/ Five Plus One /

Drawstring Easy Shorts

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.

Available for $146 at Lost & Found.

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 for $160 at Manready Mercantile.

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 for $220 at Lost & Found.

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 for $474 at Blue in Green.

/ New Releases /

Nail Campsite Coffee with Snow Peak’s Titanium French Press

When it comes to brewing (proper) coffee, the French Press is undoubtedly the most convenient method. Also known as the Cafetiere, the French Press is an easy ride due to its built-in filter that negates the need for paper filters during the brew. It also makes a great cup of coffee when used correctly.

Made from Japanese Titanium, this concrete-cafetiere can withstand being slung in your pack every day and being dropped from time to time, all whilst looking pretty in a minimalistic build typical of Snow Peak. In true camping spirit, the handles fold away for easier packing, and the internal press is made from stainless steel so it won’t get stained by your mediocre-at-best campsite dishwashing.

Available for $65 at Hatchet Outdoor Supply.

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Franklin & Poe Maintains Wesco Partnership with Collaborative 8″ Jobmaster Boot

To master any job, it doesn’t hurt to have some Jobmasters right? Marking their latest collaboration with Wesco, Franklin & Poe drop a special Jobmaster boot ready to support you on your feet at the job site, in the office at your desk, and most importantly online in the fit-pic forums.

Made from a robust Burgundy Domain leather, the darker color brings a new shade to the lineman conversation, welcoming some rich patina after cranking up the mileage. Featuring all the incredibly thoughtful details that tie together a special boot, like brass hardware and expert stitchwork, the lace-to-toe design and Super Grip sole help cement this collaboration as a boot for the ages. They’re stomping in at an 8″ height, so make sure you have some socks that are up to the challenge and, of course, your favorite pair of denim, khakis, or fatigues on deck. And if you get the urge to give the hem an extra roll to show off these bad boys, just know it’s not you, it’s a by-product of buying a pair of footwear you’re seriously proud of.

Available for $685 from Franklin & Poe.

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Buzz Rickson’s Issues Utility Shorts in Mitchell Pattern Camo

It’s hard to translate our love for camouflage into the warmer months with shirts, pants, and jackets forever leading the camo charge. Luckily we can breathe a sigh of relief and let our legs do the same, thanks to Buzz Rickson’s Mitchell Pattern Camouflage Shorts (Civilian Model).

Modeled after a period utility pant (OG-107), functionally, these shorts are just like the real deal, featuring patch front pockets, cargo back pockets, adjustable waist tabs, and a button fly. However, the main attraction is the weird-looking leaf pile camo. Well turns out, this is a pile you’ll want to jump into as original examples of this fabric are quite rare, making this repro an IYKYK flex that also looks freaking cool to the uninformed (not nerds).

Available for $151 from Hinoya.

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