Mid-to-high end chinos and OCBDs?
After years of WFH, wearing out some of my old classics (MiUSA Brooks Brothers OCBDs), and growing out of others (slim fit Epaulet chinos), I'm likely going to refresh the basics I've neglected for a while - specifically, chinos and OCBDs.
What are my options these days?
For chinos, I already have a pair of dressy chino slacks from the Armoury, so I'm mainly looking at options on the office-appropriate spectrum of business casual to workwear. I'm looking for slim/straight more than slim or wide leg, and I want a decent rise. My Epaulet rivet chinos from ~10years ago are not comfortable these days.
So far, I'm considering
- Left Field duck canvas
- Burgus 401
- Buzz Rickson "slimmer fit" US army chinos
- Freenote looks really nice, of course, but I think they're a bit spendy
Anyone try multiple options of these?
For OCBDs, I'm bummed Brooks Brothers shut down the NC shirting factory. It seems like the most comparable option these days (quality and price-wise) is the Kamakura Vintage Ivy line?
8 Replies
do you have an intended budget and are you open to secondhand options?
Prefer new. budget is like…idk under 200 for chinos? 150 would be a sweet spot (the ones I listed are all ~150). <120 for shirts. The MiUSA brooks brothers shirts were like 60-70 when buying multiple back in the day, but I don’t think there’s anything comparable these days
for chinos, jack donnelly comes to mind, several size options at $150/ea
if you had a little extra, polo and brooks are both around $200 and casatlantic is a little higher still, but frankly you'd be better off going on ebay and finding an equally good pair for a fraction of the cost.
bronson mfg has military inspired pants for less, like these https://bronsonshop.com/products/bronson-engraved-1942-model-army-khaki-chinos-mens-uniforms-casual-pants
Bronson Mfg. Co.
1942 US Army Chino Trousers
On the 11th August, 1937, the US Army released khaki pants with the military code number of [spec.no.6-254]. These pants have three pockets in the front (one slant pocket for each side, and one watch pocket) and two hip pockets in the back. In the fall of 1942, the military code number of [spec.no.6-254] contract ended. This is a reproduction of...
for ocbds the most cost effective option is buying a good brand (miUSA brooks, prl blake/yarmouth, j.press, kamakura, beams+, etc) on ebay as the market is robust
charles tyrwhitt shirts are inexpensive but i would search through the discord as people's reviews are mixed on the fit. mall brands like j.crew, gap, and BR are good if you find them on sale (which is often), as is uniqlo
For OCBD I’ve been satisfied with Gitman Vintage but the sizing can be weird.
Thanks for the recs! Will probably avoid mall tier stuff for no particular reason other than it’s not so interesting, but def some other stuff to check out
Never tried j press for some reason
unfortunately the Gitman cut doesn’t really work for me
eBay’s not usually my thing but I’ll definitely peruse. Is there a good market from dead stock/nwt stuff?
Wythe is a little over budget but still might be worh a look