Wax London built a following by finding interesting fabric before worrying about everything else. The Kurt shorts are their argument that the same logic applies to something as straightforward as a black linen short.
The Verdict
At $150, these are a reasonable buy for anyone who wants a clean, easy linen short that doesn't announce itself. They're not exceptional construction, but the fabric does what it's supposed to, and the fit stays out of the way.
The Make
The fabric is 100% washed linen, made in Turkey, and the washing process is doing real work here. Linen in its unwashed state can feel stiff enough to sand furniture. This doesn't. The hand is softened from the start, which means less of that two-week break-in period that makes raw linen a project rather than a purchase. You're not getting a heavy, structural linen, which is fine for summer shorts and a reasonable trade for comfort.
Construction is functional rather than considered. The waistband is fully elasticated with an internal drawcord, which keeps the fit adjustable but does mean you're not getting a proper flat waistband with belt loops. There's a single front button visible at the placket. For $150, it's adequate. You're not buying this for the construction, you're buying it for the fabric and the shape.
The Fit
Relaxed cut, regular length, true to size across a range of 28 to 38. Wax London's relaxed fit here reads as genuinely loose rather than fashionably oversized. That works well if you're buying a linen short for actual warm weather use. It won't suit someone who prefers a trimmer leg, and the elasticated waist means the waistband won't sit with the same crispness as a structured alternative. Wash at 30°C, skip the tumble dryer.
The Context
Wax London sits in a bracket of fabric-focused British labels that have gotten serious attention in the last few years, brands like Oliver Spencer and Corridor, where the starting point is texture and colour rather than silhouette minimalism. Among those, Wax London tends to be the most accessible on price. At $150, the Kurt competes with linen shorts from Sunspel and Alex Mill, both of which offer more structured construction but similar fabric weights. The Kurt wins on softness from day one. It loses on build if that matters to you.
This is a solid pick for travel, hot-weather weekends, or anyone who finds linen's reputation for looking disheveled to be a feature rather than a flaw. The elasticated waist will work against you in smarter contexts.
The Personal Note
I haven't owned these, so take this as data rather than testimony. The fabric and price point make a reasonable case on paper. The construction is where Wax London is asking you to accept the tier. If your linen shorts need to hold up as a smart-casual option, look at Sunspel. If you want something that's comfortable from the first wear and doesn't require ironing to earn its keep, these are probably fine.
