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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 - ... In addition to what others ... back pockets and riveted buttons. Chinos usually have side cut pockets, like a suit pant, and they have sewn buttons, and sometimes an inner waist button....
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Oliver Wicks
oliverwicks.com › article › what-are-slacks
What Are Slacks and When Should I Wear Them? A Guide for Men - Oliver Wicks
November 22, 2021 - Slacks vs. Chinos: Slacks/dress pants are ever so slightly more formal than chinos. Chinos are a great transition between informal and semi-formal menswear. They can be dressed up very smartly but can’t go everywhere dress slacks can.
Discussions

Chinos or Dress Pants
The pecking order is usually jeans < chinos < dress pants. Since you said you usually wear jeans and a shirt, it leads me to believe that that's the normal attire at the office; so I'd recommend chinos. Keep in mind there are casual chinos and dressy chinos as well. I'd probably go for the dressy chinos. Casual chinos would be the J.Crew broken in chinos: https://www.jcrew.com/mens_category/pants_1/chino/PRDOVR~19488/19488.jsp While dressy chinos would be the J.Crew essential chinos: https://www.jcrew.com/mens_category/pants_1/chino/PRDOVR~24976/24976.jsp Not sure what your price range is but if I were to recommend some dressy chinos, they'd probably be Epaulet: http://epauletnewyork.com/collections/bottoms/Rivet-Chinos More on reddit.com
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January 15, 2016
ELI5: Differences between dress pants, trousers, slacks and chinos?
slacks = trousers = dress pants (not fully though) all generally have a crease with them and are generally made of wool (cotton/linen/etc exist) imo, dress pants are sold seperately, whereas trousers are a part of a suit. chinos are pants that are cotton, twill weave More on reddit.com
🌐 r/malefashionadvice
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November 27, 2017
Chinos vs Trousers vs Jeans
I've heard that chinos are better suited for the summer, while trousers are more appropriate for the winter Not necessarily true, relaxed linen trousers will be far better suited for summer than a mid-weight cotton chino. Likewise, some of my warmest pants are some Natolino cotton chinos. As for formality, they both can be a wide range. If you get double-stitched rugged chinos, they will be far more casual than a creased version. Similarly, orphaned suit pants would have a different vibe from a casual easy-waisted wool trouser. Honestly, my advice would be to start with a single chino in navy, tan, olive, or brown. Pair that with a single pair of trousers. Charcoal will be the most versatile, but this also depends on your current wardrobe. Fit depends on your own taste, but a relaxed fit is currently popular, as are pleats. I'd go with dissimilar fits so you can experiment as you expand your wardrobe. I do not suggest filling out your whole wardrobe in one go, it's a great way to be stuck with one type of clothing from one phase of your life. Do it slowly over time and find which pieces, colors, fits, fabrics, and silhouettes you prefer. More on reddit.com
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September 1, 2023
Trousers vs Chinos?
I’m a trousers guy vast majority of the time, they just look and feel great. MJ Bale always worth a look, Peter Jackson too. I have some nice ones from Geoffrey Beene too. Shop around at any suit warehouse or outlet too, might find a hidden gem More on reddit.com
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November 20, 2023
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Black Lapel
blacklapel.com › blogs › the-compass › chinos-vs-dress-pants
Chinos vs Dress Pants: What's The Difference – Black Lapel
November 13, 2023 - For example, if you’re looking to wear a polo shirt – slacks are not a great choice, there will be incongruence in the formality of your top and bottom. Instead, chinos would be the right choice. On the other hand, if you’re planning on wearing a button-up shirt coupled with an overcoat, chinos will look a bit funny underneath.
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Hockerty
hockerty.com › en-us › blog › slacks-vs-dress-pants
Slacks vs Dress Pants - Is it the same? - Hockerty
November 4, 2024 - You can call them the way you want: dress slacks, slacks pants or simply slacks. They all mean the same. Combinations like "formal slacks" reinforce the concept of the garment. No.
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Black Lapel
blacklapel.com › blogs › the-compass › slacks-vs-dress-pants
Slacks vs Dress Pants vs Trousers: What's the Difference? – Black Lapel
September 24, 2024 - Cut to ye iPhone times and slacks generally refer to pants that are neither jeans nor chinos, but rather a pant made of a smooth, wool knit or a blended fabric that one would wear to look more dressed up than casual.
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Mizzen+Main
mizzenandmain.com › blog › what-s-the-difference-between-chinos-and-dress-pants
From the desk of... What’s the Difference Between Chinos and Dress Pants? | Mizzen+Main
July 8, 2025 - Chinos: Made from cotton twill or modern performance blends for stretch, breathability, and comfort. Minimal lining and a relaxed waistband make them versatile for casual wear. Dress Pants: Made from wool or wool blends with fine fibers, interior lining, front pleats, and tailored waistband structures designed for formal settings. Structured tailoring ensures slacks maintain a polished look.
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Tapered Menswear
taperedmenswear.com › blogs › tapered-blog › chinos-vs-dress-pants
Chinos vs Dress Pants & Trousers - What's the Difference? | Tapered – Tapered Menswear
October 15, 2025 - Chinos, made from cotton or a cotton blend, are lighter and more casual, offering a slim, straight fit without a crease. While slacks are ideal for traditional business environments, chinos offer versatility, bridging the gap between casual ...
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Quora
quora.com › Can-you-explain-the-differences-between-mens-dress-pants-slacks-chinos-jeans-and-dress-trousers
Can you explain the differences between men's dress pants, slacks, chinos, jeans, and dress trousers? - Quora
Answer (1 of 3): In America I believe trousers are referred to as pants. In Europe, pants are underwear bottoms. Dress trousers are formal, tailored in a luxury fabric, often with a silk covered seam and with a sharp crease. Slacks are loose trousers with a slack, non tailored, cut - often made...
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SANVT
sanvt.com › blogs › journal › chinos-vs-formal-trousers
Chinos vs. trousers & formal pants | Differences in style, fit & fabric
April 25, 2022 - Chinos also come in a variety of timeless colours, such as beige, black, grey and navy. When it comes to its design, we always lean heavily towards a minimalist aesthetic that can be dressed up or down in an elegant or sporty way. In short, chinos are the ideal bridge between classic formal trousers and informal cloth pants or jeans.
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Paulbrownengland
paulbrownengland.com › blog › what-are-slacks
What Are Slacks | Pants, Chinos & Slacks
Slacks, on the other hand, specifically ... referring to a pair of trousers that go beyond the casual realm. Slacks are the middle ground between the more formal dress pants and the laid-back vibe of casual chinos....
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Luxire
luxire.com › blogs › luxire-collection › chinos-vs-khakis-know-the-differences-and-similarities
Chinos vs. Khakis. Know the Differences and Similarities – Luxire Custom Clothing
April 24, 2024 - Wear chinos if you're heading to a slightly more formal setting where jeans might be too casual but dress pants are unnecessary. Chinos strike the perfect balance between slacks and khakis, making them ideal for business casual or semi-formal ...
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Mott & Bow
mottandbow.com › blogs › mens-style › chinos-vs-tech-pants-vs-jeans-how-to-choose-the-perfect-pair
Chinos vs. Tech Pants vs. Jeans: How to Choose the Perfect Pair
February 13, 2025 - Whether you're deciding between chinos vs. jeans for a casual outing or looking for the practicality of tech pants for work or travel, Mott & Bow ensures you never have to compromise on style or comfort. This blog post will explain the types of pants you can choose, how to style chinos, tech pants, and jeans, and provide tips on when to wear chinos vs.
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SuitShop
suitshop.com › blogs › news › slacks-vs-dress-pants
Slacks vs. Dress Pants: What’s the Difference? | SuitShop
April 23, 2024 - Slacks and chinos are both versatile trouser options, but they have distinct differences. Chinos offer a more casual aesthetic than slacks and are characterized by a softer fabric, typically cotton twill, and a more relaxed fit.
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President Tailors
president-tailors.com › slacks-vs-dress-pants-guide
Slacks vs Dress Pants – Are They Really the Same?
July 22, 2025 - You can call them whatever suits your style — dress slacks, slacks pants, or just slacks. They all refer to the same classic garment. Even phrases like “formal slacks” simply emphasize their dressy nature, not a different type of pants. No, chinos aren’t considered slacks.
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StudioSuits
studiosuits.com › blogs › articles › slacks-vs-dress-pants-whats-the-difference
Slacks vs Dress Pants: What's the Difference? – StudioSuits
May 3, 2021 - They feature a dressier appearance than their slack counterparts. You'll have more options from which to choose with dress pants. As previously mentioned, dress pants encompass a wide range of formal and semi-formal men's trousers. Maybe you prefer chinos, or perhaps you enjoy suit trousers.
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Ask Andy About Clothes
askandyaboutclothes.com › home › forums › ask andy's style discussion › timeless style
Chinos or wool trousers? And when? | Men's Clothing Forums
May 7, 2017 - My personal preference would be wool slacks. They hold up better through the day without looking rumpled and quite low maintenance actually. There is absolutely nothing "too formal" about wool slacks. They can be worn casually in many settings.
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UnderFit
underfit.com › blog › slacks-vs-dress-pants
Slacks vs. Dress Pants: Is There A Difference?
December 1, 2024 - They are made of a cotton-twill material, making them soft on the skin. Chinos are sometimes more recognizable than slacks due to their decorative stitching or extra features, such as patch pockets.
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Nimble Made
nimble-made.com › blogs › news › what-are-slacks
What are Slacks & How They Differ From Dress Pants - Nimble Made
April 12, 2023 - Chinos are made from a cotton twill fabric that is typically lighter weight and more casual than slacks. They may have a flat front or pleats and are often worn in more casual settings.
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Quora
quora.com › What-are-the-differences-between-chinos-and-trousers
What are the differences between chinos and trousers? - Quora
Answer (1 of 18): Chinos are a category of trousers or pants made from the chino fabric, which is a hardwearing cotton (or blend) twill originally produced in China. They first became popular with the British and American armies, and then they have turned into a ubiquitous civilian wardrobe stapl...
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ShirtsMockup
shirtsmockup.com › home › fashion › chinos vs dress pants
Chinos vs Dress Pants: What's the Difference?
August 17, 2024 - Chinos are known for their slim fit and straight legs, making them more relaxed than formal trousers. Dress pants, dress slacks, or dress men's trousers are formal trousers typically made from wool or synthetic blends.