Wear it Well: 3 Ways to Wear Drawstring Shorts
the perfect meeting between casual comfort and summer cool
By Gabi Meyers
While the beginning of summer doesn’t *actually* happen until the 21st, I think we are all in agreement when June 1st means it’s time to go into summer mode. There’s no single clothing item more quintessentially summer than your favorite pair of shorts, and we may have a new contender for that title.
Enter, the drawstring short.
Casual, comfortable and easily convertible for many occasions, the drawstring short feels like sweatpants, without being quite as sloppy.
Below, 3 ways to wear the drawstring short:
COOKOUT
Shorts: Katin, $50 | Shirt: River Island, $56 | Shoes: Bass, $79
Sunglasses: Oliver Spencer, $168 | Bracelet: Miansai, $65
Wear it Well: Roll the hem on the shorts, and make sure you spill the BBQ sauce on the dark part of the patterned shirt. Don’t forget suede protector on the shoes!
CHILL SESH
Shorts: Obey, $59 | Tee: Deus Ex Machina, $44 | Shoes: Vans, $55 | Sunglasses: Ray-Ban, $210
Wear it Well: Pull the socks all the way up.
CASUAL FRIDAY
Shorts: La Panoplie, $105 | Shirt: Calvin Klein, $35 | Sweater: J. Crew, $112
Shoes: Johnston & Murphy, $155 | Watch: Fossil, $115
Wear it Well: leave the shirt tails out – the sweater will add enough polish to let the shirt hang out.
Tell Me:
Where would your drawstring shorts get the most wear?
Want to know how to wear more clothes more than one way? How to wear the nautical look and the color purple.
The cookout and casual Friday shoes look like they would have to have socks… and that seems like it would ruin the vibe of the combinations. No-show socks?
I’m a big fan of no-show socks, David. I love the sockless look on guys, but I know it’s not the most comfortable thing in the world! I like these by UnderArmour: http://bit.ly/1JjVH9Q
Uniqlo has these nice and thin no-shoe socks that have rubber on the heel so they don’t slip and are also cut closer to the toes where they don’t even show when wearing loafers (a problem I’ve encountered with other no show socks whose top rises further to the ankle). They’re never on their website, but whenever I fly to their store in San Francisco I find myself buying a few pair. At $2-3 a pair they’re pretty inexpensive.
I have a very hard time walking out of Uniqlo without buying anything 🙂
Me too. I bought 3 solid tees from there last night. They just fit so well and the material is pretty much sweat-proof. I highly recommend them, especially for guys who could do without the pit stains. Haha.
My office doesn’t go as casual as shorts on Fridays, but that Casual Friday look is awesome. Swap the sweater for a lightweight blazer and you’ve got one of my go-to summer looks – especially perfect for summer date nights because you can still offer your jacket like a gentleman if it gets a bit chilly.
I just got 2 pairs of drawstring chino shorts, one khaki and one navy, and I’m looking for at least one more in the right color/print to add to the summer capsule wardrobe I’ve built.
So true – you do blazers and shorts like a champ, Enrique!
Is Wisconsin in the house? Without a doubt. Dare I say it Kohl’s got me again. I’ve gotten a few compliments on these. The pics don’t really do the gray ones justice because there are some nice details around the pockets and they are super comfortable. I think they go great with any bright summer tee. I’ve gone with bright blue, teal, and pink so far.
http://mobile.kohls.com/product/prd-1926110/sonoma-life-style-french-terry-shorts-big-tall.jsp?ci_mcc=ci&utm_campaign=B%26T%20MODERNC%26CONTEMP&utm_medium=CSE&utm_source=google&utm_product=98413358&CID=shopping15&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=98413358&gclid=CMe0yYLg7sUCFdCQHwodn4wAiA&dclid=CNe73oLg7sUCFZZGNwod6nMAlA
By the way, I always like the Bass shoes/styles recommended, but have yet to pick up a pair. Anyone else have an opinion on them? Love the shorts in the “Casual Friday” outfit too.
I don;t know, maybe its me but I just can’t do a drawstring waist anywhere but the gym or on the beach for a bathing suit. I don’t like the way a drawstring looks if its hanging below the hemline of my shirt and not crazy about the fit since they’re trying to fit a range. Though I do like the flamingo Vans and the River Island shirt you’re highlighting here.
Couldn’t agree more. Seems like every one of those outfits would look much nicer with a light/web belt on the shorts.
Look number two also reminds me of someone trying to summarize ‘SoCal style’ from a bad movie. Unless you’ve time travelled from the 80’s, don’t wear mid-shin high socks. It’s like Doc Brown dressing Marty McFly as a cowboy.
While I like look number three, long sleeve shirt, sweater, leather shoes, but drawstring shorts? Roll the sleeves up during the day, roll them back down when the sun drops; no need for the sweater. And suede, not leather, for the shoes. (although, I’m totally going to scoop a pair of those J&M dub-monks Meg, thanks!!)
Hey, you can’t win over everybody with every look, right? Glad you found some inspiration with those Johnston & Murphy shoes, Matt!
🙂
I love belts too much to convert to drawstrings on anything other then board shorts, however! Those shorts by La Panoplie are fantastic…might make me rethink my decision!