THE JOURNAL

“Who wears short shorts?” A song that has never felt at all relevant has suddenly became my theme tune. And wouldn’t you know it? I wear short shorts!
Prior to this moment, I’ve never really been a shorts guy. You would only catch me wearing shorts on the basketball court or on one of my late evening jogs. Although, if I have to be honest (and I’ll always be honest with you), I did go through a phase, about 10 years ago, during which I would wear shorts out of the house, with one caveat: leggings had to be worn under them. And the result was that I was constantly asked if had cycled to my destination (which, usually, I had not).
For me, there is a time and a place for shorts – particularly those of the gym variety – and that time and place is in the gym. Or possibly on the beach, or in the comfort of your own home where no one can see you.
So, it took some bravery when, at the behest of MR PORTER’s Senior Editor, I was challenged to spend a week incorporating sport shorts into my everyday wear. I even wore them to the office. Would I recommend such an item to you, dear reader? See below and find out for yourself…
01.
The office

My office look was anchored by OSTRYA nylon shorts, which are designed for enjoying the great outdoors, everyday trail runs and longer adventures (ie, not the office). Never in a million years would I think to show up to work in these, and as comfortable as it was to let my legs roam free, I have to be honest: as I was getting dressed at home, it just didn’t feel appropriate. Should I pack a pair of trousers just in case? Should I just turn back and just work from home?
After throwing on the full ensemble, I started to come around, and as I got used to how I looked, the uneasiness faded altogether. Overall, I still felt stylish. Who would’ve thought that classic penny loafers and a striped shirt would complement such a sporty piece?
02.
The hike

This look was the one I was most familiar with. Having grown up in the west coast of Canada, there have always been Gorpcore-inspired pieces in my wardrobe. As years pass, more and more of it has seeped into my everyday wear thanks to brands like ASICS and Salomon, which tempt me each week to further expand my sneaker collection. Who said you can never own too many sneakers? (Shrugs.)
I remember the moment I put on these two-in-one wide-leg shorts – I was hesitant to even try them on, let alone wear them outside of my own home or in front of a camera, permanently captured in time for the whole world to see. Yes, I did mention that leggings under shorts was once my only caveat, however 3/4 length spandex? Nope, not for me.
I took a leap of faith, stepped out of my comfort zone and into a Comfy Outdoor Garments. What can I say, I definitely ate my own words. If I have any advice to anyone out there who is unsure, try this look, you won’t regret it. You’ll end up facing the same question I have now: why can’t this be an everyday look, not reserved for just the mountains? So, next time I’m out to do my weekly grocery shop, you know what I’ll be rocking.
03.
The weekend

Most Saturdays and Sundays, you will catch me in a hoodie, probably oversized – in the colder months, layered with an even bigger coat on top – with a pair of chunky sneakers or classic brogues to match. It’s the look that feels appropriate for a laid-back weekend roaming the city, stopping at a gallery after a late brunch with my lovely girlfriend. But sport shorts at a restaurant? Hmmmm. Maybe only (and I emphasise only) if I’m on holiday and just took a dip in the ocean and needed to suddenly dash back to catch the last call for food.
But hey, cheers to trying something new, and how can you go wrong with a stylish pair of punchy, tie-dye shorts from Reigning Champ? And pairing them with something from Sacai to match. The mix of textures and subtle greys help tone down the blue shorts and calm me down. What better way to chill and enjoy my pancakes, bacon and maple syrup?
As a side note: I conducted this sartorial experiment during the hottest week in British history. And, when it hits 40ºC in the city, I’m left with no other choice but to let things go and show off my legs. Moreover, I had to quickly get over my fear of feeling of the fabric of the train seats against my bare skin.
With all that hesitation aside, the lesson I was reminded of was how important it is to spend some time out of your comfort zone, to try new things and be adventurous. Fashion is a way to communicate to the world each day, and regardless of my scepticism, these looks still helped me feel my best.