Chinos for Short Men: The Ultimate Guide

This is a guest post written by Style Crew ambassador, Ivan Martinez. 

Chinos are one of the most important pieces in a man's wardrobe. They’re a great choice for an elevated casual look, and they’re incredibly versatile. Dressed up or down, chinos are a staple piece in a sharply dressed man’s wardrobe. 

Where did chinos come from?

Like many menswear pieces, chinos come from a military background. The first known use of chinos was during the Spanish American War when they were part of the Army’s uniform. The cotton they used to make the pants was imported from China, which was how they came up with the name “chino” (chino is Spanish for Chinese).

Common Chino Fit Mistakes Short Men Make

Your Chinos are Too Long

The most common mistake men make is wearing pants that are too long. You can tell if your pants are too long by how many breaks there are at your ankle. If there is more than one full break, then your pants are too long.

Your Chinos are Too Baggy

Another common mistake men make is not wearing the proper cut of pants. There are many types of cuts such as regular, slim, and skinny, and our suggestion is to wear a cut that surrounds your legs but doesn’t constrict your movement. For most, a slim tapered cut will work wonders.

Your Chinos are the Wrong Proportions

For us shorter men, buying clothes just to have them altered at the tailor is the go-to option. But for most of us, this isn’t actually solving the problem! Pants are constructed for taller men (well over 5’8”), so a simple hem won’t change the foundation of the pants. Taller men have longer legs, so the knee area, pockets, rise, and all details are constructed with those proportions in mind. If you’re 5’5” and you wear pants that have proportions designed for a man who is 5’10”, it looks wrong.

Choosing Quality Chino Material

The material that chinos are made of is an important factor in how long they last. When you skimp on quality, you’ll inevitably find yourself paying more in the long run because you’ll end up buying more pairs. The higher quality chinos you buy, the longer they’ll last you.

Choosing Quality Chino Material

Styling Chinos: Business Casual

Here the model is wearing khaki chinos with a navy sweater and oxford button-down. 

This look works because it's an everyday business casual outfit that you can wear at the office or in any meeting. The sweater is an added touch that gives the outfit a more formal sense. 

Styling Chinos: Smart Casual

Here I paired the khaki chinos with a few extra layers — a v-neck sweater and a blazer. I also decided to add a bright colored tie and pocket square to accessorize the look. This is a great smart casual outfit if you want to look put-together but add a fashionable spin to your outfit.

The best part of Ash & Erie is not only the great fit but the abundance of options when it comes to your inseam. No matter your height or style it's tough to find an inseam that fits you off the rack. Most times you need to take pants in for tailoring, so you not only pay to purchase the pants, but also to have a tailor fix as much as they can. 

Ivan Martinez is a men's lifestyle and style blogger based out of Minneapolis, MN. Ivan's personal style is focused on highlighting classic, timeless pieces and adding in a twist of modern fashion.

Check out his page here: @iammrmartinez

The Ash & Erie Difference

Building Chinos for Short Men from Scratch

We’ve poured a tremendous amount of work into developing our chinos, and we hope you can feel the difference when you put them on. We work with quality mills to source our premium cotton, and our development process is unmatched. 

Our Collection

Ash & Erie Vintage Khaki Chino Short for Short Men   Chino Shorts
Ash & Erie Vintage Khaki Chino Short for Short Men   Chino Shorts
Ash & Erie Vintage Khaki Chino Short for Short Men   Chino Shorts
Ash & Erie Vintage Khaki Chino Short for Short Men   Chino Shorts
Ash & Erie Vintage Khaki Chino Short for Short Men   Chino Shorts
Ash & Erie Vintage Khaki Chino Short for Short Men   Chino Shorts
Ash & Erie Vintage Khaki Chino Short for Short Men   Chino Shorts

Vintage Khaki Lightweight Stretch Chino Short

$78
Ash & Erie Silver Pine Chino Short for Short Men   Chino Shorts
Ash & Erie Silver Pine Chino Short for Short Men   Chino Shorts
Ash & Erie Silver Pine Chino Short for Short Men   Chino Shorts
Ash & Erie Silver Pine Chino Short for Short Men   Chino Shorts
Ash & Erie Silver Pine Chino Short for Short Men   Chino Shorts
Ash & Erie Silver Pine Chino Short for Short Men   Chino Shorts
Ash & Erie Silver Pine Chino Short for Short Men   Chino Shorts

Silver Pine Lightweight Stretch Chino Short

$78
Ash & Erie True Navy Lightweight Stretch Chino Short for Short Men   Chino Shorts
Ash & Erie True Navy Lightweight Stretch Chino Short for Short Men   Chino Shorts
Ash & Erie True Navy Lightweight Stretch Chino Short for Short Men   Chino Shorts
Ash & Erie True Navy Lightweight Stretch Chino Short for Short Men   Chino Shorts
Ash & Erie True Navy Lightweight Stretch Chino Short for Short Men   Chino Shorts
Ash & Erie True Navy Lightweight Stretch Chino Short for Short Men   Chino Shorts
Ash & Erie True Navy Lightweight Stretch Chino Short for Short Men   Chino Shorts

True Navy Lightweight Stretch Chino Short

$78