Bean stuff fits me well and I have a few of these. At $30 they are a fine purchase, but the fabric and finish on these trousers doesn't compare to trousers you can get for $50-75. Chinos by Berle, Bills, Facconable etc...these are in fact very nice garments. I think in order to make pants that they can sell for $15 [when they have to liquidate them] and still make money, they HAVE to skimp on fabric, just simple economics. Some people remarked that the Cramerton Twill was nice. But also, a LOT of fabric feels nice when new, but quickly wears and shrinks. The really good stuff is made to last.

There is no conclusion above, just some random thoughts for a Wednesday afternoon.

Danny

 

I've always been a huge LL Bean fan, but I have to give their treated cotton chinos a thumbs-down. They're stiff and the fabric feels... funny.

FWIW, I bought a pair of the chino shorts earlier this summer, and Mrs. J told me they looked like Garanimals for Kids. Now normally I don't agree with her sartorial comments, but had to agree with her this time.

 

Thanks for the comments, guys. Does Lands' End offer a similar-fit chino?

 

I wear my Bean chinos more than my Bills in the summer. The lightweight Bills are too lightweight. The heavyweight Bills are too heavy. Bean seems to be just right for summer, for me, anyway.

 

I just grabbed a pair of the Polo RL Custom Fit tissue chinos. $44 shipped with the sale and 30% off coupon code!

 

I think Bean's Kennebunk Chino is a fantastic pair of pants, and worlds better than the Double L Chino. The construction and the hand of the fabric are among the best I have ever owned.

 

I wear my Bean chinos more than my Bills in the summer. The lightweight Bills are too lightweight. The heavyweight Bills are too heavy. Bean seems to be just right for summer, for me, anyway.

Ditto! However my substitute for Bill's would be my BB Clarks Advantage chinos, most of which were bought on deep discount! The fabric in the Beans, to my eye and hand, is not as nicely finished as the BB's.

 

Ditto! However my substitute for Bill's would be my BB Clarks Advantage chinos, most of which were bought on deep discount! The fabric in the Beans, to my eye and hand, is not as nicely finished as the BB's.

Yes, Bills and BB Clarks have become my default chinos too. I like wearing the Clarks as summer golf pants. I keep wishing LLB would go back to it roots. Perhaps I should give the Kennebunk Chino a try.

 

Thanks for the comments, guys. Does Lands' End offer a similar-fit chino?

The only thing LE has right now is their Washed Chino It's not bad, but the internal cell phone pocket gets annoying.

Brian

 

Ditto! However my substitute for Bill's would be my BB Clarks Advantage chinos, most of which were bought on deep discount! The fabric in the Beans, to my eye and hand, is not as nicely finished as the BB's.

Just be careful. Some of those BB chinos are dry clean only. It is really annoying.

 

Just be careful. Some of those BB chinos are dry clean only. It is really annoying.

Thanks for the caution Doc. I made that mistake on a previous BB sale. The wife discovered my error (her words, not mine) when she was taking the tags off for the innaugural wash of the trousers. I returned those and, having learned my lesson, now read the tags, prior to each purchase. It would not be wise to give "She who must be obeyed" more cannon fodder! (winks)

 

Just be careful. Some of those BB chinos are dry clean only. It is really annoying.

How can a pair of chinos be dry clean only?

 

I don't know, but I have three pair that are.

 

I have been wearing LL Bean chinos for years. They are consistently the best deal around for cheap chinos. That said, they are cheap and do not compare to anything more expensive from Brooks and the like. Also, they tend to be cut more like jeans and so tend to slip off the waist rather easily. Same goes for there shorts. I have decided to replace my Bean chinos with something better and more expensive, but the Bean Chinos have yet to wear out. No problems with the less wrinkly version.