It’s Cold Out! Here’s Some Very Good Pants:

I once spent a pleasant solo weekend in San Francisco. One night, while enjoying a pint at a poorly-lit joint in The Castro, they were playing old rock and there was an old guy sitting in the corner. He was smoking cigarettes and reading a book. I assumed he was from Berkeley.

But something about him was particularly engaging. Was it the tobacco? No. Only Kate Moss looks good while smoking. It was the pants. Straight leg, fitted, uncontrived. I knew that if I ever hoped to be as intriguing as that man reading a book, smoking cigarettes in a bar at The Castro, I would need a pair of similar trousers. Or at least something close. 

Leave it to the venerated minds in Costa Mesa to save me from my woes. Volcom always gets surf and streetwear right — always have. And their new range of contemporary britches is no different. They’re some wonderful threads. Here are five pairs Stab particularly likes:

Vorta Tapered Lite 5 Pocket
Beige is a great colour. Matches with most everything. That flannel button-up? Favourite white shirt with the stain on the right sleeve? Tie-dye tank top? Sure, all of it. Beige gets the job done. It’s the nine to five threaded warrior. Throw these on and enjoy the chameleon effect. Not to mention, there’s an additional hidden cell phone pocket for your burner.

Vorta Denim
With a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear? Simplest and timeless is best. And what’s more abiding than a trusty pair of jeans? Denim: It’s spectacular and practical, but nonchalant. It has expression, modesty, sex, simplicity — all one hopes for in clothes. Style points here for the slim torso, relaxed rise and straight leg opening.

2X4 Denim
If denim is the result of democracy in fashion, then black denim is the consequence of the vox populi electing a fascist. Or, would it be an artist? A combo of the both? That sounds right. A Salvador Dali type, then. High, functional quality. Wear it to the pub, work, whatever. It has off stitching on the back left pocket, new zipper, indigo dyed threads and signature black and white threading. Not awful.

Solver Twill Denim Pants
If you’re into carrying your entire life around with you everywhere you go: These babies have five different pockets. Car keys, cell phone, receipts, whatever. Throw some sand in there while you’re at it. It’ll probably end up in there eventually anyways.

Kinkade Denim
Life has become immeasurably better since I forced myself to stop taking it seriously. I honestly couldn’t give a pile of dried seaweed if I’m viewed as the most uncool person who ever lived. And these jeans, right here, are your key to a similar freedom. Full-blown, loose fitting clothing freedom reflective of the 90s (oh, here we go), an era that teetered the fine line between irony and eternity. Also, I can personally confirm Noa Deane rocks these on a nearly daily basis. And he’s far cooler than me. Can also do airs much higher. Listen to me: You buy the jeans. Don’t listen to me, and listen to the better surfer: You still buy the jeans.

Like what you see? There’s more here.