing is great, the packaging is great, the fit is great, they look great when new, but for that price they really don't last very long. I found Gap to be about the best, and cheap enough not to worry if they needed replacing.
willard
Joules? In red sir? Suits you!
Nope, beige and blue. It may be a 'wannabe country squires' shop but it's not like they have 'bow down to me, serf' printed all over them. Just decent quality plain chinos. Before that it was Gap, but now all of their shops have closed I'm wary of buying anything I can't try on first, as their fit tended to vary from season to season.
Push the boundaries and wear chino style shorts
If I only had slightly more courage I'd go in a dress and dare my management to say something.
To be fair, I'm 100% sure they wouldn't - but going to customers might be more problematic since we are trying to flog them stuff even if they have conservative attitudes.
John Lewis own branded chinos are good quality and reasonably priced.
Personally I think we should be trying to get away from buying cheap clothes to don't last,could you get away with these ?
https://hebtro.co/product/works-tan-canvas/
Spoke jeans.
Vans
I just wear dickies.
872 are the slimmer fit ones.
873 are slim/straight
874 are the looser cut ones that are less work friendly but fine for casual friday.
Tesco and Matalan.
And a needle and thread.
Then spend the savings on something fun
I’ve always had good luck with Uniqlo.
Superdry often have good sales. Obviously avoid the stuff plastered with logos, but the quality is good.
I’ve had good chinos from dockers. They do a range of casual to smarter and have lots of fits and colours. Pretty hardy as well. They often have sales and are made by Levi’s I think so if Levi’s sizes fit you dockers will. They seem a good quality vs price and good choice sweet spot.
H&M do slimfit jeans that are black and grey but not denim, they are a plain cotton rather than chino so you can wear them at work and they are formal enough without being formal trousers - but you don't look like a consultant from Deloitte 😉
Finisterre Coverack chinos. If I tell enough people how great they were maybe they'll bring them back...
In the highly unlikely event that anyone has any interest in an outcome to this, the M&S ultimate in slim fit do the job and are not that expensive.
The fact that I am now buying M&S Chino's is not helping my fear that I'm descending into middle age...
Faced with his last week I ended up with selected homme slim fit.
Took a punt mainly as I couldn't be ****ed with the trek into Slater's as good as their service is.
I too have found the cheap Tesco/Matalan route to be a bit bikes boots. They never lasted any time....and looked pretty terrible after a couple of washes.
Next Slim fit chino’s - cheap and last reasonably well plus good choice of colours - blue & grey were my choice when I worked in the office but luckily no going back to the office environment for me
"Bikes boots" in my post above should be vimes boots obviously 🙂
The fact that I am now buying M&S Chino’s is not helping my fear that I’m descending into middle age…
Sorry to break this to you mate, you're there already.
Bit late now, but I have some really nice Carhartt chinos in dark blue, which retained a semblance of cool when I was still in the office.
I got several pairs of Ben Sherman chinos for a tenner a pop at their outlet store, they’re good too, bit of stretch to accentuate my physique (skinny short arse!)
There is a site ( Good On You ) which helps you make a better choice in terms of ethics(?) and the environment.
Obviously second hand is always the first port of call, but if that's not what you're after, using the site above is the next best choice, I think.
Next straight fit chino’s – cheap and last
a small set of months in my experience. I do have thighs that 'fill' out the leg in my waist size (and the waist size up) though, I'd say cyclist, but really I just have massive legs.
Next straight fit chino’s – cheap and last
a small set of months in my experience.
My experience to, just got some M&S one but don't seem much better.
