Jeans and chinos are two of the most popular types of men’s pants on the market. They’ve been around for over a century, with millions of men throughout the world wearing them on a regular basis. Unless you’re familiar with both jeans and chinos, though, you might be wondering which type of pants is right for you. You can create a stylish appearance wearing either of them, but there are some key differences between these two. To make the process a little easier, we’ve compared jeans to chinos, revealing their similarities as well as their differences.
History
The origins of both jeans and chinos can be traced back to the mid-19th century. Historians agree that Levi Strauss was responsible for creating the world’s first pair of riveted denim jeans in the 1850s, which he sold to gold prospectors during the California Gold Rush. The heavy-duty construction of Strauss’s jeans made them appealing to gold prospectors, and it wasn’t long until ordinary men and women were looking to purchase them.
Chinos were also invented sometime during the mid-19th century, though the exact date on which they were invented is unknown. According to Wikipedia, Chinos were developed in the mid-1800s for use in British and French military uniforms. In the years to follow, their popularity spread into the civilian world. From there, it wasn’t long until men from across the world were wearing chinos.
Fabric
Different types of fabric are used in jeans and chinos. Jeans, by definition, are made of denim, whereas chinos are made of chino cloth. The denim used to make jeans is a type of warp-faced cotton that’s woven to create diagonal ribbing. In comparison, chino cloth is a type of cotton with twill-style weaving. Both types of pants are essentially made of cotton, but jeans are made of cotton denim, whereas chinos are made of cotton chino. The primary difference between these two fabrics lies in their weaving pattern. And although that sounds minute, the way in which cotton is weaved affects its appearance, strength, durability and other characteristics.
Popularity
As you may know, both jeans and chinos are popular. They’ve both been around for over a century, and while other garments have faded from popularity, jeans and chinos have become even more popular since then. Of those two, however, jeans are probably more popular than chinos. A study conducted in 2010 found that the average person owns seven pairs of jeans. Unfortunately, there hasn’t been study conducted on chino ownership statistics, but it’s safe to assume that most men own fewer pairs of chinos than they do jeans.
Price
You can expect to pay about the same price for jeans and chinos. A pair of high-quality jeans or chinos runs about $60. You can certainly find jeans and chinos for sale at a lower price, but you won’t get the same quality and attention to detail as you would with a $60 pair. Custom pants created especially for you are always a good option. If you’re going to invest in a pair of jeans or chinos, avoid the cheap, low-quality brands and instead choose a brand that’s built to last.
Weight
Chinos weigh less than jeans, making them an excellent choice for the warm summer months. Even during the “dog days” of summer, you’ll stay cool and comfortable wearing chinos thanks to their lightweight properties. Some men prefer wearing chino shorts during the summer for this very reason. Jeans aren’t particularly heavy, but they still weigh more than chinos. With that said, you can also wear jeans during the summer, assuming they are made of high-quality denim.
Formality
Arguably, the biggest difference between jeans and chinos is their formality. Neither jeans nor chinos are formal. Of those two garments, though, chinos are the most formal. They offer a semi-formal appearance that falls somewhere between a suit and a traditional casual outfit. You can create a slightly more formal appearance with jeans by choosing jeans in a dark indigo-blue color. But even then, they won’t offer the same level of formality as a pair of high-quality chinos.
Cleaning
The cleaning requirements for jeans and chinos are pretty much the same. Although there are exceptions, most jeans and chinos are machine-wash friendly, meaning you can clean them in the washing machine. When your jeans or chinos get dirty, just toss them in the washing machine with some laundry detergent. To preserve the color of your jeans or chinos, it’s recommended that you wash them in cold water rather than hot water. The problem with hot water is that it encourages dye to leach out of fabrics. Washing your jeans or chinos just once in hot water probably won’t cause any noticeable discoloration. But if you continue to wash them in hot water, your jeans or chinos will fade to a lighter color.
You can also dry jeans and chinos by either hanging them outside on a line or placing them in a dryer. Because they are both made of cotton, they are safe to use in a dryer. It’s a quick and easy way to dry your jeans and chinos, allowing you to wear them more frequently.
Durability
Jeans are known for their unparalleled level of durability. After all, they were invented specifically for gold prospectors and other hardworking men and women, so they can withstand a significant amount of stress. With that said, chinos are also durable. In fact, chinos are more durable than khakis, making them a popular choice for people who work in laborious jobs. Whether you choose jeans or chinos, though, you can rest assured knowing that your pants won’t easily succumb to damage.
Stain Resistance
There’s no such thing as a stain-proof fabric, but some fabric are more resistant to stains than others. Both jeans and chinos are more resistant to stains than other types of garments. However, the denim used to make jeans — as well as other denim garments — is able to repel stains better than chino cloth. This makes jeans an excellent choice for individuals who are constantly getting dirty.
