So here’s what I’m looking for: 100% cotton blue/grey chinos that can handle actual work. Not asking for much, right? Wrong.
What I like to wear and find the most practical are 100% cotton chinos in blue/grey. Banana Republic and Gap have a good grey color that’s close to what I want. The BR pants are a little better quality, but they’re pricier—not really worth it for work pants that are going to get beat up.
The Work Pants Dilemma
For heavier duty stuff, I tend to get the canvas Dickies 100% cotton carpenter pants. They come in a few different weights, but here’s the problem: it’s getting incredibly hard to find just cotton. Same thing with BR and Gap. They add polyester to everything these days. So much for going organic and natural.
The Dickies work pants are legitimately heavy duty, but they’re true work pants—not all that flexible for other situations. It’s hard to pull those off when your wife wants you to be a bit more dressed up, and they’re not as comfortable as chinos. The colors aren’t great either. When I wear my chore coat with them, I look like I’m wearing a uniform.
What I Actually Want
So what I really want is a hybrid pair of pants: 100% cotton duck canvas chinos in grey/blue with a better leg cut and fit. This way I wouldn’t have to change from my work/chore/farm pants to my more comfortable and preferred chinos. It would help reduce the items of clothing I own and the number of times I have to change throughout the day.
All those pockets on carpenter pants and the hammer loop can fill up with dust or debris and get caught on things. Give me simple, heavy canvas chinos that can hold up to going through pricker bushes and brambles yet are stylish enough to wear to a casual function (as long as they’re not filthy).
Where I’ve Landed (For Now)
Banana Republic keeps changing the name of their chinos, and they’re down to 98% cotton, but it’s close enough in the straight or athletic fit. Today they’re called the Italian Stretch Chino in what looks like charcoal grey.
Gap has khakis that are the same content, and they seem to be a bit thicker, but they only have a single button closure. They come in straight or relaxed straight fits.
I’m sure there are others out there, but this is where I landed because of availability, convenience, and having a brick-and-mortar store. All things I consider when buying clothing—especially since I hate going to stores and shopping. But it makes returns or trying things on easier when you do find something.
The Leg Opening Problem
So until I find my perfect work chinos/khakis, I’m stuck needing both Dickies and chinos. The one issue I have with each pair of pants is actually the leg opening. The chinos tend to be too narrow at the bottom to wear work boots, and the carpenter pants have too much room at the cuff so they’re too loose.
As almost always, the sweet spot is somewhere in between. Where all answers almost always lie.
In looking around, I see that Dickies does make a more chino-style work pant, but the fit is a bit odd.
The Takeaway
If anyone out there is making heavy-duty 100% cotton canvas chinos in grey/blue with a reasonable leg opening that can transition from farm work to casual dinner without looking like I’m wearing a uniform, please let me know. I’ll be your best customer.
Until then, I’ll keep switching pants like some kind of fashion-conscious farmer.
Even that's Odd 
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