Wax London built its reputation on fabric choices most brands wouldn't bother with. These shorts are a reasonable test of whether that reputation holds at $150.
The Verdict
A solid pair of warm-weather shorts for someone who wants the weight and texture of proper linen without fussing over a complicated fit. The price is fair. They are not, however, a travel short.
The Make
The fabric is 100% linen, mid-weight, and garment-washed before it reaches you. That last part matters: the washing process relaxes the weave, softens the hand, and knocks the colour back to something that reads worn-in rather than fresh-off-the-bolt. On linen, this is the right call. Unwashed linen at this price point tends to feel stiff for the first several wears; Wax London skips that break-in period by building it into production.
Construction is straightforward. Fully elasticated waistband with an internal drawcord, single button closure at the front. There are no welt pockets with tight stitching to admire here, no hidden details that justify a closer look. What you get is clean, functional, and consistent with what the brand does across its lineup. Country of origin is not disclosed, though the brand manufactures through what it describes as carefully vetted production partners.
At a make quality score of 6 out of 10, these are competent but not exceptional. The garment-washing is the main construction story.
The Fit
The Kurt cuts relaxed, with a regular length that sits above the knee on most men. It runs true to size across a 28-38 waist range, which covers most bodies without asking you to size up or down. The elasticated waist means a wider margin for error than a cut-and-sewn trouser, though it also removes some of the cleaner drape you'd get from a structured waistband at higher price points. Men who prefer a more tailored silhouette will find the relaxed cut loose without quite feeling intentional.
The Context
At $150, the Kurt sits below Corridor's linen shorts (typically $175-195) and well below anything from Portuguese Flannel or Engineered Garments. It competes most directly with what Officine Générale and folk offer at a similar tier. The washed finish gives it a character edge over generic linen offerings, and the brown colourway reads autumnal enough to extend the shorts season into early September in most climates. Layering potential is real: pull a heavier overshirt over these and they carry the look without fighting it.
Where they fall short is travel. Linen creases, and the garment-washing does not change that. Pack these in a bag and they will emerge looking like you slept on them. If that bothers you, these are not the shorts to bring on a trip.
The Personal Note
I haven't owned these. Based on the research, they're the kind of thing that makes sense if you're buying for a week at a house somewhere warm and plan to unpack them. Less useful if you need shorts that can go from bag to bar without intervention. The price is honest for what they are.
