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Cheap Chinos (the never-ending quest for the perfect chino)

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orange fury

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Recently, I've been pretty unhappy with the chinos I purchased a while back at a J Crew Factory store. First and most importantly, they've all shrank inconsistently- some pairs still fit fine, and some shrank in the waist to the point of being unwearable (I hang dry pants and wash cold on gentle cycle, and there's inconsistency within the same color, so it's been very random). Additionally, as they've been washed, the fabric has gotten rougher and pulled a bit- not softened. It's a shame too, because the Urban Slim actually fit me really well. I've been looking for other brands to replace them with, when I happened to stumble on the straight fit chinos at Old Navy (I know, I know)- I was surprised to find that they fit me remarkably well, the fabric was 100% cotton, and they were actually pretty soft. Also, they were $20. I picked up a pair of the khaki, this is a close up of the fabric (left J Crew, right Old Navy):


i seem to remember reading somewhere on here that people had actually had pretty good experiences with Old Navy chinos (I think Fading Fast was one)- does anyone have any experience with these as to how they hold up? I get that they're not Bills, but these are still available and aren't $100+.

Also, any other recommendations for inexpensive chinos? I've been tempted to try Lands End again, but I remember having the same sizing consistency issues. My favorite ones I've ever owned were PRL, but they have a dizzying array of fits available.

sorry for the somewhat discombobulated post
 
#2 ·
Spier and MacKay have their last season chinos on sale for $14.99 CDN right now (reg $48). Colors/sizes could be spotty and returns might be a hassle (cross border if you're in the U.S.) but I've read good things about them and it's hard to beat the price
 
#3 ·
If you're up for it I would give LE another try. I have four or five pairs and I've taken out the measuring tape after washing a few times and they are surprisingly consistent. I recently returned a few that I purchased back in December as I over estimated the inseam and the process went pretty smoothly. There is a Sear's right down the street so that made the exchange pretty painless as well.

If you do go LE again, wait until at least 30%-40% off sale. They don't happen all the time, but often enough where it's worth the wait.
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
cellochris said:
If you're up for it I would give LE another try. I have four or five pairs and I've taken out the measuring tape after washing a few times and they are surprisingly consistent. I recently returned a few that I purchased back in December as I over estimated the inseam and the process went pretty smoothly. There is a Sear's right down the street so that made the exchange pretty painless as well.

If you do go LE again, wait until at least 30%-40% off sale. They don't happen all the time, but often enough where it's worth the wait.
Click to expand...
Any thoughts on the fabric quality? I honestly can't remember what I thought of them, I just remember the cuff I had them do was the primary thing that irritated me before I returned them.
 
#6 ·
orange fury said:
Any thoughts on the fabric quality? I honestly can't remember what I thought of them, I just remember the cuff I had them do was the primary thing that irritated me before I returned them.
Click to expand...
To be honest, they are just OK. I got mine w/o cuff and they are OK. Not bad, not impressive, a solid "decent" quality.
CSG said:
Tried to tell you guys some months back about Kirkland brand chinos at Costco for $20. Not a response so, oh well, now they're sold out.
Click to expand...
I remember this and I did run over to the Costco down the street - they did not have any, only a plethora of jeans. I'm also hoping their wool pants return.
 
#7 · (Edited)
cellochris said:
To be honest, they are just OK. I got mine w/o cuff and they are OK. Not bad, not impressive, a solid "decent" quality.

I remember this and I did run over to the Costco down the street - they did not have any, only a plethora of jeans. I'm also hoping their wool pants return.
Click to expand...
They have these now but these were not the ones I bought and I haven't seen them at my warehouse:

https://www.costco.com/Kirkland-Signature%E2%84%A2-Men%E2%80%99s-Chino-Pant.product.100234563.html?catalogId=10701&keyword=kirkland+chinos&langId=-1&storeId=10301&refine=

or

[url]https://www.costco.com/Kirkland-Signature%E2%84%A2-Men's-Non-Iron-Pant.product.100281242.html

[/URL]
 
#8 ·
Lands End does trousers very well, but I have not seen a proper "khaki" fabric from them for many years. It's either too thin, or the color is off, or something. Of course, this is a matter of taste..

I have some 20 year old Lands End khakis that are awesome, just waiting for pleats to come back. ;-)

Someone is selling Poston Price branded Charleston Khakis on eBay for $30-40. These are comparable to Bills, from what I've seen in men's stores.

If they're too dressy for you, just wear them a lot and they'll become casual enough.
 
#9 ·
#10 ·
JohnAAG said:
Spier and MacKay have their last season chinos on sale for $14.99 CDN right now (reg $48). Colors/sizes could be spotty and returns might be a hassle (cross border if you're in the U.S.) but I've read good things about them and it's hard to beat the price
Click to expand...
I have a pair of these chinos and although I like the cut (fairly slim), let it be known that they are very lightweight. Good for the summer, but it might be worth seeing what their new line of chinos are like which should be released shortly.
 
#13 · (Edited)
OF, it was me who has touted Old Navy as a solid inexpensive chino. I (wearing them right now) have had very good success with them as "wear for a few seasons and toss" chinos.

On the plus side of the ledger, I like that the more I wash and dry them, the softer and more "chino like" they get - a very good broken in feel. And the only modest shrinkage I've noticed is about a half inch in length which happens to almost all of my chinos (as the commercial dryers in our apartment building have one temperature setting: "hades").

The negatives are no button on either back pocket (just a personal preference) and the sizing while pretty consistent isn't perfect (but, then again, Brooks Brothers sizing, IMHO, is much less consistent).

I did notice on the website that they now call their chinos "flex" chinos and they are now 97% cotton / 3% spandex - which has me very concerned as all of mine are 100% cotton and, as noted, have a great "chino" feel.

So, I highly recommend them with one caveat - this 3% "flex / spandex" variable is new and untested. I really hope they didn't screw them up.

Just posted a picture of the Old Navy chinos I'm wearing in the WAYW thread.
 
#14 ·
Believe it or not KMART basics brand are a poly/cotton blend, but a good cut, really cheap and hold up to knock around wear.
 
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#15 ·
FLMike said:
If you didn't buy enough Khakis to last a lifetime during the Bills GOB blowout, well, then you deserve to toil in khaki purgatory for a long while.
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Tried to buy during that time, but they failed to fulfill my order.
 
#16 ·
i just tried on the Old Navy chinos two days ago and didn't end up purchasing them. There was no way the rise would be able to keep a shirt tucked in. Now, I don’t like the super high rises like some folks here and i would usually wear the cheap chinos with an untucked polo or solid t-shirt, but i would still like the option to tuck in an OCBD if need be. I would be open to some other very thrifty options (i think the old navy ones were about 20?). Anyone have experience with J. Crew Factory Bleecker or Barrow chinos?
 
#17 ·
EastVillageTrad said:
Believe it or not KMART basics brand are a poly/cotton blend, but a good cut, really cheap and hold up to knock around wear.
Click to expand...
Good lord, no. I mean, if you like 'em, wear 'em. But I'd never go there.
 
#18 ·
FLMike said:
If you didn't buy enough Khakis to last a lifetime during the Bills GOB blowout, well, then you deserve to toil in khaki purgatory for a long while.
Click to expand...
:lol:
ButchHusy said:
For some unknown reason, Lands End recently stopped offering custom hemming on their new khakis, the people are not happy.
Click to expand...
Yes, the custom hemming I've gotten is on their non-iron only . . .
 
#19 ·
LukeRoz said:
i just tried on the Old Navy chinos two days ago and didn't end up purchasing them. There was no way the rise would be able to keep a shirt tucked in. Now, I don't like the super high rises like some folks here and i would usually wear the cheap chinos with an untucked polo or solid t-shirt, but i would still like the option to tuck in an OCBD if need be. I would be open to some other very thrifty options (i think the old navy ones were about 20?). Anyone have experience with J. Crew Factory Bleecker or Barrow chinos?
Click to expand...
Hi, did you happen to notice if the Old Navy chinos you tried were the "new" "flex" chino (97% cotton / 3% spandex) and, if so, how did the material feel - fake, "off" or like good, basic cotton chinos?
 
#20 ·
EastVillageTrad said:
Believe it or not KMART basics brand are a poly/cotton blend, but a good cut, really cheap and hold up to knock around wear.
Click to expand...
I use them for junkers, running after small children, don't have to worry about stains, etc.
 
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cellochris
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