Asa Pants - Navy

麻 (asa): "hemp and linen cloth."

Asa-no-ha, the hemp leaf, is a Japanese pattern of six-pointed stars built from diamonds, and it's the classic pattern for baby clothes. Hemp grows tall, straight and fast, so parents dressed newborns in it as a wish that the child would grow the same way. You still see it everywhere: on furoshiki wrapping cloths, on summer yukata and in the wooden lattice of shoji screens.

This navy is deep, close to indigo and dark enough to pass for black in low light, with the cotton-linen slub showing as fine streaks. The cut is straight and ankle length, relaxed through the hip, with side pockets and an elastic drawstring waist.

Navy dresses up best of the four colors: a white shirt and loafers take these to the office, and a gray tee takes them to the beach. Haori and other Japanese layers to go over them hang in the traditional wear section.

• Fabric: cotton-linen blend with a natural slub texture
• Waist: elastic with drawstring
• Pockets: side pockets
• Fit: relaxed through the hip, straight leg, ankle length
• Sizes: jeans-style waist sizes 30, 32, 33, 34, 36, 38, 40
• Size reference: 6 ft 2 in, 172 lb wears 32; 5 ft 11 in, 198 lb wears 34

Measurements for every size are in the size guide.