Pardon Me, But Do YOU Chino? *

The ANMJ Mamas Take on the Land's End Chino Challenge

Do you chino?  That is, um, wear chinos?  I have some plain, flat front khaki pants.  Sometimes I put them on.  They're soft.  They're comfortable.  They allow range of motion and look more polished than jeans.  But something about them is just so blaaaaaaaaAHaaaaaAHaaaah that I promptly take them off.  I'd probably wear them as a stop-gap on crazy mornings rushing out the door to the office with three babes in tow.  If I worked in an office, but I don't, and I've been happier with my fancy pant/denim rotation, so back to the very back of my closet my chinos go.

But I do now.  Chino, that is.

Until my complimentary pair of Land's End slim ankle chino pants in light raspberry wine arrived on my doorstep last week, I didn't fully realize what I was missing out on.  Gap and J.Crew have some cute chino options, but Land's End practically reinvented these babies.  Like the old standby, they're both work and play ready, and they are super-duper soft and comfortable.  But Land's End gives the old version a current spin with a slim, mod cut in nine (yes, NINE) lush colors (S. and I both chose the light raspberry wine, but the red, Mazarine blue, autumn sunset and dijon were all strong contenders, too).  Even though they're meant to hug, they allow all the range of motion a traditional chino does because they're 2% spandex, and they wash incredibly well (at photo time, mine had already been through two hot washes and two max heat dryer cycles--no iron, just removed them promptly and folded them neatly!). 

S. reports, "I really like these pants.  I'm so used to putting chinos in the 'drab, with a saggy bum' category that these were a pleasant surprise!  And the fit is much less chino, more slim cropped pant.  So 60's mod fabulous."  

And, they're surprisingly versatile.  S. and I both came up with myriad work and play outfits, only four of which we're showing you now. . .

Modern Suiting
S.'s take on a modern suit is both playful and proper.  The bright pant is unexpected, but it works well with the tailored, cropped jacket, while her skinny belt gives a nod to a multi-season favorite, color blocking.

Office Romance
I went for a softer, more romantic work look with a silky, floral peasant blouse and nude pumps. 

Weekend Geek Chic
S. goes geek chic for her day look with a quirky sweater layered over a button down shirt, patterned peekaboo socks and ankle booties.

 

Sunday Drive
I feel like I'm off on a Sunday drive in electric blue oxford shoes, peter pan collar sweatshirt and driver cap, and I'm loving it.  I rolled the cuffs for a slightly more cropped look (unrolled, they hit right at my ankle bone in the regular length).  Soooo much more interesting on casual day or for a run around town day.

Overall, these pants get an ANMJ seal of approval.  My only complaint is that they run a bit large, so if you're in doubt, or fall between sizes, we'd recommend sizing down or trying petite sizing--which seems to have a slimmer cut and slightly shorter rise--if you're 5'4" or under. 

Bottom line: we love the more polished styling and relaxed fit as an alternative to skinny, bright denim, and how well they play with contrasting textures.  These bright chinos stand up to anything from tailored jackets to silky blouses, knits, sweatshirts and tees alike.  And we think the electric blue/raspberry combo is deliciously saturated and mouth watering.  

So, Mamas, how do you chino? 

- M.

 

* Both S. and I received Land's End chinos as a consideration, and the Land's End Chino Challenge is part of a Land's End campaign.  ANMJ was selected among 25 bloggers to receive complimentary product for review and a chance to win a $2,500 Land's End sponsorship.  As we've told you before, however, we do not write up or recommend products we don't truly love.  Ever.