Men’s Casual Style Guide: Chinos, Cargo Pants, Polos and Shirts

What are chinos?

Chinos are lightweight cotton twill pants with a flat front, slanted side pockets and a clean, tailored look. They sit between jeans and dress pants, so they work for the office and the weekend. NY Threads men’s chino pants are 98% cotton and 2% elastane in a regular fit, with a zip fly and four pockets.

The men’s khaki chino pants have slanted side pockets and button-close back welt pockets. They come in light khaki, black, dark grey and navy, in waist sizes 30 to 42 with a 30 or 32 inch inseam. The fit runs slightly generous: if your waist falls between two sizes, size down. For example, 34W fits a 35–36 inch waist. See the chino chart in the size guide.

What is the difference between chinos and khakis?

Chinos are lighter and dressier than khakis. Chinos use a smooth, lightweight cotton twill with hidden seams and flat pockets, while classic khakis are a heavier, sturdier twill with visible stitching. Khaki is also a color, a light tan, which is why tan chinos are often called khakis. Both are less formal than dress pants.

“Of the two, khakis are more toward the sturdy work-wear end of things, while chinos are lighter and a bit dressier.”

What are cargo pants?

Cargo pants are loose, sturdy pants with large patch pockets on the sides of the legs, built to carry more than regular trousers. They began as military and work pants and are now everyday casual wear. NY Threads men’s cargo pants are a 98% cotton stretch blend in a relaxed fit, with six pockets and a zip fly.

The men’s cotton stretch cargo pants come in dark khaki, black, dark grey and navy, in waist sizes 32 to 46 with a 30 or 32 inch inseam. To style them, keep the top half simple: a plain crew neck tee, a polo or a fitted turtleneck balances the roomy leg, and clean sneakers or boots finish the outfit. Browse all men’s pants.

What are the best men’s casual clothes under $40?

The best men’s casual clothes under $40 are plain, well-fitting basics you can wear several ways. From NY Threads, a golf polo is $24.99, cargo shorts $31.99, a ribbed turtleneck $31.99, chino shorts $32.99, a wrinkle-free dress shirt $33.99, chino pants $37.99 and cargo pants $38.99.

Prices are regular prices on November 12, 2026, before any sale. Sale prices can be lower; the product page always shows the current price.

The 5-pack of men’s crew neck T-shirts costs $46.99, which works out to under $10 a shirt. Standard shipping is free on every order with no minimum, and unused, unworn items with tags can be returned within 60 days of delivery.

How should cargo shorts and chino shorts fit?

Cargo shorts and chino shorts should sit at your natural waist without a belt, feel easy through the hip and thigh, and end at or just above the knee. The leg opening should not flare out or cling. NY Threads men’s cargo shorts and chino shorts both have a 10-inch inseam and a zip fly.

In both styles, size 34 fits a 35–36 inch waist and a 41–42 inch hip. Browse all men’s shorts.

How do you wear a polo shirt?

Wear a polo shirt fitted but not tight: the shoulder seams should sit on your shoulder bones, the sleeves should end mid-bicep and the hem should stop around mid-fly so you can wear it tucked or untucked. Pair it with chinos or chino shorts for smart casual, and keep the collar down.

A Medium golf polo fits a 38–41 inch chest and measures 28.5 inches long. Browse all performance polos.

What is business casual for men?

Business casual for men means neat, collared and comfortable without a suit and tie: chinos or dress pants, a button-down shirt or polo, and leather shoes or clean, plain sneakers. Jeans, shorts, cargo pants and graphic tees are usually too casual. Dress codes differ, so check what your workplace expects.

How should a dress shirt fit?

A dress shirt should lie flat across your chest without pulling at the buttons, with shoulder seams on the edge of your shoulders and cuffs that reach the base of your thumb. Measure the fullest part of your chest to pick a size. In the NY Threads wrinkle-free dress shirt, a Medium fits a 41–43 inch chest.

The men’s wrinkle-free dress shirt is a 92% polyester, 8% spandex 4-way stretch fabric at 140 GSM, with a pointed collar and button front, in sizes S to XXL.

How do you iron a dress shirt?

Iron a dress shirt while it is slightly damp, in this order: collar, cuffs, sleeves, then the front panels and back. Use the heat setting on the care label and keep the iron moving. A wrinkle-free stretch shirt needs much less work: hang it to dry and use a cool iron only if needed.

1. Check the care label for the right heat setting.
2. Iron the underside of the collar first, from the points toward the middle.
3. Open the cuffs and iron them flat, then the sleeves.
4. Iron the front panels, working around the buttons, then the back.
5. Hang the shirt up straight away and fasten the top button.

The NY Threads wrinkle-free dress shirt is labeled machine wash cold on delicate, hang to dry, and cool iron only if needed.

What is a crew neck T-shirt?

A crew neck T-shirt has a round, close-fitting neckline with a ribbed collar and no buttons or placket. It is the most common T-shirt shape and works alone, under an open shirt or as a layer under a sweater. NY Threads men’s crew neck T-shirts are 52% cotton and 48% polyester with a stay-flat collar.

The men’s crew neck T-shirts come as a pack of 5, in all white or a mix of black, heather grey and navy, in sizes S to XXL. A Medium fits a 38–40 inch chest. Some sizes are low in stock. Browse all men’s tops.

How do you wash chinos, cargo pants and shirts?

Wash chinos, cargo pants and casual shirts in cold water with similar colors, skip the bleach and tumble dry on low. Take cotton pants out of the dryer promptly to limit wrinkles, and iron on medium if needed. Hang stretch dress shirts and cotton-blend T-shirts to dry. Always follow the care label.

Men’s casual wear FAQs

Where can I buy men’s chinos?

You can buy men’s chinos at department stores, menswear stores and online. NY Threads sells online at nythreads.com, the NY Threads store for the United States, and through the NY Threads brand store on Amazon. NY Threads men’s stretch chino pants cost $37.99 and chino shorts $32.99, with free standard shipping on every order.

Are chinos business casual?

Yes. Chinos are a standard business casual pant, especially in navy, grey, black or khaki, worn with a button-down shirt or a polo. Choose a clean, pressed pair without cargo pockets, such as the NY Threads chino pants, and add a belt and leather shoes or plain sneakers.

Do NY Threads chinos run big?

NY Threads men’s chino pants are a regular fit that runs slightly generous. If your waist measurement falls between two sizes, choose the smaller one. For example, size 34W is made for a 35–36 inch waist and a 40–42 inch hip. The full chart is in the size guide.

What do you wear with cargo pants?

Wear cargo pants with simple, fitted tops so the outfit stays balanced: a plain crew neck T-shirt, a polo or a slim turtleneck. Add clean sneakers or boots. Neutral cargo colors such as black, navy, dark grey and dark khaki go with almost any top.

How much do men’s chinos and cargo pants cost at NY Threads?

At NY Threads, men’s chino pants cost $37.99, cargo pants $38.99, chino shorts $32.99 and cargo shorts $31.99. These are regular prices on November 12, 2026, before any sale. Standard shipping is free on every order.

What are good clothing gifts for men under $40?

Useful clothing gifts for men under $40 from NY Threads include a UPF 70+ golf polo ($24.99), a ribbed turtleneck ($31.99), a wrinkle-free dress shirt ($33.99) or stretch chino pants ($37.99). Unused items with tags can be returned within 60 days of delivery.

Are NY Threads chinos and cargo pants OEKO-TEX certified?

Yes. NY Threads men’s chino pants and shorts, cargo pants and shorts, wrinkle-free dress shirt and crew neck T-shirts are OEKO-TEX® certified, so their materials are tested for harmful substances.

Our methodology

Every fabric, size, pocket count and care instruction below comes from the NY Threads product specification for that item. The chinos and khakis comparison is quoted from Real Men Real Style, and sizes come from the NY Threads size charts. We checked 9 NY Threads product specifications on November 12, 2026 for this guide, and we update it when a product, size chart or care label changes.

Sources

• Difference Between Khakis and Chinos, Real Men Real Style
• NY Threads size guide: men’s casual