The Real McCoy’s BELTED SHORTS / COTTON-HEMP are inspired by athletic shorts from the 1940s. While such shorts were traditionally made from cotton drill, we’ve crafted ours using a lightweight and breathable cotton-hemp fabric for enhanced comfort and durability.

These shorts, also known as camp shorts, feature a belted waist and pleated design, reflecting styles commonly used by both military and civilian institutions of the era. Similar designs were issued to the Marine Corps and Navy for physical training and were also worn at civilian universities repurposed as Navy pilot training centers during World War II. The belted waist remained a practical standard until the 1960s, offering a secure and adjustable fit, although elasticated waistbands became more common after the war.