SHOP $99, bonobos.com
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Tinkering with a fan favorite is a tricky proposition. So when Bonobos announced it was revamping its Stretch Washed Chino, a go-to pant for a whole bunch of guys, it was inevitable that a few feathers would be ruffled. So I should probably note at the outset where I'm coming from, lest those fans start heating up some tar to go with those ruffled feathers: I was never all that big on the first version. But now that the Stretch Washed Chino 2.0 has arrived, it's made me a convert. And it might just make you a convert, too. Here's why.
The three fits feel right for right now.
Bonobos has done the work of keeping up with the times in menswear—within reason; don't expect a billowing, anti-fit cropped sweatshirt anytime soon—but there are still some vestiges of the early 2010s vibe to be found. By which I mean, some of the cuts can tend towards the very tailored (some might say tight) silhouette that was such a revelation to so many men about a decade ago. If that's still your cup of tea, hey, you do you. But I've come to sincerely appreciate a little looseness in both a philosophical approach to getting dressed (go ahead and play around, mannnn) and in the actual shape of the clothes. These chinos, in the athletic fit I'm wearing right now, have a bit more ease around the waist, hips, and thighs, tapering down to a tidy ankle. The slim and slim taper fits, of course, bring things closer to the body, but nothing gets so tight that it feels out of sync with the more relaxed way guys are dressing these days. To me, that's a feature, not a bug. (And if the brand reintroduces a straight fit in the future, it'd be a surefire smash.)
SHOP $99, bonobos.com
The fabric is made to live in.
Considering I have some substantial qualms with overly stretchy stuff, I was surprised to learn, after first putting my hands on the Stretch Washed Chino 2.0, that it's got a whopping 8 percent spandex in it. Usually, that gives fabrics an almost sticky, rubbery hand. Here, the fabric feels pretty crisp, yet your movement is almost entirely unencumbered. Does it have the same crunch as a crinkly, nubby, 100 percent cotton fabric that comes from a vintage loom in some tiny workshop? No, it doesn't. But it's a much more natural feel than you might expect, especially considering the non-iron, wrinkle-resistant finish. If you're packing light and need something that'll be consistently comfortable and always look up to snuff, throwing these in your suitcase is a solid bet.
SHOP $99, bonobos.com
The details are genuinely handy.
While it's a departure from the classic-chino norm, the zippered pocket hidden away at the right hip of the Stretch Washed Chino 2.0 is a damn useful addition. Maybe I sit down weird or something, but the number of times I've had my keys slip out of my pocket while taking a load off has ticked up so high I've stopped counting. It's nice to know that I'll actually be able to unlock my front door later when I've got those keys stashed safely away in a zippered pocket. Beyond that, the signature curved waistband that Bonobos has rightfully talked up for years really does sit more comfortably on the body. And while I'm more minimally minded myself, the little strip of contrast fabric inside the back pockets is a continuation of a design element that's been in the mix from the start, and a nice nod to the early days of Bonobos. It might even convince some of those 1.0 purists to unruffle their feathers. Until then, more chinos for me—and you.
SHOP $99, bonobos.com
