Guys’ Shorts Are Going to Great Lengths to Be Fashionable

Call them judo pants, cropped pants, clam diggers, even high waters. Just don’t call them capris and guys will buy them.

From the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica to Pasadena’s Old Town to the Block in Orange, young men are showing up in pants that are longer than shorts but shorter than trousers, looks inspired by skateboard and in-line skating fashions.

Oh, the lengths guys will go to just to be in style--or cover their knees.

“I like them because they’re different. They’re not shorts, and they’re not pants. They’re in between,” said Tae Ko, 28, consultant for Price Waterhouse Coopers, who was wearing cropped pants at the Promenade earlier this week.

The fashion savvy are topping their pants with simple T-shirts, cotton sweaters or Hawaiian and other casual shirts. Most are forgoing socks and opting for slides, flip-flops and sandals. And those in tennis shoes wear ankle socks.

Stores are being deluged by guys asking for the pants, which range from $20 to $200 plus, pointing to their legs to indicate different lengths; at the knee, mid-calf and just above the ankle.

Nordstrom had to reorder the T. Walko brand pants within two weeks after getting them into stores. Diesel, a maker of urban wear, has already sold half of its stock. At the French Connection chain, cropped pants rank No. 24 among its top 40 bestselling lines.

“It’s a new style. It’s cool and perfect for the beach,” said Danny Gonzalez, 18, a student at Valencia High School. “It looks slicker and longer. Plus, I don’t have to wear socks.”

The cropped pants hit the runway two years ago, but designers said the style has been a hard sell until now.

“Guys are more acceptable to fashion now,” said Tom Walko, a New York men’s sportswear designer who also credits the Internet for igniting such trends.

Now, these shortened pants have reached mass merchandisers like the Gap.

Before the cropped craze, guys used to buy the longest possible shorts or chop off long pants, according to Brooke Robinson, 19, a sales assistant at the Rag Factory in Santa Monica. “Now it’s official,” she said. Now guys can buy pants deliberately cut that way.

The trend has even gone vintage. Kime Buzzelli, a buyer at Wasteland on Melrose Avenue, said young men have been buying plaid pants and fashioning them into the shorter styles.

Some women are buying the pants for guys who hate to shop. Julie Warner, a 23-year-old merchandise manager at the French Connection store in Santa Monica bought a pair for her boyfriend.

“I think they look great,” she said, adding, “It definitely takes a lot more confidence to wear this.”

The pants appeal mostly to 18- to 24-year-olds, but the trend is crossing oceans. Andre Kunkel, a 27-year-old musical instrument salesman visiting from Germany, was dressed in olive ankle length pants while shopping for vintage guitars.

Older guys, like 47-year-old Claude Ziebarth, like the shorter pants too.

“I like them because they’re cool,” said the Promenade street musician. “They’re better than the full length, and it gives me more breathing room. I don’t have to worry about dragging and rolling up my pants.”

Still, many guys are spooked by the look they say is too feminine.

“It’s definitely a girl thing,” said Ladis Sanchez, 21, a Cal State Northridge junior. “Three-quarters don’t belong on guys,” he said.