Illustration by Chandler Bondurant
There is a time for knotting up a tie and dressing in your best bespoke suit. And there is also a time—particularly if a sofa, a body of water, or a long-haul flight is involved—when a pair of drawstring shorts will do just fine.
The drawstring short, so-called because of its forgiving elasticated waist that can be cinched with a simple rope closure, is a legacy of the first wave of modern athletic wear that emerged after WWII. Often made from newly discovered fabrics like nylon and polyester, these shorts were intended for physical activity and made with a stretchy, unstructured waistband to fit the greatest array of body types possible.
In the modern era, drawstring shorts have become a convenience, whenever heat makes full-length trousers a hindrance and circumstances deem a defined waistband a bridge too far. But just because they’re built for leisure doesn’t mean they can’t carry a hint of luxury, as the refined versions from Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Brunello Cucinelli, Fedeli and more below ably demonstrate.
Ralph Lauren Purple Label Hand-Tailored Linen Drawstring Short
Image Credit: Ralph Lauren Purple Label Everything Ralph Lauren Purple Label does is… well, Purple Label, right down to the humble drawstring short. In this instance, it’s been made from a custom-developed Italian linen with a dobby texture and finished with discreet single pleats.
James Perse Fine Cotton Twill Patch Pocket Short
Image Credit: James Perse The drawstring short is very much in James Perse’s wheelhouse, as the LA-based brand has made luxury loungewear its bread-and-butter. Its drawstring shorts are made from cotton twill and distinguished by oversized frontal patch pockets and a single pocket at the rear.
Drake’s Ecru Pin Stripe Cotton Drawstring Shorts
Image Credit: Drake’s As playful as ever, Drake’s chose to make its drawstring shorts from the idiosyncratic choice of a Japanese ecru cotton with a thin brown pinstripe. A higher rise leans into their vintage appeal.
Brunello Cucinelli Hemp and Linen-Blend Drawstring Bermuda Shorts
Image Credit: Brunello Cucinelli Brunello Cucinelli selected a hemp and linen-blend for these drawstring shorts, rendering them breathable yet less wrinkle-prone than pure linen. A higher waistband, longer length, and cuffed hem make them the elasticated equivalent of a dress short.
Fedeli Slim-Fit Cotton-Terry Drawstring Shorts
Image Credit: Fedeli You can argue over where a pair of drawstring shorts will be appropriate dress, but there’s no question that they’re a lock for poolside wear. Fedeli’s maximized their resort appeal by making this pair from a spongy, absorbent cotton-terry blend that will wear like your favorite beach towel.
Imogene + Willie the Lounge Short
Image Credit: Imogene + Willie Embracing its role as a hanging-around-the-house essential, Imogene + Willie has given its lightweight cotton canvas lounge shorts a functional drawstring waistband and a shorter length. The made-in-USA piece also features generously sized front slanted pockets and a single patch pocket at the rear.
Rick Owens Boxer Straight-Leg Cotton-Blend Canvas Drawstring Shorts
Image Credit: Rick Owens There’s a certain “Goth NBA” vibe to Rick’s drawstring shorts, made from an inky black cotton-blend fabric with a loose, straight leg and extra-long drawstrings that extend past the hem.
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