I Tested Summer's 22 Best Linen Pants—Here's What Came Out on Top
These trousers are perfect for beating the summer heat, from drawstring styles to tailored versions.
Made with a touch of ‘90s fashion minimalism and a certain Carolyn Bessette Kennedy sensibility, linen pants conjure up images of coastal sun-soaked summers because— if nothing else—warm-weather dressing is a study in finding fabrics that leave you looking put-together even in sweltering summer temperatures. No matter how you style your linen pants, experts and fashion insiders agree they deserve a place in your warm-weather rotation.
While linen shorts and linen dresses are ideal vacation wear, lightweight linen blazers work perfectly as professional summer work outfit staples. Bloomingdale’s Ready to Wear Fashion Director, Janelle Lloyd, says, "A great pair of linen pants are a timeless purchase, and one that's well worth the investment, especially as temperatures continue to rise (and with contemporary brands like Theory, J.Crew, Banana Republic, Alex Mill and Everlane to name a few) offering options for both in-office and off-duty wear," she says.
Olympia Gayot, J.Crew’s Creative Director of Women and Kids, is a huge fan of linen, and while shades like white and cream are still some of the most popular choices, she notes that you don't have to shop for linen pants exclusively in those neutral colors. “The modern linen trouser has evolved to mean more unique patterns and bright colorways, with design details like front pleats, embroidery, drawstrings, and embellishments, and they come in all kinds of lengths and rises,” she tells Marie Claire. They've become just as versatile as any other pair of pants.
Here, we've tested and curated a fashion-forward edit of the best expert and editor-approved linen pants on the market and tapped stylist, content creator, and author of The Jones Report newsletter, Angharad Jones, for styling ideas—our favorites and more ahead.
Marie Claire's Favorite Linen Pants
- Best Overall Linen Pants: Alex Mill Riley Pants in Linen
- Best Cropped Linen Pants: COS Linen Culottes
- Best Colorful Linen Pants: Everlane Linen Easy Pants
- Best Wide-Leg Linen Pants: Banana Republic Italian Linen-Cotton Wide-Leg Jeans
- Best Sporty Linen Pants: Athleta Retreat Linen Mid Rise Wide Leg Pants
- Best Linen Pants for the Office: J.Crew Kate Straight-Leg Pants in Stretch Linen Blend
- Best Tailored Linen Pants: Abercrombie & Fitch Sloane Tailored Linen-Blend Pants
- Best Soft Linen Pants: Caslon Drawstring Straight Leg Linen Pants
Shop the Best Linen Pants
Available in three colors, this pair of linen pants from sustainable brand Alex Mill features a drawstring waistband and a straight-leg fit. Designed to be worn either high or low on the waist, they’re a versatile pick made for dressing up for the office or wearing on the weekends. Designed alongside a matching button-down, they’re also a great pairing for a white tank or T-shirt.
What’s the Fabric Type?: 100 percent linen
What’s the Size Range?: Sizes XS through XL
My Review: These are, hands-down, the most comfortable linen pants on this list. Despite being made from 100 percent linen, they weren’t scratchy from the get-go, almost as if they’d been washed dozens of times before I put them on. I tested them in the navy blue colorway and wore them in both the office and the airport on a recent trip, and they were perfect in both situations. While wrinkling is a necessary evil when testing anything made from linen, I found that these weren’t as wrinkly as other options I tested. They earned top marks in performance, and I've worn them nearly a dozen times in just a short span of time.
Wide-leg culottes are a summer essential because they're so breezy. This pair from COS is available in two colors (a classic navy blue and a muted sage green shade) and has a bell-shaped design that mimics a skirt silhouette that's super comfortable thanks to a wide, comfortable, and elasticated waistband. The addition of recycled linen in the fabrication is a plus, and buying the matching linen top makes for an easy summer outfit.
What’s the Fabric Type?: 70 percent linen, 30 percent recycled linen
What’s the Size Range?: Sizes 2 through 14
My Review: As a petite person, I have long loved COS’s cropped pants, and this pair was no exception. They hit right at the mid-shin, the perfect length to be styled with heeled ankle boots. The silhouette feels elevated, and I would happily wear them to the office or a formal summer occasion. The waistband sat flat against my stomach even after I tucked my T-shirt (which is a major plus), and there was a hidden drawstring that didn’t bunch even after I adjusted it.
Fans of Everlane’s summer basics will love this pair of linen pants. The “easy” in their name comes from the thick elastic waistband and straight fit. Four pockets and a 100 percent linen fabrication make them breathable for any occasion. You can shop them in a wide array of colors, including a trendy Kelly green, a pure white, a striped iteration, and a mid-toned brown.
What’s the Fabric Type?: 100 percent European Flax™ linen
What’s the Size Range?: Sizes XXS through XXL
My Review: I really liked these pants—they were some of the most comfortable I tested. The waistband, although not adjustable, was super comfortable, and I didn't find the material scratchy or itchy. However, they creased pretty easily and took longer to come out as I wore them. I’m not someone who will remember to steam my clothing every time I want to wear a certain piece. If you're the same way, you can plan ahead by storing these in a closet rather than in a drawer.
Available in three colors, these linen-blend trousers are inspired by the '70s. They have a super high rise waist—11 inches, to be exact—a zipper fly, belt loops, and a structured fit through the waist and hips. They come in two leg lengths, and the sturdy material keeps its shape without wrinkling. The brand also notes that they're machine-washable.
What's the Fabric Type?: 60 percent flax linen, 39 percent cotton, 1 percent elastane
What's the Size Range?: Sizes 24 through 35
My Review: As a petite girl, the regular length didn't work with flat shoes like sneakers—I had to wear them with heels. While I would typically hem my trousers, the bell-shaped design of the leg would disappear on this one if I cut them shorter. But the stretch linen-cotton blend held me in without suffocating and made my bottom half look streamlined and smooth.
These 100 percent linen pants from Athleta feature a relaxed fit through the leg with a thick elasticated waistband. They’re machine-washable with a 100 percent linen fabrication. You can shop them in six colors. They’re inherently sporty, with a high rise at the waist, deep, wide pockets across the front, and a slit at the ankle for freedom of movement.
What’s The Fabric Type?: 100 percent linen
What’s The Size Range?: Sizes XXS through 3XL
My Review: I ordered this pair in a size extra small in the black colorway and found that they fit a little long in the leg on my 5’3" frame, with the hem hovering just above the floor. The slit at the cuff came up to a few inches above my ankle, giving them a bell-bottomed look that swished when I walked. I liked these because they’re perfect for on-the-go days thanks to the oversized, deep pockets and comfortable fit, but I don’t think they could be dressed up for the office as easily as others I tested. I found that these showed fewer wrinkles over the day than others on this list. A small design feature I loved on these was the rubber finishing on the drawstring instead of just a knot or an open seam—helping ensure they won’t fray in the wash.
This bestselling pair of linen pants from J.Crew is available in six colors, ranging from an off-white hue to a bold red shade. They also come in three inseam lengths (petite at 26 inches, regular at 28 inches, and tall at 31 inches) and have a straight-leg design that fits close to the body through the hips before cutting off right above the ankle. They have a zippered fly with a suitlike waistband that makes them more formal than other options on this list. You can shop the matching linen blazer for a great summer work outfit. If you're looking for a more relaxed pair from J.Crew, Gayot recommends the Soleil Pants in Linen (available for pre-order now). She says they're the "perfect pair for the beach (and beyond)."
What’s The Fabric Type?: 67 percent linen, 33 percent Sorona® polyester
What’s The Size Range?: Sizes 00 through 24
My Review: I snagged a pair of these pants in the regular length in the flax ivory colorway, and I loved them. I was nervous about the fitted shape but found they had just enough give. They fit me perfectly without tailoring, dropping to just below my ankle. They’re also fully lined, which means that they’re not see-through in the slightest, nor are they scratchy on my skin. The linen-blend fabrication means that they remain without wrinkles throughout the day.
This cult-favorite pair of linen pants from Abercrombie & Fitch comes in a few colors (seven, to be exact), such as white, lavender, and a few striped iterations. They have a work-ready look with a tailored design, a structured waistband, a zippered fly, and belt loops (a rarity amongst the options on this list). They’re also available in three inseam lengths, the shortest of which clocks in at 27.5 inches. The brand notes that you can machine wash them in cold temperatures, which is a major plus.
What’s The Fabric Type?: 55 percent linen, 45 viscose
What’s The Size Range?: Sizes 24 through 37
My Review: Like some other white pants, these aren’t see-through in the slightest, thanks to their full lining. I got them in the shortest leg length and found that they were more cropped than most other “petite” options I've tried, and I liked that they showed off my shoes. I loved the pleating at the waist and the fact that I could wear a belt. I found them to crease more easily than other options here, but they survived the wash with flying colors and dried quickly, too. If you're taller than me, I recommend opting for the classic leg length and getting them hemmed.
These l00 percent linen pants from Caslon are available in three colors (black, white, and tan), feature a drawstring design at the waistband, and have three pockets. They have a wider leg and hit just above the foot. Priced well under $100, these pants have a lightweight fabrication and comfortable fit through the hips and legs.
What’s The Fabric Type?: 100 percent linen
What’s The Size Range?: Petite and regular sizes XXS through XXL
My Review: I loved how soft these pants are. I snagged them in a regular (non petite) size XS in the black colorway. They’re casual enough to be worn with a T-shirt, but I also wore them to a formal dinner with my family, and no one batted an eye. The leg length hits that sweet spot between the top of my foot and the bottom of my ankle. You can wear them with low heels or achieve a relaxed vibe with sneakers.
Shop Other Linen Pants We Love
This wide-leg, cropped style is made of a breathable linen-cotton blend and is available in sizes up to 5XL and in 21 different colors and prints. It's an undeniable fan favorite on Amazon, with over 3,400 five-star reviews. Reviewers say that the fabric is lightweight and good for boiling temperatures, and it’s soft (and only gets softer after washing). However, they note that the length is more of a Capri style if you’re tall.
What’s the Fabric Type?: 50 percent linen, 50 percent cotton
What’s the Size Range?: Sizes S through 5XL
If you’re petite, consider these pants with a 28-inch inseam from Reformation, fashion insiders' favorite brand. They’re made from light-as-air 100 percent linen fabric and come in four colors. The brand notes that you can clean them in the washing machine on the cold cycle, and they feature an easy drawstring design at the waist. If you’re taller and are looking for a similar look, consider the Olina pants in the longer length.
What’s the Fabric Type?: 100 percent linen
What’s the Size Range?: Petites sizing XS through XL
Luxury brand MaxMara makes a range of elevated basics that are versatile enough for the office and more formal occasions. Case in point: this pair of high-waisted linen blend trousers. Made from 100 percent linen with a high waist and a subtle pleating detail, they’re the summertime version of your favorite black trousers.
What’s the Fabric Type?: 100 percent linen
What’s the Size Range?: Sizes 0 through 16
Swedish brand Toteme makes elevated basics for the “if you know, you know” fashion crowd. This pair of linen pants from the brand is further proof, thanks to their easy drawstring silhouette. that packs a stylish punch. With the wrinkle-proof linen blend fabrication and a straight, flowing design at the leg, they’re easy enough to carry you through to the end of summer and into early fall.
What’s the Fabric Type?: 75 percent TENCEL™ Lyocell, 25 percent linen
What’s the Size Range?: EU (Denmark) sizes 32 through 42, US sizes 0 through 10
If you want the comfort and adjustability of a drawstring but don’t like the look, consider this pair of linen pants from Japanese basics brand Uniqlo. The drawstring is cleverly hidden behind the buttoned waistband for the perfect blend of elevation and comfort. You can shop them in five colors, including this olive green colorway, and sizes up to 3XL.
What’s the Fabric Type?: 63 percent cotton, 35 percent linen, 2 percent spandex
What’s the Size Range?: Sizes XS through 3XL
Not every pair of linen pants has to come in a neutral shade. Sometimes, a color (especially a pastel hue) can feel just as wearable in the summertime. This pair of linen pants from Mango is made from 100 percent linen and is priced at under $100, and the brand makes a coordinating blue linen top you can shop for a monochrome look.
What’s the Fabric Type?: 100 percent linen
What’s the Size Range?: Sizes XXS through XXL
Lloyd cites Theory as a top brand to look out for when looking for linen pants because she says the elevated basics brand “makes a great classic straight-leg linen pants that will be a workhorse in your office wardrobe." This cropped pair is proof. Made from a blend of linen and recycled elastane for a hint of stretch, they’ll move with you throughout the day while maintaining their shape. Plus, they come in two office-friendly colors: navy and black.
What’s the Fabric Type?: 62 percent linen, 36 percent recycled pre-consumer viscose, 2 percent recycled pre-consumer elastane
What’s the Size Range?: Sizes 00 through 16
You can shop these linen pants from Gap in four colors and in three size ranges: petite, regular, and tall. Despite the “pull-on” descriptor in their name, they come outfitted with a zippered fly and a button at the waist. Reviewers hail this pair as a lightweight summer staple: “These pants are comfortable and look terrific,” wrote one reviewer who gave them five stars. “They'll be the cornerstone of my wardrobe with a T-shirt and a jean jacket.
What’s the Fabric Type?: 55 percent linen, 45 percent cotton
What’s the Size Range?: Sizes XXS through XXL
Pale pink pinstripes elevate these high-waisted pull-on linen pants from Madewell. They come in five colors and prints and four separate size ranges—petite, plus, standard, and tall—so you can easily find your perfect fit. Reviewers have dubbed them a summer wardrobe savior thanks to their soft, comfortable feel and machine-washability. The waistband has a scrunched detail in the back, teamed with a flat-laying design at the front for the ideal blend of comfort and sophistication.
What’s the Fabric Type?: 100 percent linen
What’s the Size Range?: Sizes 00 through 16
The Aritzia Effortless Pants in the original crepe material is a viral crowd favorite, but did you know they also come in a linen fabrication? Made with the same easy fit and pleated detailing as the brand’s classic pant, the linen iteration comes in six colors ranging from pale white to an inky black hue and in three inseam lengths. They’re machine washable and have a zippered closure with a structured, pleated design at the waist.
What’s The Fabric Type?: 66 percent TENCEL™ Lyocell, 34 percent linen
What’s The Size Range?: Sizes 00 through 16
Free People makes some of the easiest-to-wear pieces on the market. This pair of super wide-leg linen pants from the brand is perfect and lightweight for lounging around or running weekend errands without breaking a sweat. They come in four colors: slate gray, burnt orange, and lemon yellow. The linen blend fabrication saves you from wrinkles as you relax, and they have deep pockets at the sides to hold your essentials. Perfectly draped, they’ll always look like you threw them on effortlessly.
What’s the Fabric Type?: 50 percent linen, 50 percent viscose
What’s the Size Range?: Sizes XS through XL
This pair of white linen pants from the inclusive Universal Standard brand comes in sizes 4XS through 4XL. They're available in one of three fits and four colors. You can also opt for one of three matching tops: a longer button-down, a tie-front V-neck top, and a short-sleeved button-down tee for an instant outfit. The breathable linen fabric is complimented with a touch of stretch thanks to the inclusion of elastane for all-day comfort.
What’s the Fabric Type?: 55 percent linen, 42 percent rayon, 3 percent elastane
What’s the Size Range?: Sizes 00 through 40
Lloyd describes this pair of Faithfull the Brand linen trousers as the “perfect work-to-weekend cropped, high-waisted style.” Available in an oatmeal hue with a pleated waist design and shorter leg length, they’re an easy option to fall back on in the summer season. The term “cropped” is relative—the inseam clocks in at 32 inches, a few inches longer than some of the other inseams with the same descriptor—but they’re perfect if you’re in between the typical inseam height ranges.
What’s The Fabric Type?: 100 percent linen
What’s The Size Range?: Sizes XS Through XXL
As a one-time Sydney resident, Jones says linen pants from Australian brand St. Agni have been a go-to for years. The cult-favorite brand is Meghan Markle-approved and has a devoted following among other A-listers like Dakota Johnson and Kendall Jenner. This pair of wide-leg pleated pants is available in both white and black. Breathable and made from 100 percent linen, they have a lower waist teamed with a boyish fit through the leg thanks to the pleated waistband.
What’s the Fabric Type?: 100 percent linen
What’s the Size Range?: Sizes XXS through XXL
What To Look for in the Best Linen Pants
- Fabrication: Are your preferred linen pants made from 100 percent linen, or are they a blend? There are upsides to both: 100 percent linen pants tend to be more lightweight but can feel rough on the skin and are more prone to wrinkling. Blends, particularly those made with cotton, are less wrinkly and can be softer to the touch.
- Silhouette: With so many options on the market right now, consider your preferred silhouette. Straight-leg tailored options work well for the office and are considered more timeless, but trendy cargo-style or cropped versions can be fun to experiment with.
- Color: Shades of white, cream, navy, and black are classic options, of course, but consider other colors, too— as J'Crew's Gayot noted. Pastel-hued or floral iterations brighten up even the most timeless summer wardrobe staples and are great to throw in your suitcase for your next vacation.
How to Care for Linen Pants
- Check your care label or the brand’s website for the best cleaning options for your specific pair.
- Sort your clothing into lights and darks in the washing machine to prevent dye transfer.
- Hand-wash linen if you're particularly worried about your pants shrinking in the machine. Some brands recommend that you exclusively wash your linen pants by hand, so double-check before laundry day.
- Avoid bleach and fabric softeners when you wash your linen pants, as these products can weaken fabric over time.
- Not all linen pants should be tumble-dried. If yours can be (check the washing instructions!), consider drying them with wool dryer balls to eliminate wrinkles. Hang-drying your linen pants is the most delicate approach.
How to Style Linen Pants
When multiple celebrities back a fashion item, you know it’s got to be good—and linen pants fall into that category. Follow Dakota Johnson’s lead and team them with a button-down for a casual summer work outfit that wins every time. Gayot follows a similar approach when styling linen pants. "I often find myself wearing linen trousers more casually throughout spring and summer with a light sweater or a T-shirt layered underneath a blazer, plus a pair of loafers or sandals and a classic belt," she says. Relying on other summer staples is the key to making them work.
If you have a more formal occasion, Sienna Miller’s pinstriped blue suit at Wimbledon proves that the easygoing fabric can easily be dressed up.
If you're headed out of town, use Jennifer Lopez’s vacation outfit as inspiration and team your breezy linen pants with a contrasting bikini top.
Outside of the celebrity circuit, linen does work for everyday wear. “I love wearing them with a sleeveless, cropped linen top—in a matching or contrasting color—and fisherman or strappy suede sandals. It’s simple but effective, and you can always add jewelry and accessories to create more details,” says stylist, content creator, and author of The Jones Report newsletter Angharad Jones. “I’ll also pair them with an oversized linen shirt with the sleeves rolled up, either loose for a casual daytime look or tucked into the waistband for a more ‘pulled together’ outfit.”
Meet The Experts
Olympia Gayot was born in Toronto and grew up drawing, painting, sewing, with her mother and grandmother from an early age. She was an avid painter from a young age, and her instinct for fashion merged with her art in painting portraits of her family and friends, with specific attention to details of their clothing. She attended the School of Visual Arts in New York and upon graduating in 2003, began her career painting commissions and simultaneously designing for small brands and assisting stylists in editorials. She originally joined the J.Crew team in 2010 as a Design Director and was with the brand for seven years, followed by three years spent at Victoria’s Secret with their Design team. In September 2020, Gayot returned to J.Crew as the Head of Women’s and Crewcuts Design. Olympia works with her team throughout the year to create and deliver seasonal collections and collaborations with exciting partners including, London-based Liberty, Cassi Namoda, and more. A big fan of the arts, Gayot seeks inspiration and creativity from all around her. She looks to furniture, interiors, fabric, and the New York architecture for inspiration, along with conducting research at her favorite galleries and bookstores in the city. Olympia is happily married to her husband Matt, and they have two sons, Aalto and Ulysses.
Janelle Lloyd is the Women’s Ready-to-Wear Fashion Director at Bloomingdale’s, and you may also know her as style authority and influencer of Wait, You Need This. Janelle is a seasoned vet in the fashion space with experience in buying, styling, and marketing for many brands we know and love.
Bio: Angharad Jones is a freelance writer and content creator based in the UK. For more than ten years, she’s worked behind the scenes at premium fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands, which has led to a lifelong appreciation of quality, timeless design. You can find her on Instagram @angharadbjones and Substack at The Jones Report.
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Julia Marzovilla is the Fashion E-Commerce Editor at Marie Claire, where she reviews the latest launches from fashion and beauty brands, finds the best on-sale items around the internet, and interviews experts to find the best products in any category to share with her readers. She also creates shopping guides that span every vertical on the site as an expert in everything from the best laptop bags to the best laser hair removal devices.
In her near decade of experience, Julia has both written for several top outlets in the E-Commerce space and worked at major fashion labels. Prior to joining the Marie Claire team, she contributed similar shopping stories to sites such as Bustle, InStyle, The Zoe Report, Who What Wear, and worked as the Trending Fashion and News Writer STYLECASTER. You can find her across the internet at @JuliaMarzovilla. In real life, you can find her creating shopping guides for her friends, cooking or baking in her too-small kitchen, or buying tickets for the next time Harry Styles is in town.
Julia has a Bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in Journalism from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. She lives in New York City, her hometown.
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