Chinos and a dress shirt are two wardrobe essentials for men. Yet pairing them well isn't always straightforward. In this guide, discover how to wear them together, the mistakes to avoid, and combinations that always work.

What style of shirt to wear with chinos?

Chinos are a versatile trouser, equally at home in winter and summer, and just as suited to casual looks as to dressier outfits. They pair well with pretty much any shirt style. That said, to pull off a polished, harmonious look, it helps to follow a few simple rules on colour, fabric and accessories when matching chinos with a shirt.

How to wear a shirt with chinos?

Chinos with a shirt on its own

For a classic outfit, chinos pair naturally with a buttoned shirt in a dressier fabric such as poplin, oxford, or even textured, elegant twill, which adds real character to your look. For more on this, read our guide on shirt fabrics and weaves. Go for a plain shirt, or, if you're feeling bolder, a fine stripe. A blazer can be added on top for the more formal occasions.

Chinos with a shirt worn open over a t-shirt

The chinos-and-shirt combo also works for a much more relaxed outfit: wear the shirt open over a t-shirt. In that case, choose a more casual fabric like chambray or linen. Subtle textures and small prints work well too, as long as the t-shirt underneath stays plain, single-coloured and fairly neutral. If you'd rather wear a graphic or logo t-shirt, stick to a plain shirt on top. Not sure what to wear under your shirt? Find all the options in our guide, What to wear under a shirt. If you like layering, you can also add a denim jacket or a velvet-effect twill jacket depending on the season.

What colour shirt goes with chinos?

Picking the right shirt colour to go with chinos isn't always obvious. For a bit of energy, go for contrasting colours. A tonal look is always a safe bet, but be careful not to combine shades that are too close to each other — matching one colour across the whole outfit can look chic, but it's easy to get wrong. For instance, purple chinos with a lilac or mauve linen shirt is a bold but effective combination. Pale blue chinos with a pale blue shirt, on the other hand, is a less successful pairing. A few combinations that always work: beige chinos with a white shirt, or beige chinos with a white t-shirt worn under a linen shirt. With navy chinos, try a pale blue shirt, or a blue check shirt worn open over a light grey t-shirt.

What accessories to wear with chinos and a shirt?

Accessories for a formal chinos-and-shirt outfit

For formal occasions, we recommend pairing chinos with a poplin shirt or a twill shirt, then elevating the outfit with the right accessories. For shoes, go for smooth leather derbies or oxfords, or, for the bolder dresser, polished tasselled loafers. For special occasions like weddings, add a blazer along with a tie or bow tie and a pocket square. Don't forget to coordinate your socks with your tie, and your watch strap with your belt. On sunny days, a pair of retro sunglasses will finish the look perfectly.

Accessories for a casual chinos-and-shirt outfit

For much more relaxed occasions, chinos and a shirt make an easy, elegant, casual combination — pair them with picot leather loafers or boat shoes. As mentioned above, the shirt can be worn open over a t-shirt; in that case, we'd suggest white trainers instead. Coordinate your canvas or leather watch strap with your belt, and add sunglasses to complete the look. In winter, on grey days, a beanie and/or a colour-block scarf in tones that match your chinos or shirt will add some energy to the outfit.

Can you wear chinos without a shirt?

Finally, the chinos-and-shirt combo isn't compulsory. You can just as easily go for a more casual look by wearing chinos with a t-shirt or a polo. Worn on their own in summer, in winter you can layer up with a fine cashmere jumper or a chunky cable-knit, depending on the weather.