Workwear Shorts

Work Shorts FAQs

What does a “permanent press” finish actually do, and is it better than cotton drill?

Permanent Press Cargo Shorts 4503 are 80% polyester and 20% viscose, treated specifically for easy dirt and stain release, so marks lift out in the wash rather than setting in. The Cotton Drill Utility Shorts 3301 and Cotton Drill Cargo Shorts 3302 go the other way, 311gsm heavyweight cotton, tougher against abrasion but without that stain-release treatment.

Neither is universally better, permanent press suits roles that are messy but not abrasive; heavyweight drill suits roles that chew through fabric.

What makes our painters' contrast shorts different from a standard cargo short?

The Bisley Workwear Painters Contrast Cargo Short BSHC1422 is built from stretch cotton canvas with contrast grey oxford panelling specifically placed in high-abrasion areas, the knees and seat, where painters spend the most time kneeling or leaning against surfaces.

It's a trade-specific reinforcement, not a general-purpose cargo short with a different colourway, so it's worth pointing painting and decorating clients here first rather than a generic cargo style.

What's the difference between a standard cargo pocket and a twin holster tool pocket?

The Duratex Cotton Duck Weave Tradies Cargo Shorts 3336 is built from 285gsm cotton canvas with a twin holster tool pocket, designed to carry two hand tools upright and accessible, not just loose in a cargo pocket.

Compare that to the Cotton Drill Cargo Shorts 3302, which has one large flap pocket for general storage rather than tool-specific holsters. If a client's crew carries pliers, a multitool, or similar on their leg all day, the holster design is the one to point them to.

Why does one of our shorts get marketed as a board short?

The SYZMIK Men’s Streetworx Stretch Work Board Short ZS240 is 140gsm, 90% polyester and 10% elastane, a genuinely lighter and quicker-drying build than the 300gsm-plus cotton drill and canvas shorts elsewhere in this range. It's positioned for warmer conditions and higher movement, not for heavy abrasion resistance, so it suits a different job to the Drill Elastic Drawstring Shorts 3305, which uses a heavier 311gsm cotton drill built to take more wear over comfort in the heat.

What are short shorts workwear shorts?

These are traditional outback shorts which are better suited to the farm and in very hot outdoor jobs. This market is totally dominated by KingGee and some of the popular short shorts include the Kinggee Workcool K17008, KingGee Denim Shorts K07020 and the KingGee Summer shorts K17330.