Chinos vs Khakis: What Is the Difference?
Key takeaways
- Khaki is a light yellowish-brown cloth, and also the name of that color.
- Chino is a cloth: a cotton or synthetic twill, usually khaki-colored, of the type used for military uniforms.
- So a pair of khaki chinos is not a contradiction: chino is usually, though not always, khaki-colored.
- Describing chinos as slimmer and lighter than khakis is a retail convention, not a definition. Check the listing's fabric and fit details instead.
What khaki means
Merriam-Webster defines khaki as a light yellowish-brown cloth, made usually of cotton or wool, and also as the light yellowish-brown color itself. In the plural, khakis are garments made of that cloth, such as a military uniform or a pair of pants. The word comes from Hindi and Urdu khaki, meaning dust-colored, and the dictionary dates the cloth sense to 1857.
What chino means
The same dictionary defines chino as a cotton or synthetic-fiber twill, usually khaki in color, of the type used for military uniforms. Chinos, plural, are clothing made of that cloth. It dates the word to 1943 and lists its origin as unknown, so treat any confident origin story with caution.
So what is the actual difference?
Both words name a cloth, and khaki also names a color. Because chino is usually khaki in color, the two names overlap: a pair of chinos is often khaki-colored.
Many retailers draw a line anyway, describing chinos as lighter and slimmer and khakis as heavier and looser. That is a convention some stores follow, not a rule.
What to check on a listing instead of the name
Because the label is unreliable, look at what the listing states: the fabric content, such as 100% cotton or a cotton blend with stretch; the fit name together with the rise and leg opening; and the exact color shown in the photos.
Choosing shoes to go with them? One option is a white sneaker, as in our guide to white sneakers for men; another is a leather boot, as in our men's Chelsea boots guide.
Frequently asked questions
Are chinos and khakis the same thing?
They overlap. Chino names a twill cloth and the pants made from it, while khaki names a color and a cloth of that color. Chino is usually khaki-colored, so the two often describe the same pants.
Can chinos be a color other than khaki?
Yes. The dictionary says chino is usually khaki in color, which means not always.
Are khakis more formal than chinos?
There is no fixed rule. Many retailers describe chinos as lighter and slimmer and khakis as heavier and looser, but that is a convention, not a definition, so judge by the fit and fabric on the listing.
Where does the word khaki come from?
From Hindi and Urdu khaki, meaning dust-colored, according to Merriam-Webster, which dates the cloth sense to 1857.
Where does the word chino come from?
Merriam-Webster lists the origin as unknown and dates the word to 1943.
Sources: Merriam-Webster entries for khaki and chino, read on the date shown at the top of this page.
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