Today our long-awaited shorts (by me, anyway) go on sale. They are available in two styles: a clean, smart navy and a casual, garment-washed green.

Although some PS projects have been more involved, this has probably been the longest to completion, beginning three years ago when I finally found a pair of shorts I liked, while travelling in Italy.

In my view, most brands try to put too much style into the cut of their shorts.

They are either surprisingly tapered, which is rarely flattering and often uncomfortable, or they’re big and wide, a traditional cut but again not one which suits many men.

It’s hard enough to find shorts that fit, without resorting to styles that cling to big thighs or drown skinny ones.

The PS short is a nice halfway point. A relatively straight cut, tapering slightly from the waist and ending in 4cm turn-ups.

It’s details like those turn-ups – rather than the cut – that give the shorts their character.

Both styles have two reverse pleats and the turn-ups (or cuffs), while the navy has side adjusters, horn buttons and an extended waistband.

The turn-ups I like because they give a little width and strength to the leg, without trying to do that through the cut. They are also a nice sartorial detail, like the pleats.

I usually don’t wear pleats, but these are shallow, adding only a touch of fullness (helpful with a large seat, like mine) without making the top half bulky.

I’ve tried the shorts on a few friends, and it’s interesting how the pleats help fit a greater range of body shapes – something particularly helpful when buying online.

The two styles are made in the same mid-weight cotton, but the green is garment washed to give it a more casual look.

I find this means they can span a wide range of formalities, from a shirt and loafers to a T-shirt and trainers.

They’re shown above with a grey Friday Polo and canvas trainers, but also (at top, in Naples) with a denim button-down shirt and linen blouson. 

I wouldn’t wear either with a jacket, but the navy in particular can be pretty smart.

Above it is shown with a linen button-down shirt from D’Avino, a Luca Faloni cable-knit cashmere sweater and Edward Green tobacco-suede loafers. 

It might seem odd to show knitwear with shorts, but this is often what British summers are like – even on warm days, it can be cold in the morning and in the evening (as it has been the past two bank-holiday weekends).

I also find the navy works really well with knitwear-like polos, such as the Aspesi I featured recently.

I would usually wear the green style with a belt – certainly if the shirt or T-shirt were tucked in. I haven’t shown them here with a belt just so readers can see the design uninterrupted.

As well as the different style elements on the outside, the navy and green are finished differently inside.

The navy has a shirt-fabric apron around the inside of the waistband, as on tailored trousers, while the green has a self finish and interior pocket.

Both have a coin section inside the right-hand pocket and one rear pocket on the right, fastened with a button.

The shorts were made by Italian factory Rota, who readers will probably be familiar with and make for several other high-end brands.

The make is a good level for ready-to-wear, with great hardware, linings, buttons, and finishing. A machine make, but with a high level of precision.

The shorts are available in four sizes: small, medium, large and extra-large, equivalent to Italian sizes 46, 48, 50 and 52.

Do also remember that we offer free returns if the fit doesn’t work. Contact [email protected] to arrange a return or exchange.

Full measurements are below. As with other pieces, we recommend comparing these to something you already own to get the best idea of fit. I wear medium (48).

In terms of alterations:

• Both shorts can be taken in considerably at the waist, by 5cm (2 inches) at the most. It helps here that there is only one rear pocket, as large alterations won’t push two pockets oddly together. On the green shorts, such a reduction in the waist would also require the rear two belt loops to be taken off, and reduced to one, over the back seam.
• The navy can also be taken out in the waist, by at least 3cm (1.25 inches) as there is considerable inlay there and running down the leg. However, the green cannot be taken out as this would leave lines around the old seam (as they are garment dyed and washed).
• Both shorts can be shortened in length, at least by 5cm (2 inches). The bottom of the leg is obviously smaller than the thigh, but there isn’t much taper at the bottom. At the worst, the leg might need to be narrowed slightly as well. The green pair, however, would require the turn-up to be cut off and machined on higher up, as again there are fade lines at the top and bottom of the turn-up.
• The navy short can be lengthened, by at least 2cm (0.75 inches) by either reducing the size of the turn-up or changing the way the turn-up is made (currently it is folded over, making three layers of material. The folded layer can be reduced.)

Other details:

• The shorts are 100% cotton
• They should be washed cool, at 30 degrees, and hung to dry before ironing.
• Shipping is from the UK
• Price (£175) does not not include VAT, as most PS customers live outside the EU. Taxes are added at checkout.
• Available on the PS shop site here

I’m so excited to have these shorts on offer, given how much I love them and get out of them.

Do let me know if I’ve forgotten anything, or you have any questions.

Thanks

Photography: Jamie Ferguson @jkf_man