Before it started raining the other night, things were feeling summery up here in Seattle. It even got up to 94 degrees at the beginning of the month which, in the Pacific Northwest, practically calls for a heat advisory*. When the weather is that warm, it can be a challenge to find right kind of clothing. My default jeans and t-shirt start to feel oppressive when it hits 90 and I haven’t gone shirtless (unless I was swimming) since I was about twelve. Lucky for me, I’ve had the Beckett Short Sleeve Shirt and the Transporter Pants from Hornytoad to help keep me cool this summer. Not only are they incredibly comfortable, but they look good too, although I tend not to wear them at the same time (nobody wants to look like just they stepped out of a catalog).
The Beckett Short Sleeve Shirt is the perfect shirt for summer. Casual enough for a barbecue, stylish enough for just about anything else. Made from an organic cotton and spandex weave, it is lightweight without feeling flimsy. For me, it is up there with a linen shirt in terms of weight and comfort in the heat. The big plus is that it’s not linen and therefore not so “delicate”. It packs down small, doesn’t wrinkle (a plus, if you come from the ball it up and stuff it in school of packing) and dries quickly. All of this makes this shirt an excellent choice for the summer or for any trip to a warmer climate. I found that it fits true to size, although it is cut a little trim. So, if you’re prone to flexing Hulk Hogan style, it might feel a little tight across the back.
As far as The Transporter Pants go, they have been my go to substitute for denim all summer. They are lightweight, but sturdy enough to stand in for my favorite pair of jeans and they are comfortable. I mean, like mid afternoon nap comfortable. Made from a blend of organic cotton, polyester and a little spandex, these pants pack easily, dry quickly (as far as pants go) and travel well. Horny Toad has even included a hidden zipper pocket for a little added security. And, as an additional bonus, the pants come with an internal drawcord. Perfect for those times in the TSA line when your belt is in your hands instead of around your waist.
When I first tried these pants on I found the cut of the front pockets to be a little odd. The outside edge of the pocket follows the side seam, which gives them a straight, vertical orientation. But, after wearing them a few times I don’t even notice it anymore. The only real issue I had was that they come in limited sizes (30 or 32 inch length and strictly even sizes for the waist 30, 32, 34 etc.). I tend to wear a 33 inch waist. In this case I ordered a 34, counting on the merits of the drawstring rather than on the merits of any diet or “summer exercise program”. It proved to be a good choice for me. They might be a little baggier than if I had gone with the 32s but that only adds to the comfort.
The good
- comfortable
- lightweight
- stylish
The bad
- pants only come in even sizes but some people are odd
On sale now at Horny Toad
Beckett Short Sleeve Shirt $45.99
*The more you know: The general criteria for a heat advisory is when the heat index is above 105° but less than 115° for less than three hours during the day or if nighttime temperatures do not dip below 80° for two consecutive nights. Local offices of the National Weather Service can establish their own criteria specific to their region, particularly if the region does not normally experience excessive heat.
Boring stuff: Horny Toad provided me with free review samples. This in no way effected the opinions of my review. All images via the Horny Toad website.