Carhartt Work In Progress Off-White Mercer Stripe Denim Shorts

Product Insights & Style Tips

The Carhartt Work In Progress Off-White Mercer Stripe Denim Shorts channel utilitarian cool through a subtly unorthodox lens, fusing workwear grit with off-duty nonchalance. Cut from sturdy 10 oz denim, these shorts serve up a lived-in structure with visible stripes in a graphite and bleached-off-white mix—somewhere between painterly and borrowed-from-the-studio vibes. The tactile weight of the denim gives them a crisp, substantial hand, while the signature Carhartt logo patch on the back seals the shorts’ status in street heritage lore.

Five-pocket styling keeps these practical, and the addition of a hammer loop alongside patch pockets nods to their workwear lineage without skewing costume. They sit at a relaxed mid-rise, the not-too-slouchy fit updated by the hard-wearing fabric—unfussy to slip on, with enough structure to hold shape yet leaving space for movement. Subtle belt loops and straightforward zip fly maintain the classic cut, ready to host anything from a cropped tank to a lightweight knit. Layer up with boxy shirts or soften the utilitarian edge with an oversized linen blazer; these shorts skate easily between studio, café, or rooftop hangs.

Pieces from Carhartt WIP have become a mainstay for those who want form and attitude in equal measure, and these Mercer Stripe shorts are no exception. That industrial edge pairs seamlessly with current nods to reworked workwear on the runways—think Miu Miu’s raw finishes or Jacquemus’ playful spins on uniforms—making them a summer MVP for any wardrobe in the know.