THE JOURNAL
3 MINUTE READ
Well, Why Aren’t You Wearing Drawstring Trousers?
Words by Mr Ashley Clarke
13 October 2020
Don’t own a pair of drawstring trousers? Shame on you. Now is the time to take advantage of one of menswear’s most intelligent garments. At their most formal, a pair of drawstring trousers can look positively elegant, marrying the smartness of suit trousers with the ease of sweatpants. They come in plenty of styles, from dapper to sporty. And if you haven’t yet packed your wardrobe full of them, we think it’s high time you do. To help you out on the journey to building a well-rounded collection of drawstring trousers (what else can a man ask for in life?), we’ve picked out five of our favourites below.
01.
The grungy option
Rick Owens’ dark and gothic designs will not please everyone. But for those who appreciate what the designer does, Mr Owens is perceived as a veritable fashion god. These cropped drawstring trousers are a perfect example of his taste and expertise. Accented with shell patches across the pockets, they’re both moody and refined. In other words, what your modern, fashion-forward vampire might wear.
02.
The continental classic
Beams F excels in making reliably stylish clothes that are timeless in design, thanks to the trifecta of influences it takes from the US, Europe, and its native Japan. Indeed, these linen trousers would suit either an Ivy League prodigy or a Florentine lothario. Which one are you?
03.
The vital organ reference
Favoured by hip-hop royalty (no really – there’s not a modern rap star you could name who hasn’t worn a pair), 99%IS’s shell Gobchang pants come from the mind of the breakout Korean designer Bajowoo. The kohl-sporting trendsetter based these trousers on Gopchang, a popular dish in Korean cuisine which consists of… intestines. Now, imagine the trousers in red. Can you spot the resemblance? Yup.
04.
The secret weapon
These tuxedo trousers might be from our in-house brand, Mr P., so we may be biased, but we think they’re pretty genius. That’s because the drawstring is – wait for it – hidden! So, while these might look like a spiffing pair of wool tuxedo trousers, they’re also just as comfortable as pyjama bottoms, thanks to the adjustable drawstring in the waistband. In other words, the perfect thing to wear when stuffing yourself at a dinner party.
05.
The chilled-out pair
With a satisfyingly wide silhouette, these wool trousers from Maison Margiela sit at the perfect intersection between baggy and smart. Like a pair of overworked pinstriped suit trousers that have had enough of the rat race and are taking some time to relax at last. They’ll pair nicely with a white T-shirt or Oxford shirt. Just keep it minimal and you’ll not go far wrong.
