Chinos? Khakis? Whatever You Call Them, They're the Surprise Star of My Wardrobe

August 28, 2026

I keep track of what I wear – I actually have an Excel spreadsheet that I’ve been keep for years…

But I don’t often actually USE this data for analysis… Until just a few days ago, I decided to see what I could learn about myself and my wardrobe from this diligent record-keeping.

Most frequently worn garment? Blue jeans

Second most frequently worn garment? Black jeans (I sense a theme…)

THIRD most frequently worn garment? Khakis! Or chinos! Or whatever they’re called in your neck of the woods… We call ’em khakis around here….

Fennel seed cotton pants – Madewell

These aren’t exactly like mine, but these are really nice! All-cotton too…

I resisted buying chinos for decades. Literally decades. But I found a pair – used – very low price, and I took the chance. And now, any time I want to be comfortable, but I want to look just a little bit like I’m dressing nicely, I reach for them.

Why? They go with anything. Okay, I’m sure among us all we can thing of SOMETHING that won’t look right with them, but it’s an effort. These pants are versatile!

Let’s see…

What navy – a classic:

Tee shirt – L.L.Bean; scarf – Lauren Ralph Lauren; cardigan – L.L.Bean; pants – Madewell; navy suede bag – Madewell; boots – Munro

Pretty much any shade of green – wouldn’t you go to some lengths to be able to wear these boots all the time?

Earrings – Karine Sultan; sweater – L.L.Bean; ivory shirt – Lands’ End; pants – Madewell; scarf – Barbour; boots – L’Artiste by SpringStep

Black is an obvious pairing – especially with floral shoes!

cashmere sweater – J.Crew; leaf earrings – Maison de Gala; white tee – Lands’ End; scarf – Jessie Zhao New York; pants – Madewell; loafers – L’Artiste by Spring Step

All of the earth-tones are perfect with tan – and these pants make a sweatshirt just a wee bit less “sweaty.”

Earrings – Kate Koel; sweatshirt – Lands’ End; ginger striped shirt – Lands’ End; pants – Madewell; bag – The Sak; sneakers – Pikolinos

This is how I often wear my khakis – I have a glorious Irish cardigan, and a work-horse chambray shirt…

Cardigan – L.L.Bean; pearl earrings – Esterah; scarf – Lost Pattern NYC; chambray shirt – L.L.Bean; pants – Madewell; sneakers – adidas

Grey with tan? Why not – it’s a great opportunity to wear jewelry with both silver and gold…

Tee shirt – Lands’ End; necklace – Kendra Scott; earrings – Ana Luisa; cardigan – COS; pants – Madewell; shoes – Arezzo

Of course. Brown.

Cardigan – L.L.Bean; earrings – A Weathered Penny; cream turtleneck – L.L.Bean; pants – Madewell; scarf – Maryell; clogs – Blundstone

Burgundy is lovely here – especially with a wonderful scarf:

Oxford shirt – L.L.Bean; earrings – Janus Edinburgh; scarf – The Met Store; pants – Madewell; fig cotton sweater – L.L.Bean; loafers – Trotters

And when you’ve got fascinating accessories in that enigmatic color of labradorite (aren’t the boots and the scarf excellent with the jewelry?), all you need is the simplest of clothes: