Chino pants have their origins dating back to 1848 in India when British officer Sir Harry Lumsden, stationed in India, initiated the history by dyeing the uniform, creating a subtle earthy color practical for the Indian region, named "Khaki," which means "dust" in Hindi. Subsequently, the Khaki color gained popularity in military uniforms worldwide. During the 1898 Spanish-American War in the Philippines, the U.S. military utilized affordable khaki-colored cotton twill fabric from China to make pants. To reduce costs, they minimized details like pleats, resulting in a modern design, and the pants came to be known as "Chinos," with "Chino" meaning "Chinese" in Spanish. Chino pants later became the official military uniform for the US army and started being worn in daily life by returning soldiers after World War II. Chinos gained immense popularity, especially on college campuses, becoming a symbol of preppy style.
Inspired by this historical context, at gajiroc, we decided to design Chino pants as they are a cornerstone of modern attire. We aimed to infuse them with essential elements: "versatility" for various situations, "durability" rooted in military heritage, and elements that evolve over time to bring lasting joy to wearing them.
Chino pants can't break the rule to be made from cotton twill fabric woven from cotton, so we focused on the silhouette, rather than fabric, to enhance "versatility." We spent a considerable amount of time researching various archives to find a silhouette that offers a balance of authenticity and versatility without losing functionality. The result was the "High Waist Chino Pants" by gajiroc, featuring a high rise and a strong tapered fit.
The high rise provides comfort when worn. Tucked in, they give a classic look, while untucked, they provide a relaxed, informal feel. You can adjust the fit according to your preference, wearing them high for a classic look or low for a comfortable silhouette with larger sizes. The tapered fit, narrowing below the wide thighs, offers a moderate leg opening that's comfortable to wear and creates natural creases when rolled up, giving it a "pin roll" appearance.
Regarding details, we retained the front slash pockets and rear double-welt pockets, similar to 1940s U.S. military Chinos. Deep darts extending to the pocket bottoms allow for a comfortable high rise.
Both the inseam and outseam are finished using a technique known as the "Double Needle Flat Felled Seam," where two needles are used to sew the seam simultaneously, creating a durable finish. This technique is common for jeans, and most garments use it only on one seam, either the inseam or outseam, due to the level of difficulty in production. The double seam not only enhances durability but also provides a unique aging effect over time through wear, wash, and drying processes, adding to the enjoyment of observing its puckering.
For fabric selection, we explored various options and ultimately chose "Peruvian Pima Cotton," woven in Osaka, Japan. This cotton is produced using fibers grown in the ideal conditions of the sun-drenched coastal valleys of northern Peru. Woven from long-staple fibers, this fabric offers a crisp texture, a soft touch, natural luster, and exceptional durability compared to regular cotton. Over time, you can enjoy the natural aging of the fabric, as its shine gradually diminishes, making it the perfect choice for gajiroc's Chino pants. Additionally, we used buttons made from buffalo horn, crafted in Tokyo. These buttons add a touch of sophistication without being overly flashy, enhancing the overall quality of the pants.
The "High Waist Chino Pants" by gajiroc, born through extensive experimentation and deep contemplation, combine robust durability, comfortable wear, and timeless design. We anticipate that they will seamlessly match various items in your wardrobe. Please experience them and enjoy their lasting appeal. Thank you.
Hanhart, M & N, and Richard James Lane. "Sir Harry Burnett Lumsden." NPG D22251; Sir Harry Burnett Lumsden - Portrait - National Portrait Gallery, 1865, lithograph, www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw84879/Sir-Harry-Burnett-Lumsden.
United States Office For Emergency Management. "Army uniform trouser manufacture. Kane Manufacturing Company, Louisville, Kentucky.trousers a day ranging in size from a small size of 28-inch waist and 29-inch leg to a large size of
46-inch waist and 33-inch leg. These trousers are made to rigid specifications, furnished by the Army Quartermaster Corps. This straight-knife cutting machine cuts 42 wool or 63 cotton pair of trousers at one operation." The Library of Congress, June 1941, Photograph, www.loc.gov/item/2017690040.
---. "Army uniform trouser manufacture. Kane Manufacturing Company, Louisville, Kentucky.trousers a day for National Defense. Sewing operations on some of these may trousers. Especially strong thread is specified in the rigid requirements issued by the Quartermaster Corps to stand the rough wear these uniforms will get in the field." The Library of Congress, June 1941, Photograph, www.loc.gov/item/2017690040.
---. "Army uniform trouser manufacture. Miss Lillie Page, worker at the Kane Manufacturing Company, Louisville, Kentucky.pair of trousers a day are turned out in this plant to clothe our expanding Army." The Library of Congress, June 1941, Photograph, www.loc.gov/item/2017690042.