Khakis have spent enough time in office dress codes to acquire a reputation for playing it safe. The cut tells a more interesting story. A higher waist and front pleats bring out their tailoring pedigree; five-pocket construction puts them closer to your favorite jeans. The best khaki pants for men start with that distinction, giving you a reason to choose one pair over another beyond the shade of tan.
Best Khaki Pants for Men
Best Overall: J.Crew 770 Straight-fit Stretch Chino
J.Crew’s 770 understands the appeal of a straightforward chino. Straight through the hip and thigh, with a slight taper below the knee, it works with the clothes many men already own. An oxford shirt suits its preppy credentials, while a sweatshirt loosens things up.
The 7.9-ounce twill combines 97% cotton with 3% elastane, adding flexibility to a traditional-looking trouser. Slanted front pockets and double-welt back pockets keep the finish appropriate for a sport coat. It is our overall pick because that balance gives it the broadest use, from a casual office to dinner afterward.
Pay attention to the measurements if you favor wider trousers. The 770 takes a relatively trim approach to straight-leg dressing.
Best Budget: Gap Modern Straight Khakis
Gap has a persuasive answer for anyone reluctant to spend three figures on khakis. Its Modern Straight style covers the essentials with cotton-rich stretch twill and a mid rise, making buying an everyday pair a fairly uncomplicated decision.
The fabric contains 2% elastane, and a stretch waistband adds flexibility where you are likely to notice it while sitting. Sandstone is the versatile choice here, light enough to distinguish the trousers from dark denim and easy to wear with navy knitwear or a faded black T-shirt.
These are the budget pick for regular rotation. Check the selected color and size against the current offer; Gap’s discounts can change the calculation considerably.
Best Pleated: Alex Mill Standard Pleated Pant in Chino
Alex Mill brings the waist back into the conversation. Its Standard Pleated Pant has a longer rise and a relaxed thigh, with a tapered leg finishing at a cuffed hem. Tuck in a shirt and the proportions become the point of the outfit.
The midweight twill is 98% cotton with 2% elastane, while garment dyeing gives Vintage Khaki some variation in color. The appeal lies in how those details work together: the pleats add fullness at the top, and the taper keeps the lower leg controlled.
Sizing deserves a closer look. Alex Mill lists a 13-inch front rise in size 32 and an actual waist measurement of 34.5 inches. Compare those numbers with trousers you own, particularly if this is your first move toward a higher, fuller cut.
Best Casual: Todd Snyder Straight Fit 5-Pocket Chino
Todd Snyder gives the habitual jeans wearer an easy route into khakis. Five-pocket construction and rivets retain denim’s casual associations, while garment-dyed twill changes the texture and color of the outfit.
The mid-rise straight fit has a 16.5-inch leg opening in size 32, allowing the hem to sit comfortably over boots or heavier shoes. Cotton accounts for 90% of the fabric, with polyester and 2% Lycra completing the blend.
This is the casual pick because its details suit the way men actually wear jeans, with a chore jacket or a knit polo and very little ceremony. Its five-pocket design should be part of the attraction, particularly if you already own traditional chinos.
Best Stretch Option for Athletic Builds: DUER No Sweat Athletic Taper
DUER’s No Sweat Athletic Taper starts with the thighs, a sensible priority for men whose trouser shopping usually involves a compromise between waist size and leg fit. The cut provides extra space through the seat and thigh before narrowing toward the ankle.
Stretch fabric works alongside a gusset to support movement. Five-pocket styling keeps the appearance casual, making Desert Khaki a useful alternative to jeans for men who prefer a tapered silhouette.
Longtime customers may recognize the design as the No Sweat Relaxed Taper. DUER says the new name leaves the fit, fabric, and construction unchanged. Its proportions make it our stretch option for athletic builds, though the size chart remains more useful than the fit name alone.
Best Workwear: Dickies Original 874 Work Pants
Dickies approaches khakis from the working wardrobe. The Original 874 sits high at the waist, with a relaxed seat and thigh leading into a straight leg that tapers slightly at the hem. Those proportions give the trousers their recognizable shape, whether you wear them for a shift or with a T-shirt on your own time.
The 8.5-ounce twill combines 65% polyester and 35% cotton. Reinforced seams and wide belt loops support the practical brief, while the nonstretch fabric makes an accurate fit particularly important.
The 874 is also among the least expensive choices here. Buy it for the workwear construction and structured silhouette; cotton-rich stretch chinos offer a different feel and drape.
How to Choose Khaki Pants
Fit: Start at the seat and thigh, where a narrow cut tends to announce itself through pulling pockets and tension across the crotch. Then look at the leg. Straight trousers give the hem more width over shoes, while a taper draws the silhouette inward toward the ankle.
Rise: The waistband’s position changes the whole outfit. A longer rise can give a tucked shirt a more defined waist and let the trouser fall farther down the leg. Measure a pair you enjoy wearing before ordering, since terms such as “mid rise” vary between brands.
Fabric weight: Weight is a useful clue to how trousers will behave, especially when comparing summer chinos with workwear. Fiber content matters just as much. J.Crew’s 7.9-ounce cotton-rich twill and Dickies’ 8.5-ounce polyester-cotton fabric belong to different types of trousers despite the relatively small difference in weight.
Stretch: A little elastane can make sitting and bending easier, but the cut does most of the work. Choose enough space through the hips and thighs first. Stretch should support that fit, with the waistband sitting comfortably and the pockets lying flat.
