Menswear has moved on from the days when if you weren’t dressed in a suit, you weren’t dressed at all. Granted, choice may still not be as wide as womenswear, but us menfolk gain more wiggle room with each season. Literally, judging by the industry’s current obsession with wider legs.

Enter chinos, the epitome of classic wardrobe staple. Somewhere between denim’s casualness and tailoring’s smarts, chinos go up or down depending on what they are paired with. This versatility has been exploited by every generation of modern times – the US military, 1950s Hollywood, Ivy League preps and every casual Friday since the nineties.

That best-of-both-worlds style comes from a best-of-both-worlds construction. Chinos are cut from a twill cloth of the same name, which makes for trousers that are more hardwearing than wool, but without denim’s roughness.

As with so much in the male wardrobe, chinos have served their time in the ranks. When British generals eventually realised bright red uniforms didn’t exactly blend in, they sought something tough and neutral to camouflage troops. The US military followed suit, making the trousers official uniform in 1902. As soldiers retired, they took their trousers to civvy street. What one protected men on battlefields has since done the same for those everywhere from offices to skate parks.

“Chinos can cater to whatever look you want,” says Jenna Riddle, freelance stylist who has worked with the likes of Nike, John Lewis and Next.

“For a sharp but casual approach, wear them with a layered top half – T-shirts, overshirts, bomber jackets and dress socks. But if the occasion calls for smartness, opt for a slimmer fit with a tucked-in T-shirt and a blazer. Tonal points if the colour coordinates, but don’t be afraid to mix-and-match either.”

Especially since that keeps your style out of the golf club. “Chinos are older than your grandad and can easily fall into OAP territory. Avoid baggy fits up top and stick to casual pieces that flatter your form – no gilets, upturned collars or rugby shirts.”