Casual and Chic: Why Chino Shorts Belong in Your Closet

While hotpants may be the signature look of the party girl and Daisy Dukes the domain of the Southern stunner, there’s another kind of short that belongs in a category all its own: the chino. Classy, mature and oh-so-comfy, chino shorts can help you glide through casual events while maintaining an element of subtle sophistication.

Whether going to brunch with your family or to the farmer’s market with your girlfriends, chino shorts will lend your outfit a touch of effortless refinement. Not sure how to style them? No worries—with our tips, you’ll be headed out the door with perfect poise in no time.

Cut from a Different Cloth

In business-like colors such as khaki, olive and navy, your chino shorts are a great match for fun prints. Pick a short-sleeved sweater in a polka dot or floral print for a little whimsy, or settle on plaid for a more tomboyish look. Tuck your top into your shorts for a playful riff on office formality without any of the stuffiness.

Take it Higher

With slightly longer hemlines, you can combine your chino shorts with heels and not worry about sending the wrong message. Choose heeled ankle boots in a color that riffs on the patterns in your top to keep the look cohesive, or slip on heeled sandals that match your skintone for an instant leg-lengthener.

Add a Little Flair

For a finishing touch, choose one accessory to get funky with. Whether it’s through a bright foulard that you wear as a headscarf or some crazy ankle socks, letting yourself go just a little wild will keep your outfit popping.

Now that you know how to pull an outfit together around your chinos, step forward in confidence that your casual sophistication can take you anywhere.

Chino shorts make it easy to look casual and put-together.