The story behind Chino and Gabardine

The story of this fabric is the story of Chino trousers. Its first appearence goes back in the mid 19th century, British officers, in the Indies, dyed a white pant in a blend of spices, creating its characteristic dusty kaki colour.

Chino Trousers gained popularity in the U.S. when Spanish–American War veterans returned from the Philippines with their twill military trousers. As the cloth itself was originally made in China, the trousers were known in Spanish as pantalones chinos (Chinese pants), which became shortened to simply “chinos” in English.

But it was only in the late 50’s and early 60’s that it became a cult pant worn by Kennedy, Steve McQueen and also the uniform of the most important American Highschools. Beginning of the 1980’s, the Chino is back, but now, the fabric used for reproducing it comes from Columbia and it’s name is Superlibertador, more resistant and lasting than before, made of 100% cotton twisted in warp and weft.

It is here that starts the story of our double-twisted gabardine woven in northern Italy. They have reproduced exactly the same with the finest natural yarn, so full of threads that is hard to sew and dye, but only made in that way that it can be as rich as the original. As always, we try to select the best materials for our products. It will become greater and greater as it is worn-in and washed.