With record-breaking summer temperatures now a scary norm, drastic measures are needed to stay cool, especially in the trouser department. Once regarded as the go-to trouser style for ’90s singer-songwriters, linen pants for men now have a style resurgence, thanks to modern cuts, accessible color palettes and polished finishing touches.
With brands like Cos, Uniqlo and Theory now using the summer-friendly material, you can also expect more considered fits; linen’s drape remains, but a tapered leg or cropped hem here and there helps create some definition. And you can wear them in more ways, dressing them up and down as you need to – a pair of linen pants won’t steer you wrong.
In a hurry? Here are the best linen pants for men this summer season:
Our Pick
L'Estrange London 24 Linen Trouser
Linen-cotton blend with added stretch, designed for year-round wear in 3 neutral colors.
Runner Up
J.Crew Cotton-Linen Chino Pant
Garment-dyed, wear-everywhere linen chinos, also known as your new summer work pants.
Also Great
SuitSupply Drawstring Ames Trousers
Smart meets comfy with these tailored trousers, made from pure Italian linen.
The 15 Best Linen Pants For Men
L’Estrange London
L’Estrange London is set on changing when and where you wear linen — and linen construction as a whole. With their 24 trouser, they took this summer fabric and gave it a revamp, intending for their design to be worn year-round. Using a blend of soft cotton, breezy linen and added stretch, this fabric will take you from summer months into the cooler seasons (especially if you opt for a black pair).
Theory
Theory’s classic Zaine pant has been given an update for summer. Cut the same as their best-selling trouser, the linen variation offers a touch of stretch to provide added comfort, and the trousers are cropped to the ankle, making them easy to roll up for a more contemporary sea-side look.
NN07
Ready to ditch the chinos in favor of linen pants? Head to NN07, which has developed the perfect linen trouser with a drawstring waist to satisfy the casual summer gent. A great lightweight men’s pants option, especially teamed with a classic Oxford shirt or simple tee. For those ready to go beyond nodding at the trend, the Scandi brand has given casual Fridays a whole new meaning.
Drake’s
With their 100% linen pants, the Italian brand Drake’s knows how to keep it both cool and stylish. Single-pleated with side adjusters, they offer their trousers in a range of earthy and demure colors: olive, navy, sand, and brown. The straight-legged trouser goes well with a pair of penny loafers and either a linen jacket of the same color or a button-down shirt.
Marks & Spencer
Dressing for the office in the summertime is hard, fact. High-street stalwart M&S has come to the rescue with a range of linen pants for men that won’t look too casual for work but will graft away in the wardrobe, doubling as a weekend option. Its slim fit linen trousers are cut just right to roll up for a weekend paddle, and the blend of linen and viscose means they drape well with instantaneous creases.
Brunello Cucinelli
With thoughts of linen come thoughts of Italy, and Italian brand Brunello Cucinelli certainly knows its way around a luxury linen trouser. Linen is a classic fabric, usually known for its coarse hand feel, but Cucinelli’s range is almost impossibly soft. We’re talking CEO prices, but this is sprezzatura at its best, with contemporary shapes and a mix of plains, Prince of Wales checks and distressed pinstripes in earthy blues and neutral tones.
Mango
Mango does the dapper European look at better prices than most, and its linen trousers are a cornerstone of that look. The options are mainly tailored with turn-ups and pleats, but you’ll also find the odd sweatpant-inspired cut. It’s also a good place to look for more interesting takes on staple colors, with versatile off-whites and tobacco browns among our favorites.
Mr P.
In just a few short years, Mr Porter’s in-house label has nailed considered takes on lasting, wearable trends. So it’s no surprise to see it stocking a few linen trousers for summer. Either loose or tapered and tailored, the palette is muted and easy to style up or down, depending on what you’re running out of the door for. And expect extra touches like drawstring waists, sharp pleats or chambray finishes.
J. Crew
J. Crew screams classic fits and effortlessly cool when it comes to their linen pants. Featuring a cotton-linen blend and smart chino style, these linen pants are meant for lounging in a shore house, taking a summer road trip, or sipping on drinks at an outdoor bar.
COS
Linen can be a hard fabric to mould to the body; it’s designed to sit away to create a cooling sensation. The range at COS plays with proportions by creating a smart suit trouser that sits close to the body for a more polished look. Then its linen pants for men offer a more slim-fit silhouette with a breathable fabric to take you from BBQ weekends to smart corporate events.
SuitSupply
Whether you have business trips every week this summer or a few summer weddings you must attend, there’s no better way to go than with linen suit pants (preferably the whole suit on dressier occasions). SuitSupply is known for their suits, so their dressy linen pants definitely can’t be beaten. These pants are both breathable and comfortable made from pure linen.
H&M
H&M may cater to a faster-fashion crowd, but their linen-blend pants are made with comfort and movement in mind. They even have a linen-blend jogger with sewn folded cuffs – the ultimate summer comfort pant.
Reiss
Bossing the premium end of the high-street,
Far Afield
British brand Far Afield offers a range of linen trousers with an easy palette to work with. They span linen suit trousers to looser, casual options, all of which will work with crisp shirts as well as an easy Breton top.
Banana Republic
It’s easy to break a sweat – especially if you’re paying hefty prices for a pair of easy, breezy linen pants. But for these prices and look, you can stay cool no matter the situation. Made from soft, breathable linen, and featuring front off-seam pockets and a contoured waistband, these pants will be your go-to for the summer weddings lining your datebook.
How To Wear Linen Pants for Men
There are two directions you can go when styling linen pants: tailored or casual. The former is the look you already know. Think pleated fronts, Cuban collar shirts tucked in, a tonal blazer over the top if temperatures call for it – all very Italian.
Avoid linen shirts and go with a cotton or Tencel shirt for some textural contrast. Sandals or loafers will finish the look. Even go for a linen suit if you want to feel like you can say you ‘summer’ somewhere exotic.
For a more modern take, wear linen pants like you’d wear a smart-ish pair of joggers (you’ll find lots with drawstring waists). Pair them with a neutral, block-color T-shirt and easy-wearing high-tops or minimalist trainers for an easy way to stay cool in the city during the warmer months.
What To Look For in Linen Pants for Men
Fabric
One of the benefits of linen in the summer months is down to the unique structure of the fabric. Its low thread count and moisture absorbency keeps you cool and allows greater airflow around the body. One hundred percent linen, however, can be tricky to care for. You’ll need a red hot steam iron while the trousers are still damp to remove creases.
One way around this is to invest in a linen blend trouser. The linen will ensure a flattering drape to the trousers, while adding cotton or polyester creates an element of easy-care such as being fast drying.
Fit
Linen doesn’t have a natural stretch, so opting for a looser pair with a good drape is a good idea. It’s easy to feel cautious, though, as too loose a fit will invite some unfavorable comparisons, and no one wants to look like the man from Del Monte.
Linen pants for men now come in a wider range of fits than in years gone by. Counter the relaxed fit with tapered legs, turn up hems and drawstring waists, giving the linen trouser look an instant style update.
Color
With linen being a natural fibre, the best color options are earthy tones, like dark neutrals, stone, khaki and brown, especially if the desired look is more casual. Washed navy and denim-style indigo are a great way to help linen pants appear smarter. Leave brighter colors to showboating yacht owners.
Finishing Touches
Like many formal trousers, the classic men’s linen trouser has undergone some upgrades in recent years. Drawstring waists and unfinished hems help to create a more casual, beachy look, whereas classic side adjusters and welt pockets on pairs with sharp pleats help to create a more office-appropriate summer look.
Opting for linen pants with a turn-up hem is probably the best way of getting the most
