There was a time, not too way back, when khaki pants for males have been among the many most maligned objects in trend. Again within the early ’90s, they have been the double-pleated uniform of the suburban workplace employee (a.okay.a. your dad), or the dreaded, ill-fitting trousers your people pressured you to put on to household reunions.
However you’ll be able to’t preserve pant down. In 2024, khakis aren’t only a born-again menswear favourite—they’re unexpectedly viral, surprisingly flex-worthy, and, by virtually any metric, simply plain cool. Even your pops’ double-pleats are again with a vengeance.
Khakis date again to 1846, when a British officer in India swapped his troops’ hot-and-heavy pink felt unis for light-weight cotton pants like these worn by native privates. (The pants’ yellowish coloration, a results of mulberry juice dye, was dubbed khaki, a riff on the Hindustan phrase for mud.) It didn’t take lengthy for them to change into standard-issue for British troops throughout the colonies.
American troopers started sporting khakis within the Philippines in the course of the Spanish American Warfare (the time period “chino” comes from the Spanish for “China pants,” since they have been imported from China). However it was throughout and after WWII, when the US Military launched greater rises and looser thighs, that khakis’ reputation unfold past the army—and around the globe. Khakis haven’t modified a lot since then, and the very best of them at present nonetheless take their affect from that telltale mid-century silhouette.
And that’s precisely what you have to be searching for in a pair (with a couple of minor exceptions). Nothing revolutionary; little fuss, few frills. Khakis are wardrobe workhouses—versatile, purposeful, comfy—as applicable within the workplace as they’re on the dive bar across the nook. Wherever you put on them, although, put on them arduous—that’s what they’re meant for. Simply ask your outdated man.
The Finest Khaki Pants for Males, In response to GQ
Finest Khaki Pants of the Second: J.Crew Large-Match Chinos
When J.Crew dropped the Large-Match Chino in 2020, it extra than simply set the web aflame: It introduced loud and clear that the period of slim-fit-everything was over, and J.Crew was again. A part of the primary assortment designed by Brendon Babenzien, the co-founder of Noah and ex-Supreme honcho, the Large Suits provided a wonderful throwback to the model’s ’90s-era heyday. As you’d count on, they’re huge—like, seriously-not-messing-around huge. However they’re additionally much more approachable than they appear, which helps clarify how they grew to become the brand new J.Crew’s first runway hit—and why they deserve their props 4 years later, now that everybody else is lastly catching up.
Finest Period-Genuine Khaki Pants: Hole 90s Free Khakis
For anybody who got here of age within the ‘90s—and forum-roving menswear nerds who want they did—Hole’s pedigree within the khakis area wants little introduction. It was initially of that decade that the all-American retail big debuted its now-legendary “Who Wore Khakis” marketing campaign, that includes proto-mood board photographs of icons like Warhol, Picasso, and Hemingway sporting khakis not in contrast to those the model itself bought. In 2024, Hole is having fun with a revival of kinds by harnessing the power of that precise period, as evidenced by its aptly-named ’90s Free khakis. The mid-rise is loyal to the last decade that impressed it, roomy within the waist by the thigh, and reduce with straight legs and an extended inseam so that they puddle on the ankle. At $70 full worth (and lots much less on sale), they’re simply concerning the least expensive time machine cash should purchase.
Finest Good, Regular Khaki Pants: Buck Mason Service Twill Officer Pants
The braintrust behind Buck Mason are on an absolute tear proper now, thanks, partly, to their eager appreciation of menswear historical past, which informs their riffs on basic Americana. So it’s hardly stunning that the model’s officer pants are a salute to classic US army kinds, up to date for the right here and now. The match is good and regular the entire means by: high-ish-rise and straight within the leg, with loads of room to maneuver. However they’re additionally enzyme-washed to offer them a classic feel and appear, with genuine thrives like welted coin pockets, corozo buttons, and canvas inside detailing. After we say “good and regular”, we imply it as a praise of the best diploma—and also you don’t need to be both to put on the hell out of those.
Finest Scandalously Reasonably priced Khaki Pants: Dockers Pleated Khaki Pants
So that you landed right here searching for the very best khakis, and also you’ve received, what, like, $50 to spend on ‘em? Don’t panic—and undoubtedly don’t low cost Dockers. Certain, the model may not be the buzziest title within the area, however you higher consider it’s nonetheless one of many largest, particularly for style-minded fellas keen to maximise their {dollars}. For many years, Dockers has been the title in on a regular basis khakis, and its most basic silhouette—simple match, straight leg, pure waist, little little bit of stretch—has been the pleated titan of your dad’s closet for about as lengthy. You stated you had fifty bucks to spend, proper? These price a meager $35, and are sometimes on sale for lots much less. Dimension up for a extra modern look, and order two whilst you’re at it—your outdated man will likely be borrowing them.
Finest Wealthy-Man Khaki Pants: The Row Rosco Cotton-Mix Twill Trousers
When the Olsen twins launched The Row in 2006 with the intention of designing the world’s finest T-shirt, they in all probability had little inkling they’d in the future broaden into the world of pitch-perfect khakis, too. In 2024, although, that’s precisely what they’ve accomplished. You probably have cash to burn however hate spending it on flashy logos or splashy thrives, the model’s pared-down tackle the standard khaki is a godsend. Don’t mistake its austerity for a scarcity of persona, although. The Rosco is evenly structured with a relaxed, flowing match, however the longer inseam permits for a full break on the ankle, an intentional design-forward contact nobody however you’ll admire if you’re traipsing from the tarmac of your Gulfstream to the padded inside of your Rolls.
Finest Dad-Permitted Khaki Pants: Invoice’s Khakis M1P Pleated Khakis
In case your dad enjoys his chinos like his vehicles—made in the usA—he in all probability owns a pair (or 5) of Invoice’s Khakis already, doubtless on this precise no-nonsense relaxed match. (It helps that Invoice’s Khakis occurs to be essentially the most dad-ish title for a clothes model within the nation.) Invoice’s has been making a model of its flagship twill trousers for over two-decades, however the silhouette’s lineage goes again to ‘30s-era US army officer khakis. Not like its supply materials, although, the two-ply, 9.5-ounce cotton twill used right here is sourced from Italy’s Tesutti Di Sondrio and washed for a classic really feel. Double-pleated means double dad-approved.
Finest Denims-Like Khaki Pants: Todd Snyder Japanese Selvedge Chinos
You possibly can normally rely on Todd Snyder to take a wardrobe stalwart and improve it a notch with out compromising the weather that made it nice. (His knack for sticking the touchdown is as dependable as loss of life and taxes.) On this case, the designer does an expectedly admirable job of staying loyal to the khaki’s important khakiness, imbuing his riff on the silhouette with simply sufficient fashionable edge. His ultra-relaxed selvedge chinos are crafted from cotton imported from Japan’s Kuroko Mill, made on conventional shuttle looms, and reduce with further room within the thigh in homage to the classic wide-leggers that impressed them. And identical to your favourite denims, their sturdy selvedge material will put on superbly, accruing an enviable patina alongside the best way.
Extra Khakis We Love
The Armoury by Ring Jacket Cotton Sport Chinos
You’re all the time in good arms if you’re buying at The Armoury, however you’re in particularly good arms with the haberdashery’s in-house line, made along with Japan’s Ring Jacket. Living proof: the duo’s three-season riff on basic khakis, reduce from comfortable cotton milled in Italy that may solely get higher every time you put on them. Which, to be clear, will likely be fairly often.
Taiga Takahashi Lot 202 Engineer Trousers
Cult-loved designer Taiga Takahashi’s khakis are constructed from a two-ply combed cotton the model dubbed its West Level material, named for the storied US army academy in upstate New York. They’re reduce with a excessive, shut match on the hips, and a more-than-generous leg opening that, true to their workwear affect, will look completely great pooling over lug-sole boots.
Knickerbocker Workers Chino Twill Pants
The NYC crew at Knickerbocker give their khakis a single wash for added consolation and a barely worn-in really feel. The affect right here is decidedly retro—see the beefy cotton, excessive rise, and huge legs—however in typical Knickerbocker trend, the execution is extraordinarily proper now. The strengthened seams imply these beauties are primed to get down and soiled, however the laid-back vibe will serve you simply as ably on a leisurely jaunt across the park. And for what it’s price, they’re top-of-the-line offers on this checklist.
Sid Mashburn Garment-Dyed Cotton-Twill Trousers
Atlanta-based menswear legend Sid Mashburn by no means performs all of it the best way secure, however his chinos boast a barely slimmer match than plenty of trousers on this checklist. Reduce from a good-looking cotton twill with slant pockets and completed hems, they may’ve been the dressiest pair right here if not for a garment dye that lends them a lived-in look proper off the shelf.
Noah Utility Chino Pants
Noah’s khakis are supposed to be worn huge: extra-wide legs, extra-roomy match, and an adjustable cinch belt by the rear to verify they don’t droop. Their sturdy cotton twill material makes them a not-too-distant relative of your sawed-off Dickies, however on this case, that cotton twill material comes straight from Portugal (and would possibly simply substitute your denims).
Ghiaia Cashmere Marinaio Cotton Double-Pleated Pants
Pasadena-based Ghiaia Cashmere—based by Brunello Cucinelli alum Davide Baroncini— makes its trousers in Italy utilizing a primo cotton-blend imbued with 2% elastane for a little bit further give. They’re excessive waisted, double-pleated, and relaxed in each feel and appear. These are the khakis your outdated man goals of sporting round the home when he retires—which, naturally, means they’re precisely what you have to be dreaming of sporting proper now.
Banana Republic Italian Herringbone Officer Pants
Half and parcel of Banana Republic’s current resurgence are objects precisely like this: in any other case basic, straight-leg officer chinos with a refined, luxe-leaning herringbone sample. Made in Italy from a lived-in cotton-linen mix, they’re go-to trousers for scorching summer time days—or any time a gown code forbids denim.
RRL Cotton Twill Officer Chinos
Nobody does old-school workwear like RRL, Ralph Lauren’s most vintage-inflected sub-label. The model’s heavily-washed, cotton twill officer chinos are designed to fade over time, getting you as shut as attainable to the unique Nineteen Forties British army trousers that impressed them.
