Let it be known that all pants are not created equal. It’s the harsh truth for some folks – especially for those who think jeans and dress pants are interchangeable (sorry, dude, they’re not). When it comes to pants, there are actually a ton of different styles you can choose from, and they all have their individual purposes.

And while pants like chinos and dress pants (also referred to as slacks) may seem like they are one in the same, we’re here to tell you that there are actually some minor differences between the two, including where it’s appropriate to wear them and of course, how to style them properly. Read on for everything you need to know about chinos and dress pants. 

What Are Chinos?

Chinos are pants that fall somewhere in between formal wear and casual wear. They’re typically woven and made from lightweight fabrics, like a cotton blend, and are more tailored than traditional dress pants, slacks, or trousers, which we’ll get to below. Chinos usually come in a wide variety of colors, including neutrals like khaki, grey, black, or navy, but you can also find them in bold colors, like red, cobalt blue, salmon, and more. 

While chinos aren’t exactly suitable to wear to a formal event, you can wear them to the office (if the attire is casual), on a date, out to dinner, to business casual events, or even just running weekend errands; they’re incredibly functional and can elevate your everyday, casual look while keeping you cool, dry, and comfortable.

What Are Dress Pants?

Dress pants, or slacks, are typically made from wool, unlike chinos, which are usually made from cotton blends (as previously mentioned). Since dress pants are made from wool, they will also have a bit of a sheen to them, as well as a smoother finish, and will likely be way softer than chinos. It’s not uncommon that dress pants have a matching suit coat to go with them; however, you can purchase and/or wear dress pants without a matching suit coat – you just have to be careful how you style them.