I call all colored Khakis, Khakis, but chino wasn't a foreign word for me, I think both are slang derivatives for any generic twill pants, If I had to guess Chino probably originated outside of NE. Answer from Sharkhottub on reddit.com
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/malefashionadvice › khaki vs. chino
r/malefashionadvice on Reddit: Khaki vs. Chino
January 21, 2014 -

I read that the difference between Khaki pants and Chinos is that khakis has a seam on the side whereas chinos do not, thus making the chinos slightly more formal.

-Is that true? And are there any other differences?

-Can you really tell the difference when someone is wearing kahkis pants and chinos?

Top answer
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Some sources will make a distinction between those two terms. Many will use them interchangeably. You can't assume that the word choice means something one way or the other unless you know the person writing it makes that distinction.

It's the same as the sportcoat/blazer issue. Sometimes people use "sportcoat" more often for a hunting-inspired jacket, especially if it's tweed. A "blazer" is more likely to be nautical-inspired and might have brass buttons. But just because a jacket is described by one term rather than the other, that doesn't necessarily tell you anything.

There's also the famous shoe terminology issue. Sometimes an "oxford" is a shoe with closed lacing, while a "derby" or "blucher" is one with open lacing. Other times, an "oxford" is any lace-up dress shoe, and only the name "balmoral" specifies closed lacing. And then, sometimes "derby" and "blucher" are used as synonyms, but occasionally they refer to different styles.

These are all just terminology differences. There's no sense getting worked up over them.

This is the first time I've heard of a khaki/chino distinction, so I'd normally assume the words are being used as synonyms unless I know the writer means to draw a distinction. However, it is good to keep in mind that, whatever you call them, sometimes they are more or less formal due to various details like seams, the presence of a crease in front, how thick or rough the fabric is, etc.

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i'm pretty sure khaki is a color and chinos are just cotton pants

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realmenrealstyle.com
realmenrealstyle.com › home › difference between khakis and chinos – a man’s guide
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realmenrealstyle.com
realmenrealstyle.com › home › difference between khakis and chinos – a man’s guide
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/preppy › khakis or chinos?
r/preppy on Reddit: Khakis or chinos?
December 31, 2023 -

In my prep upbringing (Greenwich/Nantucket/ New England Boarding school) chinos was never a word that we used. Pants unless they were jeans or gray flannels were called khakis for the most part regardless of color. Of course khaki is a color too but we would call a pant of another color “khakis” too. Am I wrong? Do you do the same? Discuss.

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Reddit
reddit.com › r/malefashionadvice › what exactly is the difference between khaki’s and chino’s?
r/malefashionadvice on Reddit: What exactly is the difference between Khaki’s and Chino’s?
December 14, 2014 - The distinction is about the fabric in some ways. Really, the distinction is that khaki is a color; but the term chino, while now broadly used as a word for "non-jean, non-dress pant," is actually a specific type of cotton twill fabric.
Find elsewhere
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/malefashionadvice › what is the difference between khakis and chinos?
What is the difference between khakis and chinos? : r/malefashionadvice
December 30, 2013 - All of this to say, chinos are a twill pant and khakis refers to a khakis colored chino pant.
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Real Men Real Style
realmenrealstyle.com › home › difference between khakis and chinos – a man’s guide
Difference Between Khakis and Chinos - A Man’s Guide
September 8, 2025 - Khakis are thick, straight-legged, and typically pleated (although plain fronts are available from most brands these days). They have cuffs at the bottom hems. Chinos are lightweight, tapered so that they narrow as they go lower on the leg, ...
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Ask Andy About Clothes
askandyaboutclothes.com › home › forums › ask andy's style discussion › trad style
Still Don't Know Difference Between Chinos and Khakis | Men's Clothing Forums
I know about the different history behind each, but what is the difference today? Are chinos cut slimmer? Danka! ... I believe khakis are tan and cotton, while chinos are cotton pants of any color. I guess technically khakis are chinos, just more common than other colored cotton pants.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/malefashionadvice › eli5: differences between dress pants, trousers, slacks and chinos?
r/malefashionadvice on Reddit: ELI5: Differences between dress pants, trousers, slacks and chinos?
November 27, 2017 - Chinos/khakis will usually have slash front pockets, almost always have two back pockets, often have a flap pocket, or a pocket with a button. Chinos very rarely have a cuff and pleats are less common.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/malefashionadvice › khakis vs jeans
r/malefashionadvice on Reddit: Khakis vs Jeans
April 30, 2010 -

So I have enough money (ca 150 USD) to buy myself a new pair of jeans or khakis. I already have three pairs of jeans, however only 1 is useful: I have learned, to my horror, that boot-cut jeans aren't that great in the summer :D

I never wore khakis. Should I buy a pair? Over here, you can get Dockers for about 125 USD. My other options would be H&M or Zara.

What do you guys wear your chinos with? Should I buy another pair of jeans or rather go for khakis?

Thanks!

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Diffen
diffen.com › fashion & beauty
Chinos vs Khakis - Difference and Comparison | Diffen
Chinos are lighter weight than khakis. They are made of either 100 percent cotton or cotton blended with a stretchy synthetic fiber. The weave is loose. Stitching is usually concealed, just like in dress pants.
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Pant Project
pantproject.com › translation missing: en.general.breadcrumb.home › pantology › pantology
Khakis vs Chinos: What's the Difference and How to Choose
March 14, 2024 - Yet, the terms "khakis" and "chinos" are often used interchangeably, leaving many in a state of bewilderment. Understanding the nuances between these two wardrobe essentials is paramount for creating effortlessly stylish outfits. In this comprehensive guide, we aim to demystify the difference between chinos vs khakis and offer expert advice on wearing them with panache.
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Styleforum
styleforum.net › home › forums › men's style › classic menswear
What's the difference between Khakis and Chinos? | Styleforum
March 11, 2014 - Khaki is a color. "Khakis" are pants that have this color. Chino is a kind of fabric. "Chinos" are pants made from this fabric. But I think that this distinction is unknown to so many people that the incorrect usage is getting as common as the correct usage.
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Ask Andy About Clothes
askandyaboutclothes.com › home › forums › ask andy's style discussion › timeless style
Dockers khakis vs chinos | Men's Clothing Forums
In general, chinos are made of lighter-weight fabric than khakis. And while it's true that "khaki" is a tan/beige/dusty-ish color, "khakis" is sometimes loosely used in reference to relatively sturdy, casual cotton trousers (but not jeans) ...