We think chinos get a bad rap. These days, they’re widely perceived as a safe, office-friendly option; reliable, but hardly exciting. As is so often the case, however, history tells a different story, and that story is the one that we sought to retell with our brand new Foundation Pant.

You see, the earliest versions of what we now call chinos were actually issued to soldiers during WWII (and later on, the Korean and Vietnam wars) as versatile, comfortable, and exceedingly durable trousers that could withstand the demands of enlisted life. These early chinos proved so popular (and resilient) that GIs kept wearing them even after they came home—not only at the office, but in the garage, tuning up cars and motorcycles, or in the workshop, or out in the field. They were seen as the quintessential utility pants, and their popularity quickly caught on; just about everybody had room in their closet for a pair of trousers that could do it all.

The History of the Military Chino in WWII

The Foundation Pant

  • The Slim Foundation Pant in Dried Earth - featured imageThe Slim Foundation Pant in Dried Earth - featured image
    The Slim Foundation Pantin Dried Earth $125 2828292930303131323233333434353536363838
  • The Democratic Foundation Pant in Dried Earth - featured imageThe Democratic Foundation Pant in Dried Earth - featured image
    The Democratic Foundation Pantin Dried Earth $125 2828292930303131323233333434353536363838
  • The Slim Foundation Pant in Organic Coal - featured imageThe Slim Foundation Pant in Organic Coal - featured image
    The Slim Foundation Pantin Organic Coal $125 2828292930303131323233333434353536363838
  • The Democratic Foundation Pant in Organic Coal - featured imageThe Democratic Foundation Pant in Organic Coal - featured image
    The Democratic Foundation Pantin Organic Coal $125 2828292930303131323233333434353536363838
  • The Slim Foundation Pant in Organic Khaki - featured imageThe Slim Foundation Pant in Organic Khaki - featured image
    The Slim Foundation Pantin Organic Khaki $125 2828292930303131323233333434353536363838
  • The Democratic Foundation Pant in Organic Khaki - featured imageThe Democratic Foundation Pant in Organic Khaki - featured image
    The Democratic Foundation Pantin Organic Khaki $125 2828292930303131323233333434353536363838
  • The Slim Foundation Pant in Organic Olive - featured imageThe Slim Foundation Pant in Organic Olive - featured image
    The Slim Foundation Pantin Organic Olive $125 2828292930303131323233333434353536363838
  • The Democratic Foundation Pant in Organic Olive - featured imageThe Democratic Foundation Pant in Organic Olive - featured image
    The Democratic Foundation Pantin Organic Olive $125 2828292930303131323233333434353536363838
  • The Slim Foundation Pant in Organic Espresso - featured imageThe Slim Foundation Pant in Organic Espresso - featured image
    The Slim Foundation Pantin Organic Espresso $125 2828292930303131323233333434353536363838
  • The Democratic Foundation Pant in Organic Espresso - featured imageThe Democratic Foundation Pant in Organic Espresso - featured image
    The Democratic Foundation Pantin Organic Espresso $125 2828292930303131323233333434353536363838
  • The Democratic Foundation Pant in Organic Dark Navy - featured imageThe Democratic Foundation Pant in Organic Dark Navy - featured imageArchive
    The Democratic Foundation Pantin Organic Dark Navy28293031323334353638
  • The Democratic Foundation Pant in Organic Stone - featured imageThe Democratic Foundation Pant in Organic Stone - featured imageArchive
    The Democratic Foundation Pantin Organic StoneSold Out
  • The Slim Foundation Pant in Organic Stone - featured imageThe Slim Foundation Pant in Organic Stone - featured imageArchive
    The Slim Foundation Pantin Organic StoneSold Out
  • The Democratic Foundation Pant in Espresso Cord - featured imageThe Democratic Foundation Pant in Espresso Cord - featured imageArchive
    The Democratic Foundation Pantin Espresso CordSold Out
  • The Slim Foundation Pant in Espresso Cord - featured imageThe Slim Foundation Pant in Espresso Cord - featured imageArchive
    The Slim Foundation Pantin Espresso CordSold Out
  • The Slim Foundation Pant in Organic Dark Navy - featured imageThe Slim Foundation Pant in Organic Dark Navy - featured imageArchive
    The Slim Foundation Pantin Organic Dark NavySold Out
  • The Democratic Foundation Pant in Organic British Khaki - featured imageThe Democratic Foundation Pant in Organic British Khaki - featured imageArchive
    The Democratic Foundation Pantin Organic British KhakiSold Out
  • The Slim Foundation Pant in Organic British Khaki - featured imageThe Slim Foundation Pant in Organic British Khaki - featured imageArchive
    The Slim Foundation Pantin Organic British KhakiSold Out
  • The Slim Foundation Pant in Organic Steeple Grey - featured imageThe Slim Foundation Pant in Organic Steeple Grey - featured imageLast Call
    The Slim Foundation Pantin Organic Steeple Grey $75 On Sale$125 Regular 40% off!2828292930303131323233333434353536363838
  • The Democratic Foundation Pant in Organic Steeple Grey - featured imageThe Democratic Foundation Pant in Organic Steeple Grey - featured imageLast Call
    The Democratic Foundation Pantin Organic Steeple Grey $75 On Sale$125 Regular 40% off!2828292930303131323233333434353536363838
  • The Slim Foundation Pant in Organic Marine - featured imageThe Slim Foundation Pant in Organic Marine - featured imageArchive
    The Slim Foundation Pantin Organic MarineSold Out
  • The Democratic Foundation Pant in Organic Marine - featured imageThe Democratic Foundation Pant in Organic Marine - featured imageLast Call
    The Democratic Foundation Pantin Organic Marine $75 On Sale$125 Regular 40% off!2828292930303131323233333434353536363838

That’s the legacy we’re celebrating with The Foundation Pant, and fittingly, it all started when we tracked down some deadstock military chino twill fabric and meticulously reverse engineered it using Responsible 100% organic cotton (including the pocketing!). Of course, we didn’t stop there, opting for a year-round weight (8-oz.)—not too heavy, not too light—and a tight weave with mercerized yarns for a smooth hand feel and improved strength. We also added some elevated detailing to the design, including burly herringbone accents at the waistband and in the pockets as a nod to The Foundation Pant’s military origins as well as bound interior seams for comfort and durability.

A collage of our new Foundation Pant in Organic Khaki, Espresso, and Coal.

The Foundation Pant ships in both of our signature fits—Slim for a more tapered look, and Democratic for some extra room—both of which have been retooled ever so slightly based on customer feedback. We’re extremely pleased with the final results, which strike that elusive, trend-immune balance between contemporary and classic. As per usual, you can expect some absolutely stellar tailoring and finishing, so it’s easy to dress The Foundation Pant up when the occasion calls for it.

The Democratic Foundation Pant in Organic Khaki flatlay & Lifestyle imagery
The Democratic Foundation Pant in Organic Khaki
The Slim Foundation Pant in Organic Espresso flatlay & Lifestyle imagery
The Slim Foundation Pant in Organic Espresso

For the initial launch, we picked a handful of timeless, versatile colorways that are easy to work into just about any wardrobe: Khaki, Coal, British Khaki, Olive, and Espresso. Best of all, all four options have been garment dyed, which means that just like your favorite pair of jeans, they’ll pick up some subtle but unmistakable character as you break ‘em in. We love gear with a story to tell, and our hope is that each pair of The Foundation Pant that we ship out eventually ends up with many years of experience etched into its surface.

An environmental flatlay of 4 of the Foundation Pant colorways

At the end of the day, The Foundation Pant encapsulates what Taylor Stitch does best: reimagine timeless styles with Responsible materials, modern fits and rugged construction. There’s a certain nostalgia built into those original military chinos—they were the go-anywhere, do-anything trouser for an entire generation, after all—and we wanted to celebrate that history and revive that reputation with The Foundation Pant. We think we knocked it out of the park, but we’ll leave the final verdict to you.

Shop The Foundation Pants

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