Mugsy Classic Chinos Review: Stretch Chinos That Elevate

Whether you’re a Mugsy superfan or new to the Mugsy lineup of menswear, listen in. The Mugsy Classic Chinos have become my go-to chinos for business travel. I find myself wearing these for most occasions as well!

From the minute I put them on (a shockingly good fit) through the time I took them to a weeklong client visit in Texas, I keep them in my drawer as a first pick for casual chinos that act like jeans.

Why I chose the Mugsy Classic Chinos

Because of the success from my other Mugsy pants and jeans, I figured their slightly fancier line of chinos would be a good match for a business trip I was going on. I had to go to Texas and “dress up” a bit more than I’m dressed on a regular day to day at home or during my regular leisure travel. This meant no sweatshirts, no T-shirts and I had to trade my joggers for chinos that elevated my full professional effect.

(This is easy for lots of guys, but as I slide more into the work-from-home lifestyle, with my main travel being just for fun and sometimes for even MORE working remotely from anywhere, I get challenged when I have to go business casual.)

The story for why I needed “khaki” is kind of funny and shows you how little I actually dress up. The dress code called for light-colored pants specifically according to company policy, and I had a slight panic when I looked in my closet and had an array of only dark-color pants like my Bluffworks Ascender Chinos in dark gray.

I scrambled and picked up the light colored Mugsy Chinos, figuring that would be good. Then, on my first day of a 4-day in-office trip at the client site, no one cared. It only matted that I looked presentable.

Pants colors, schmants colors.

But hey, the Chinos were a success in my book because they are super comfortable and now I get to wear them to events, occasions, parties and get-togethers both at home and then again when Becca and I take trips near and far.

First impressions and design details

When the chinos arrived, I was immediately impressed by their Mugsy standard of quality construction and comfortable fit. The cotton/rayon/spandex blend felt substantial and comfortable, with the stretch that moves naturally. I didn’t feel any awkwardness or baggy parts. So, this was going well.

The chino styling looked professional and polished, with the belt loops and rear slit pockets that give them a traditional chino appearance. This was one of the main guidelines for the required pants and bottoms for my outfits on my business trip: the policy was, no standard five-pocket “jeans” looks.”

The construction felt solid and well-made, with attention to detail that I expect in quality chinos from a trusted brand.

What makes the Mugsy Classic Chinos special

Can you tell that I’m pleased with these chinos for casual business trips? It’s a plus to have them around, because if I can rate them on a casual to formal scale, they fall more on the casual end of chinos. My Bluffworks chinos are more formal somehow, and I can pair those with a blazer. The Mugsy ones feel casual enough to wear out to a brewery or happy hour.

• Stretchy fabric blend: The 55% cotton, 37% rayon, 8% spandex blend provides comfort without sacrificing the professional chino look.
• True to size fit: They fit true to size in the waist, though they do run a bit long in the length (I’m 5’9” and ordered my usual 32x30). I find Mugsy products run a dab long in general.
• Business casual versatility: Perfect for meetings, client dinners and long hours in the office during business travel. Also great for wearing while dropping by the hotel bar after a busy day.
• Machine washable: Easy care with cold wash and hang dry instructions. I wouldn’t put them in the dryer because it might fray the material in general.

The stretch factor

The cotton/spandex/rayon blend makes these feel stretchier than traditional chinos, which I’m all for. I can wear the Mugsy Classic Chinos all day and they don’t feel stuff or uncomfortable at all. The stretch and ability to move, like I would in stretch jeans, makes these an applicable weekend pick for me, in addition to how I’d reach for them if I had to pack for a last-min biz trip with colleagues.

The fabric has a nice weight to it. They’re not too heavy, not too light and the stretch doesn’t make them look like workout pants. They maintain that classic chino silhouette while providing the comfort I have come to expect from more casual pants.

Build quality and fit

Don’t sleep on this: Mugsy pants come in a few “fits,” and you have to know them before you turn away one of their pants products completely. The first time I shopped on the Mugsy website, I looked past the 3 fits for chinos and 4 fits for jeans, and thought I was only seeing one choice.

The Mugsy Classic Chinos come in: Classic Mugsy (what I find to be the perfect style right now), Relaxed (slightly more baggy overall) and Slim Tapered (closer to a skinny jean style, but with more bunching at the ankles).

The construction on my Mugsy chinos feels solid, and they’ve held up well to regular wear and washing. The Classic Mugsy fit is a bit of a straight-leg style, which works well for business casual settings. That is the variety that I have.

Remember: They also come in slim tapered and relaxed casual styles. Pick whichever one fits your style and body type. Again, I find the Classic Mugsy to be the sweet spot for business casual needs.

Quick takeaways

If you want just the summary on why I feel these chinos are worth reviewing, here are the main points to know about the Mugsy Classic Chinos before we conclude.

• The stretch fabric eliminates the constriction of traditional chinos.
• Perfect for business casual travel and professional settings.
• True to size in waist, but run long in length.
• Easy care with machine wash and hang dry.
• Versatile enough for meetings, dinners, and long work days.
• The Classic Mugsy fit works well for most body types. I’d personally pass on the other two “fits.”

The Mugsy Classic Chinos are worth trying if you’re looking for comfortable chinos that don’t sacrifice style for comfort. They’ve earned a spot in my business travel rotation alongside other best travel pants for men, and I’d recommend them to anyone who wants to eliminate that “khaki constriction” feeling.