Maybe you’ve noticed something in the menswear world across the past decade or so. Styles are more casual than business, the lines are blurring, and pieces (and fabrics) you might more commonly associate with the gym are crossing over into everyday wear.
You could call it “athleisure” or more likely, “performance menswear,” and there are a few brands who step things up beyond typical athletic staples to craft an everyday wardrobe. In our mind, Olivers Apparel does that as well as any brand on the market.
From athletic shorts (the kind you can actually wear to work out) right through to stylish stretch chino pants and super-soft tees, Olivers toes the line between performance and style nicely. So if you aren’t familiar with the brand yet, take a quick minute to read this review (and brand overview) of Olivers Apparel.
What Exactly Is Olivers Apparel, and are they Worth It?
Unlike some other modern performance menswear brands, Olivers Apparel has quite the pedigree and family history behind it, at least as far as founder David Wolfe is concerned.
A family of immigrants, Wolfe’s relatives, including his great-grandmother, ran menswear shops and sold clothing across the United States.
While Olivers Apparel pieces are much more modern than clothes of the 1900s, it’s an interesting bit of history menswear aficionados new and old can appreciate.
The company as we know it today launched in 2013, right at the start of the “athleisure” boom, in Los Angeles.
Be it the pandemic or more casual dress codes, Olivers Apparel’s gear is certainly worthy of consideration in a laid-back, everyday wardrobe these days, whether you need stretch pants for the open road or performance shorts for the gym and days at home.
These are a few of our favorite, EG-approved picks from the brand.
What to Buy From Olivers Apparel
The All Over Shorts
A better style of workout short is the very definition of the Olivers All Over Shorts—these are a major step up from more standard athletic shorts from a major brand.
Whether you're out for a brisk trail run or swinging kettlebells, our versatile All Over Short was designed with one thing in mind: Performance.
The moisture-wicking, water-repellent fabric provides an all-purpose functionality, from the trail to the gym and yes, even days at home (take it from this menswear writer—I’m a big fan of my pair).
They’re priced at a premium $78, but that extra investment is certainly worth it. The fit is ideal for ease of movement through workouts and park hikes, and the 7.5-inch inseam is neither too short (like running shorts, for instance), nor too baggy.
I’ve worn mine around the house, out to a park on hot summer days, and out on the trail without missing a beat.
There’s a wide range of colors, 12 to be exact, which accommodates an equally wide range of personal styles. If you’ve ever tried Vuori’s Kore Shorts, these are quite similar in that you can wear them to work out or in more casual situations as well.
While these aren’t as polished or wearable in as many situations as chino shorts, you can certainly rock these around town more casually with a great tee and canvas sneakers, especially in a neutral color like black.
The charter short
At the other end of the spectrum from the workout-minded All Over Shorts rests the Charter Shorts.
The classic chino fit you know and love with a modern, functional update. Made with a Japanese twill cotton that has excellent stretch and recovery – get moving.
While the All Over Shorts are best suited for more active pursuits, the Charter Shorts check all the right boxes if you want a set of modern chino shorts made from a standout fabric blend.
The design mimics that of cotton chino shorts, but the stretch cotton twill fabric goes above and beyond a typical pair made from 100 percent cotton. The stretch fabric helps these shorts move with ease without losing their shape.
They’re a slight step up in price from the All Over Shorts at $88, and you might readily compare them to, say, the Flint and Tinder 365 Shorts, which are stretch shorts available in classic colors with an agreeable, modern fit.
Think of these like your go-to everyday shorts to style with a breezy lightweight polo and loafers or a pocket tee and crisp white leather sneakers. Four timeless color options deliver solid styling potential with bold patterns throughout your wardrobe, too.
Other Olivers Apparel Favorites to Check Out
The Convoy Tee
In the performance menswear world, right between your workout
The everyday essential in nature's finest performance fabric. Our 100% merino tee has a relaxed fit, and a softness you can sweat in.
It’s made from 100 percent merino that’s moisture-wicking, anti-microbial, stretchy yet able to hold its shape. Plus, it comes in a ton of colors and is wearable in plenty of style situations, whether you choose to layer it beneath a denim jacket or rock it on its own.
The Porter Hoodie
Olivers has a knack for taking basic pieces, like the casual hoodie, and ramping things up in terms of fabrication and quality.
Action-ready for life on the move. This mid-weight layering piece is crafted from sweat-friendly 100% Australian merino wool — nature's finest performance fabric.
The Porter Hoodie features a clean, streamlined design (note the lack of hood drawstrings, for instance) and comes in that ever-crucial 100 percent Australian merino wool design. It’s your new favorite hoodie, seriously upgraded.
The Passage Pants
If you’re a fan of performance stretch shorts with a clean fit, and want that same look and feel from your pants, look no further than the Passage Pants.
4-way stretch. Durable CORDURA threads. Think: your favorite jeans, updated for everyday performance.
The design plays off classic five-pocket pants, but the four-way stretch fabric has been amped up with tough CORDURA fibers. Style these with an Olivers tee for soft, comfortable, go-anywhere versatility.
So, Should You Shop Olivers Apparel?
If you haven’t caught on by now, Olivers Apparel is very much a brand worth shopping if you crave that delicate balance between go-anywhere performance and go-anywhere style.
Stretch fabrics are useful in plenty of situations out on the road, around town on hot days or in the office – where comfort and style can go a long way.
And the brand’s active-minded shorts and T-shirts can do more than just power you through a workout: They can serve as daily essentials when layered and worn the right way, be it the Olivers Apparel Passage Pants or the essential, comfortable-as-heck Convoy Tee.
The range of color options and fits provides something for everyone, no matter your preference, while price points are premium, but worth it all the same.
Go beyond classic fabrics and join the world of modern performance menswear with Olivers Apparel, we here at Effortless Gent say.
Have you tried Olivers Apparel? Which of the pieces above are you most excited to add to your closet?
Let us know your thoughts! Feel free to DM us on Instagram anytime!
While this review is NOT sponsored, a sample product was provided to EG free of charge. We were not obligated to review it on the site, let alone leave a positive review, in exchange for a sample. Our opinions are honest and based off actual experiences with the product. We may be using affiliate links. If you purchase using our links, we do earn a small percentage (at no extra cost to you). Your purchase helps support Effortless Gent, so thank you 🙂
