The Tie Bar’s Stretch Chinos review: comfortable and versatile for $60

Jeans might be the most popular pants for men, but I’d be willing to argue that chinos are more important to own. They are unequivocally essential to creating a well-rounded wardrobe because they can be worn both formally and casually.

But even with this versatility, it can be hard to justify paying a hefty price for chinos when The Tie Bar makes a really nice pair for $60.

The Tie Bar Stretch Chinos come as the brand’s latest expansion into apparel, following previous releases of dress pants and dress shirts. What was once a go-to for ties and tie clips has grown into a well-rounded menswear brand, and its affordable prices are bringing real competition to the market.

Coming in three basic colors — granite, classic navy, and sandstone — The Tie Bar Stretch Chinos are made with 97% premium cotton and 3% spandex for a comfortable amount of stretch.

The Tie Bar Stretch Chinos feature a slim (but not too skinny) fit, pleats for a classic khaki style, and non-iron-needed treatment to resist wrinkles all day. They’re available in a wide range of sizes and lengths so most guys can find a pair to fit them.

I tested out a few pairs myself, and although the pants are designed to be non-iron, the first thing I did was iron out the small creases from being folded in the packaging. If you’re not a fan of pleats, you can iron those out while you’re at it. I decided to keep my pleats because I don’t mind them and I have a few plain-front chinos from other brands, so I wanted some variety.

What I like best about The Tie Bar Chinos is that they’re basic and well made; sometimes that’s all it takes for a pair of pants to be worth it. There’s no fancy marketing spin or high-tech, innovative material, but they’ve managed to near the top of my list of favorite chinos. At $60 each, there’s really nothing to complain about. And, it won’t hurt your pockets to pick up all three pairs, especially if you regularly transition between formal and casual environments.

The Tie Bar also does a great job at recommending other items to wear with the pants. Even if you decide not to buy the ties, shirts, and socks they suggest, it can serve as inspiration for the items you already have in your closet.

If you’re on a tight budget or can’t bring yourself to spend a lot of money on chinos, I strongly recommend The Tie Bar. Even if you’re willing to spend more, I suggest buying The Tie Bar Stretch Chinos as your everyday basics — and leave the more expensive brands for unique colors or materials to wear every now and then.

The Tie Bar Stretch Chinos, $60, available in three colors

Keep scrolling to see how I styled each pair of chinos: