Five Plus One is our weekly series of buyer’s guides. We pick a specific category and dig up five great options along with one that’s a little outside the norm.
While we love crunchy denim and starchy shirts around here, that doesn’t mean we’re not rocking drawstring shorts for most of the summer. And if one good thing came from the pandemic, it was the embracement of comfy garb into everyday dress. Since lockdown, makers have adapted to this newfound sensibility by making drawstring shorts from all sorts of materials. Score!
Often dubbed ‘Easy Shorts’, drawstring shorts made from robust fabrics (as opposed to soft cotton jersey or fleece), are the perfect for all-day-long wear in the warmer months. So whether you’re looking to expand your short collection or simply expand your waistband after eating too much at the family BBQ, this edition of Five Plus One will show you a collection of drawstring shorts in a variety of comfortable summer-ready fabrics.
1) Save Khaki Corduroy Easy Short
Researching for this guide showed that corduroy shorts are certainly popular right now, but Save Khaki‘s stood out as the best option out there right now. Why? Well, they have all the trappings of a serious quality pair whilst being more affordable than other brands, especially considering they’re made in the USA.
Coming in a slim fit that hits just above the knee, Save Khaki’s Easy Short made with an elasticated, drawstring waist, a single back pocket with button closure, and two slash pockets at the front. Each pair is sewn up in natural 16-wale corduroy before being garment dyed for a rugged, vintage aesthetic that looks right at home on the beach.
Available for $120 from STAG.
2) Howlin’ Magic Shorts – Navy Japanese Seersucker
Oh, Howlin’, how we love thee. Leave it to the oh-so-creative Belgian boys to make the crinkliest shorts on this list — the Howlin’ Magic Shorts.
Made in the brand’s homeland, these Magic Shorts are made from a deep navy Japanese seersucker, complete with the bumpy texture you want from a decent seersucker fabric. Just look at the close-up over at Lost & Found. That’s some seerious-sucker. Coming in a regular fit and inseam length, it’s the contrast stitching and drawstrings that makes these pop.
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Available at Lost & Found for $146.
3) Freenote Cloth Deck Short – Khaki Canvas
The Freenote Cloth Deck Short is a mainstay for the brand and it’s not hard to see why. They’re rugged yet refined, with a slim-to-regular fit and an average inseam length, and come in a range of fabrics each year.
Out of the Freenote Deck Shorts on offer this year, we’re shortlisting this particularly rugged pair made from 10 oz. Japanese cotton canvas. Each pair is made in the USA with dual rounded patch pockets on the front, a flap and welt pocket on the rear, and an elasticated waistband complete with a Japanese cotton drawstring. The finished short is then rinsed, which not only removes shrinkage but also softens and slightly fades the aforementioned canvas.
Available at Manready Mercantile for $160.
4) Post O’Alls E-Z Travail Short
Post Overalls‘ E-Z Travail Short is a masterful blend of military and sportswear styles that results in a unique option exclusive to the Japanese label.
Available in two variants of indigo-dyed sheeting fabric (the lighter of which is comprised of 45% linen and 55% cotton), the E-Z Travail Short offers fade-potential as well as style. They’re super comfortable, too, with the sheeting fabric being soft and drapey, and the adjustable waistband keeping things easy and forgiving.
Each pair is made in Japan and comes with dual patch pockets and coin pocket up front, a singular rear patch pocket, and tonal drawstrings.
Available at Lost & Found for $220.
5) 3sixteen Drawstring Shorts
If you’re buying adjustable shorts, I’m going to guess that comfort is high on your list of priorities. Heavy twill fabrics, like denim, can be rigid and less suitable for summer wear, but 3sixteen has hacked this by giving their Twill Drawstring Shorts a light stonewash to soften up the heavyweight Japanese cotton twill they’re made from. It also puckers up the seams and waistband, giving a vintage look.
Balancing comfort, durability, and style, the 3sixteen drawstring short is a banger of a staple. Made in India, they’re available in woodland camo and olive variants of heavyweight Japanese twill, and come with an elasticated drawstring waist. Short and subtle pleats below the front waistband articulate the otherwise roomy fit, while two large rear patch pockets ensure your wallet and phone have some place to hide.
Available for $198 from Franklin & Poe.
Plus One – 12 oz. Magpie Denim W-Knee EASY Shorts
Kapital have been rocking with feather designs on their garments for a while, but their 12 oz. Magpie Denim W-Knee Easy Short is one of the most interesting applications to date.
Taking cues from the brand’s ‘Lumber Pants‘, The W-Knee Easy Short is a double-knee/easy short hybrid, with feather-laden Magpie Denim turning weirdo levels up a notch. There’s something charming about the blending of such a utilitarian style with this frivolously feathery fabric, which is emphasized by the frayed raw edge on the double knee panel which hangs over the finished hem underneath. This is Kapital in full effect.
Available at Blue in Green for $474.
