It’s a Skirt! It’s Shorts! No, It’s the RYÚ Hakama Skort

Fashion is becoming more fluid.

More people — especially men — are beginning to experiment with unconventional silhouettes, from skirts and wide-leg shapes like palazzo pants to gender non-conforming pieces that move beyond the usual T-shirt-and-pants formula. But not everyone is ready to go full-on skirt. Some simply want the drama, movement and edge of a skirt-like silhouette, with the ease and practicality of shorts.

That was one of the ideas behind our Hakama Shorts.

The design was inspired by the traditional Japanese hakama pants worn in kendo. During Finix founder Leonard’s time living in Japan, his apartment was right next to a Japanese high school. After school, he would often see groups of students walking out in their kendo gear.

What stayed with him was the way their hakama pants moved as they walked. The wide-leg shape, the sharp knife pleats, the flow and structure — it was such a beautiful combination. Traditional, but also incredibly edgy. From afar, the silhouette almost looked like a skirt, but in motion, it carried strength, discipline and quiet drama.

Leonard loved the silhouette so much that he eventually bought a pair of traditional hakama pants while he was in Japan. But as beautiful as they were, he quickly realised they were not the easiest piece to wear on a regular day out. The traditional tying method came with its own ritual and technique, which made it feel tedious, time-consuming and impractical for everyday modern life.

So he wanted to reimagine that idea for today.

Our Hakama Shorts take inspiration from the traditional kendo hakama, reimagined as a contemporary, easy-to-wear piece. They carry the look and movement of a skirt-like silhouette, with the function and comfort of shorts. Sharp knife pleats add structure, while the wide-leg shape creates flow, drama and movement. Designed with a secure front fastener and zipper, they make everyday wear more practical too — because ease of movement should also mean ease in real life.

It is a piece for anyone looking for something different — whether you call it gender-fluid fashion, Japanese-inspired clothing, edgy menswear, or simply a more expressive way to dress.

Paired with our Kimono-Sleeve Cropped Bolero Jacket, the look becomes even more distinct. The cropped jacket adds a soft architectural layer, while the kimono-inspired sleeves frame the body with ease. Together, the Bolero Jacket and Hakama Shorts create a modern Asian silhouette that feels sharp, fluid and quietly powerful.

Not quite a skirt. Not just shorts. Not bound by gender.