Image: Billy Reid

Though his business has been a labor of love for over a decade, Billy Reid seems to have really burst onto the scene in the past couple of years.  He was named Best New Designer in America in 2010 by CFDA, and on Monday he was named the Menswear Designer of the Year.  Needless to say, it’s been a pretty good couple of years for Mr. Reid.  The best part about the success is that Reid still keeps things simple, which is why we absolutely love the Woody Shorts ($125) in his current collection.

Made in the USA from a summer weight cotton, the Woody Shorts are the perfect choice for those summer days that you just don’t know where you’ll end up.  Available in bamboo (shown), dark grey, stone, and burch, these shorts feature a 7inch inseam, and rear flap pockets.  Of course, the “Menswear Designer of the Year” had to add a few extra touches, and in the case of the Woodys, those touches come in the form of natural horn buttons, an antique brass zipper, and a center tunnel belt loop out back.  It’s always nice to see a designer who understands it is the small touches that make you stand out, not the huge ones.  Well done Mr. Reid, well done.