The arrival of warm weather and the end of confinement are the opportunity to get out the chinos. L’Honoré Magazine tells you all about it.
By Raphaël Sagodira
This morning, you smile: the weather is nice. You know this means two pieces of good news. You know this means two pieces of good news. The second: you put away the flannel and pull out the chinos, which is perhaps even more exciting. Made of cotton, more comfortable than jeans, chinos are nevertheless more dressy.
How you like these pants… Even if you are not particularly warlike! Indeed, the chino finds its origin in the military world. The chinos would have been invented by the British army in India around 1840. Sir Harry Lumsden would have had the English pants in shades of beige – less dirty than white – which becomes for English colonial uniforms in 1884. Chinos are then called “khakis”, which means “dust” in India.
If this is the case, why are we talking about “chino” today? The origin is uncertain. The term comes from the name given to pants sold to American soldiers by the Chinese diaspora in the Philippines during the Spanish-American War of 1898. Other sources mention the 1930s. What is more certain is that the soldiers of the US Army wore them during the Second World War. Once demobilized, the G.I Bill allowed servicemen to enter universities, introducing the chino as illustrated by painter Norman Rockwell’s Willie Gillis. It is the explosion of the preppy style, this style specific to the American students: the madras shirt, the chino and the white bucks with brick red soles.
Pulling you out of your martial reverie, she points out that your chinos didn’t stand up at all to your tastings in the Southwestern vineyards last summer. It’s time to renew your stock. Above all, start by plugging your ears when your colleagues give you generous advice. Someone who invents an illustrious genealogy will of course advise you to take “wilted apple green”, “crushed raspberry”, “mourning mimosa” or who knows what name invented by a so-called Viscount. And then what? If you are not from Bordeaux and independent, run away. Another, very familiar one – the one who calls you “guy” – will tell you to find some with embroidered polo players. Sporting fascination of the one who doesn’t have the physique? He prefers embroidered logos that are almost life-size, because his club mates have them. Again: run away.
No. Your chinos are simple, at least in appearance. They are made of light cotton, in beige, cream or even brick color – if you insistez- but it is not everything: didn’t I tell you that your chinos are only simple in appearance? That’s because you’re cheating. Your chinos are made of a blend of cotton and cashmere, or cotton and silk for the most luxurious models. In terms of discrete details reveal the connoisseur: adjusters and an extended leg on the hips means you don’t need a belt. The short and narrow leg does not break on the shoe and ends with generous cuffs that brush against your burgundy tassel loafers or your shoes with tan curls. Final touch because you are a responsible adult: your chinos are bound to have an iron-on crease.
Don’t forget to roll up your shirt sleeves and put on a Panama hat. You are now ready for the adventure.
