6 Best Drawstring Shorts for Men: Casual Yet Stylish in 2024

If I’m going to convince you of one thing in this article, it’s that the best drawstring shorts for men can look just as sharp as any other kind of shorts. These days, they aren’t just sweatpants that have been cut off at the knee.

In fact, I’d go so far as to say that drawstring shorts are part of the post-pandemic emphasis on comfort that even the most “high-fashion” and “luxurious” brands are paying attention to. We like to be comfortable and, especially during the hot summer months, there aren’t a lot of options that will beat a pair of drawstring shorts.

I’m going to go over six of the best drawstring shorts for men in this article. Many of these shorts feature classy designs and are made from high-quality materials, meaning that you can feel well-dressed whether you’re wearing them in your home or out in the world.

Let’s get started with the recommendations.

Key Takeaways

I don’t mind admitting that I’ve got a drawer in my dresser that’s almost exclusively for my (growing) collection of drawstring shorts. I just feel great wearing them, what can I say? Another benefit of having tried out so many different types of drawstring shorts is that it’s really helped me put this list together.

My top recommendation for the best drawstring shorts for men is the Aurélien Seaside Shorts. These form-fitting yet comfortable shorts will look and feel like an upgrade on whatever linen shorts you currently have in your wardrobe.

I’ve also included a more homey option, the CDLP Home Shorts, which are made from a Lyocell weave. You’ll also find a great luxury option, The Resort Co Linen Drawstring Shorts, that are great for when you really want to impress.

Why they’re great: These 100% linen drawstring shorts from Aurélien set a high bar for the rest of the items on this list. And I mean that both in terms of the quality materials and the simple yet classy design. The Seaside Shorts come in 7 colors, so you can definitely find a pair that you really love.

Who are they for? These are a pair of drawstring shorts that you can wear anywhere and with anything.

Flaws but not deal-breakers: They’re a little more sleek and form-fitting than most of the other drawstring shorts we’re featuring here. Some people might like a looser fit.

Material: 100% Linen | Sizes Available: S–2XL | Colors Available: 7 | Inseam: 6 inch | Care: Machine wash

Why they’re great: The Irish linen that these shorts are made from is one of the factors that help them rise to the level of luxury. There’s also the refined colors it comes in and the fact that the fit is so relaxed that you can’t help feeling like you’re on top of the world while you’re wearing them.

Who are they for? If you’ve got a little bit of extra space in your clothes budget, then this isn’t going to be a purchase that you regret.

Flaws but not deal-breakers: These are among the best drawstring shorts for men. All the same, it’s important to be aware that these shorts are on the shorter side.

Material: 100% Irish Linen | Sizes Available: XS–2XL | Colors Available: 1 | Inseam: 5 inch | Care: Machine wash

Why they’re great: These are some of my favorite shorts for wearing around the house, whether I’m lounging around or doing something a little more active. I really like the slightly shiny black color of the shorts, which reminds me quite a bit of the shorts that boxers wear in the ring.

Who are they for? These are some of the best drawstring shorts for men. I don’t really think there’s too much of a limitation in terms of who these shorts are for. Just about everyone I know could wear them.

Flaws but not deal-breakers: There’s no external drawstring with these, which helps them look a bit cleaner but does limit how adjustable they are.

Material: 100% Tencel™ lyocell | Sizes Available: 44–54 | Colors Available: 1 | Inseam: 6 inch | Care: Machine wash

Why they’re great: And, next we have the L’Estrange The 12 Shorts. These cotton drawstring shorts are a great option for getting outdoors as a result of their tough material and simple look.

Who are they for? These shorts come in both 5 inch and 7 inch inseam lengths, which means that you can choose the look that you think will work best with your body.

Flaws but not deal-breakers: The internal drawstring helps keep these shorts looking sleek and clean, but some people don’t like how internal drawstrings feel.

Material: 98% Cotton, 2% Elastane | Sizes Available: XS–XL | Colors Available: 6 (including 3 limited colors) | Inseam: 5 inch or 7 inch | Care: Machine wash

Why they’re great: These affordable yet supremely functional drawstring shorts boast a ton of versatility. The cotton and elastane blend they’re made of is exceptionally tough, making The JMIERR Mens Casual Shorts a great choice for anyone who wants to look great while exercising.

Who are they for? If you’re looking for your next pair of tennis or running shorts, then this is a great pick for you. They’re among the best drawstring shorts for men you can find.

Flaws but not deal-breakers: The 9-inch inseam might be a little bit longer than some people are looking for, but others prefer their shorts to be on the longer side.

Material: 94% Cotton, 6% Elastane | Sizes Available: S– 5XL | Colors Available: 25 | Inseam: 9 inch | Care: Machine wash

Why they’re great: The PLEPAN Casual Corduroy Drawstring Shorts do bring something unique to the party as a result of their material. The lightweight corduroy is incredibly comfortable in a more cozy way than a lot of the other options on this list.

Who are they for? I’d say that these are a great pair of around the home shorts that really come into their own when the weather is warm but not hot.

Flaws but not deal-breakers: These are a polyester product, but they don’t really feel like it. The shorts have a 4.3 out of 5 star rating for a reason.

Material: 100% Polyester| Sizes Available: S–3XL | Colors Available: 15 | Inseam: 8  inch | Care: Machine wash

Buying Considerations for the Best Drawstring Shorts for Men

Material

The entries on this list of the best drawstring shorts for men are made from several different materials. This makes a lot of sense because drawstring shorts aren’t really the type of product that requires a certain type of material.

Which material you should go for really depends on what you like wearing the most, since these shorts are meant to be comfortable. You can also consider where you plan to wear the shorts and opt for a more classy material like linen if you want to wear them to places where you have to look a bit dressed up.

Color

And, in a similar vein to the last buying consideration, this type of shorts come in a huge variety of colors and patterns. Most of the options on the list come in a variety of different colors, meaning that you’ll be able to find a look you really love if you shop around a little bit.

Again, this consideration is a matter of taste rather than anything objective, so my only advice is to find an option that you can really see yourself vibing in.

Size

One thing that can be a little bit complicated when you’re buying drawstring shorts is the size. Luckily, you do have quite a bit of wiggle room because the elasticity of the drawstring waistbands will help lots of different shorts fit you, but you’ve still got to get close.

Some manufacturers will list their products as small, medium, large, etc., while others use the same sizing as pants. I’d recommend reading the sizing guide for whatever specific product you’re considering because this will give you the best possible advice.

How We Chose

Men’s drawstring shorts are very trendy right now. But that means that there are a ton of options out there, many of which claim to be the best drawstring shorts for men. You want to make sure that your new men’s drawstring shorts live up to the expectations.

That’s why we were careful to recommend only products made with top-quality materials that feature innovative and interesting designs. We also, as always, looked at each product through the following four metrics:

Brand Reputation: We exclusively recommend brands that have a long track record in creating excellent products.

Customer Reviews: We ensure that each and every product we recommend has stellar reviews from actual customers backing it up.

Price: We aren’t the type of people to buy clothes just because they’re expensive, so we always look for products that offer great value for your money.

Transparency: We ensure that the brands we include on lists like these are up front and transparent about important matters like the origin of their materials and their shipping and return policies.

Why Trust Us?

We FashionBean editors all started getting into drawstring shorts a couple of years ago, which means that we have a lot of experience with the comfort they bring and how to style casual shorts like these.

After taking a look at all the drawstring shorts that we actually own and researching hundreds of new options, we had quite a hard time narrowing the list down to just 6 options. But, a couple of hours of arguing later, we’re really happy with the picks we made.

With a process like that, you can be sure that all six of these drawstring shorts for men are winners.

Final Verdict 

At the end of the day, the Aurélien Seaside Shorts are the best drawstring shorts for men, in my (humble) opinion. The soft and breathable linen they’re made from is top-class, and they’re stylish enough to wear anywhere. But we love all the other pairs of shorts, too.

Whether you’re planning on wearing your new shorts with a T-shirt or dressing up and wearing them with a T-shirt and blazer, we’re sure that there’s an option on the list for you.