Chinos are absolutely essential for a stylish man’s wardrobe. They can be worn in so many different ways, and they look great with all types of tops, shoes, blazers, and belts. For that reason, when you invest in chinos, concentrate on getting them in a few different colors - both subtle and bold.
Neutral chinos are integral for the business casual vibe, and they’re perfect for understated, sophisticated looks. Undoubtedly, khaki is the most versatile chino color. But the best chino colors don’t only exist in the neutral family - a few of the best colors are bright and pastel, too, especially for summer!
Perk is here to tell you that, while neutral chinos (like those in brown and black) are a timeless classic, the pastel trend is making a huge comeback right now. But just because these chino colors are in right now doesn’t mean that all shades of pastel will work for every guy.
Or maybe, if you’re a guy who likes to stick with his navy blue chinos, pastels aren’t your vibe at all. And that’s okay, too! But if you’re looking to try out chino pants colors a little off the beaten path, we’re here to tell you how to do it.
Tips for Wearing Pastels
Take a look at these tips on how to wear pastel colored chinos for men.
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Think of Your Skin Tone
Your skin either has a warm or a cool undertone. Whichever category you fall under, you’ll want to wear the opposite shades on the color wheel. Also, consider both soft and hard pastels, as soft shades are faded and hard shades are vibrant. Fair-skinned people might get washed out by soft shades, so if that’s you, you might consider sticking to the bright hues. Darker skin can work with pretty much every shade of pastel.
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Loosen Up
You’ve got to find the happy medium between oversized and skintight when it comes to anything pastel, whether it’s your t-shirts or your chino pants. Pastel colors might make you look bigger than you are, so it’s important to find the right size for your body.
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Read the Room
While summer clothes colors tend to lean towards bright and pastel, it’s still important to make note of the dress code. While it’s possible for bright colors and pastels to work in some settings, they don’t work everywhere.
Pastel Chinos
You have to know how to wear pastel chinos because, if you do it wrong, you could end up with a disastrous look. While chinos are famous for flattering every body type, that only holds true if you know your size and understand how to create an outfit that flows seamlessly.
Another thing to keep in mind is that if you’re going to sport chinos in such colors, make sure the rest of your outfit is as subtle as possible. Of course, they don’t demand attention like chinos in neon do, but they still warrant more eyes than a simple pair of chinos in navy or black. Whatever article of clothing you’ve got in pastel, that article will be the star of your outfit.
Because your chinos are the star, that means that your shirt should complement your pants without being ultra-matchy. We’d recommend choosing basic shades like black, off-white, and gray, because those hues take the back seat and let your pastel chinos do the heavy lifting.
In an outfit like this, avoid using two shades of the same color. Use another neutral color for your shoes to put the finishing touch on your outfit that highlights your pastel chinos.
Neutral Chinos
If pastel isn’t quite your style and you’d like a few tips on how to wear neutral-colored chinos, we won’t leave you hanging. Let’s dive briefly into a couple neutral shades.
Beige Chinos
The lighter the color your pants or shoes, the less formal they are. For that reason, beige chinos are best suited for casual settings, like a walk in the park or happy hour. If you pair these pants with a nice navy blue shirt or one in dark gray or burgundy, you’ll look sharp and balanced.
Navy Chinos
Navy blue chinos are the kings of versatility. If you wear them with a simple white t-shirt and sneakers, you’ll be ready to go pretty much anywhere. The great thing about these pants is that they work as half of a suit, so you can dress them up with a shirt, tie, and cardigan for the office or after-work drinks.
Best Chinos for Summer
While pastels are undoubtedly the best color chinos to wear in the summer, you can always fall back on your beige or navy pants if you aren’t comfortable in bright colors. No matter what you choose to wear, know that you can find the best selections right here at Perk.
