More often than not, wearing pants in the summer can feel like a flat-out chore, and it seems as though no one is brave enough to admit it. While slipping into your favorite pair of jeans or chinos every morning might feel like second nature, having to deal with either option’s lack of breathability at this time of year is far from ideal. With all that in mind, your go-to pair of summer bottoms should be knit from lightweight, easy-going linen.
When it boils down to it, wearing linen pants is enjoyable for all the same reasons that dozing on linen sheets is preferable during the warmer months. The material is ultra-breathable, loosely woven, highly absorbent, and cool to the touch. And while your idea of linen pants may not stretch further than your typical relaxed-fit pair of beach pants with a drawstring waist, these days it’s easy to covertly wear linen pants in just about any style imaginable. We’ve scoured the market to help you find the most comfortable, breathable, and fashionable linen pants to help keep you cool this summer, so have a look below and give your shorts a break for the time being.
Uniqlo Relaxed Linen Blend Pant
Like anything you buy from UNIQLO, this is a dependable starter option. Their Relaxed Linen Blend Pant features a standard tapered silhouette that makes them easy to wear with virtually any outfit, be it formal or casual. Although this particular pair features a predominantly cotton composition, the linen and spandex elements are clear, thanks to their breathability and stretchiness.
Flint and Tinder 365 Cotton Linen Chino
Huckberry’s house brand puts a Western-ready twist on these stylish linen chinos. The humble clothier’s beloved 365 Pants are some of the most versatile you can find, but its 365 Cotton Linen Chino is the optimized summer spin on this flagship silhouette. It is crafted from a breathable cotton and linen blend, then rounded out with a quartet of pockets, two of which are finished off with fish-eye-sewn corozo buttons to secure your gear.
Taylor Stitch The Easy Pant
Like most pieces from Taylor Stitch, The Easy Pant is sustainably made using a touch of organic cotton, alongside linen and sumptuous spun silk. The garment-washed bottoms serve as an upscale take on the brand’s popular Après pant, but is delivered in a brand new silhouette and touched with a herringbone finish for an old-school look. All in all, this is a perfect bridge between formalwear and casual attire.
Alex Crane Cham Pants
If you love sleeping on striped linen sheets, then these are about to become your favorite pair of pants. Alex Crane’s Cham Pants are composed of sustainably-grown French linen and dyed using organic pigments, so you’re doing the planet a favor by picking these up. On top of that, you can rest assured that the pants are made in quality working conditions, as each pair’s origin is fully accessible to customers.
NN.07 Karl Tapered Linen Pants
From TENCEL-crafted jackets to lyocell long sleeves, there are countless pieces from NN.07 built for the summer — this is another example. While it might just be a result of their deep green palette, these linen chinos have a rugged, utilitarian feel to them. The well-designed choice from the Danish brand has a tailored fit thanks to its tapered legs and is rounded out with a traditional button-and-zip fastening.
Billy Reid Cotton Linen 5 Pocket Pants
This pair from Billy Reid is another great choice if you want to maintain the traditional look of your favorite jeans. The Alabama clothier’s Cotton Linen 5 Pocket Pants are crafted from a cotton and linen blend and have a slim, near-tailored fit that makes them perfect for any occasion. While the garment-dyed bottoms are available in four different colors, the pictured Quarry style is our favorite thanks to its versatility — at the end of the day, everything goes well with gray.
Wythe New York Cotton Linen Slub Chino Pant
It’s easy to overlook any pair that abides by tradition, but Wythe New York’s option separates itself from the rest thanks to one unique element: they are inspired by WWII-era fatigues. The durable linen chinos are made of a signature skin-twill fabric from the Big Apple-based clothier, resulting in a lived-in fit, then washed and softened for an equally well-aged look.
James Perse Lightweight Linen Pant
Shed all the unwanted weight from your usual pair of pants thanks to this timelessly-stylish option from James Perse. The boutique brand’s Lightweight Linen Pant is crafted entirely from linen, deeming it one of the most unsaturated options on our guide, let alone the market. The garment-dyed pants are finished off with an elasticized waistband and a bevy of pockets, too, so they are as functional as they are stylish.
Birdwell x Todd Snyder Linen Traveler Pant
While Todd Snyder’s catalog is not limited to this single pair of linen pants, it is easily the most stylish pair you can find. Birdwell’s intent for collaborating with the New York-based label was to concoct a pair of bottoms (and a matching blazer) that are perfect to wear at a beach wedding, and there’s no denying that it would be a suitable choice. The Linen Traveler Pant is made entirely of Italian linen and comes available in a pair of summer-ready shades.
Orlebar Brown Griffon Straight-Leg Linen Trousers
When it comes to high-end summer essentials, Orlebar Brown is a brand you should never overlook. The eco-cognizant clothier’s Griffon Straight-Leg Linen Trousers live up to their name entirely, serving as a standard-fitting pair of bottoms that are sure to look great whether you’re sitting shoreside or going out for a mid-day lunch. For enhanced adjustability, its waistline is rounded out with a set of tabs to help you find the perfect fit.
HARAGO Black Stripe Trousers
If you aren’t familiar with HARAGO yet, now’s a great time to get ahead of the curve. The Indian menswear label implements various artisanal techniques in its manufacturing process, and these sleek pants are one example of how it brings them to life. They are handcrafted from a linen and cotton blend and then finished with an elasticized waistband and a pair of pockets. Simply put, fans of stripes will never want to take these off.
Drake’s Irish Linen Single Pleat Trouser
Like anything from Drake’s, these pleated trousers are a great addition to any sartorial wardrobe. The Italian-made pants are fully sewn from crisp Irish linen and then delivered to your front door, deeming them an international showcase on how to stay sharp. The bottoms are rounded out with a quartet of convenient pockets, an extended front tab, and an internal French bearer to give it a tailored fit. Plus, it comes available in a handful of different colors, so make sure you nab a matching linen blazer, too.
The 22 Best Men’s Summer Style Essentials
Linen pants are a great layer to tack on this season, and you can find loads of others with help from our guide to the best summer style essentials.
