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- What to Look For
- How to Care for Linen Pants
- Linen Pants for Fall Dressing
- Meet The Expert
By Julia Marzovilla
last updated
Fact: Linen is one of the best fabrics you can wear in scorching hot summer weather, bar none. The fiber is quick-drying, breathable, and sustainably made. It’s actually made from flax, which is biodegradable, requires little water to grow, and the whole plant can be used. Plus, lightweight linen is the perfect summertime material to lounge around in. We Marie Claire editors happen to absolutely love linen in all kinds of forms in the summer (we’ve even rounded up a few of the very best linen dresses, linen blazers, linen shorts, and linen suits to prove our collective devotion to the fabric), but there's nothing quite like owning a classic pair of the best linen pants—ones you'll want to wear every day.
So, we took the time to round up a few of the cutest-ever options to show you right here–and our selections do not disappoint. They’re stylish, yes, but many of our favorite pairs are also priced at under $50. These summer-ready bottoms are entirely crucial to surviving heat-wave-level temperatures because, let’s face it, even the best summer dresses in your closet need a break from time to time! Style your favorite linen pants with yoursummer outfitessentials, or just throw them on over a bikini on your next beach vacation.
Overview
- Best Overall Linen Pants: LNX Linen Pants
- Best Office-Friendly Linen Pants: Venus Striped Wide Leg Linen Pants With Self Belt
- Best Colorful Linen Pants: J.Crew Kate Straight-Leg Pant in Stretch Linen
- Best White Linen Pants: Nili Lotan Flavie Linen Pants
- Best High-Waisted Linen Pants: UNIQLO Linen Cotton Tapered Pants
- Best Size-Inclusive Linen Pants: Amazon Essentials Women's Linen Blend Drawstring Wide Leg Pant
What to Look For in The Best Linen Pants
Linen pants are one of the most versatile and classic pieces you can add into your wardrobe, so it’s important to really consider the details before you purchase a pair. From the fabrication (are they 100 percent linen or a blend?) to the length and style (cargo options are trending, straight-leg linen pants are timeless) to the color (white, or something more fun?) there are a ton of tiny decisions to make along the way.
“I usually look at the material and fabric makeup, since a lot of linen pants are a blend,” says fashion stylist Olivia Rose about what she considers when shopping for, as she puts it, the “ultimate summer pant.”She adds: “Fabric choice would depend on what exactly you are looking for in the pant. If you want that lighter feeling go with 100% linen and if you want a little more weight or structure, a cotton/linen blend is great,” she says.
The best linen pants for 2023 come in just about every different print, pattern, color, and even hemline length, giving you a buffet of adorable linen bottoms to test. Ahead, we rounded up 12 of our favorite pairs to try this season, knowing full well that one of these pants will end up in your warm-weather outfit rotation.
The Best Linen Pants
LNX Linen Pants
This wide-leg, cropped style is made of a breathable linen-cotton blend and is available to shop in sizes up to 5X. You have my full permission to stock up on every single color (of which there are over a dozen). Plus, consider that they're priced at just $27. With nearly 2,500 five-star reviews on Amazon, they're an undeniable fan favorite. A true cropped pant, they're great if you're on the petite side or are just looking to show your ankles this summer.
Customer Review: "I bought 2 pairs of these pants! Love them! Sooo comfortable. They wash up easy but I hang all my clothes to dry. I don’t know if they shrink. Material is perfect for hot & humid summer days. It’s nice to find a pair of pants that meet all my needs. To remove wrinkles I put them in my dryer with a mist for a couple of minutes & they come out perfect. Did iron 1 pair one time…ugh. My ironing days are so over!" — Amazon
Abercrombie & Fitch Linen-Blend Tailored Wide Leg Pant
"ICYMI, Abercrombie has gone through a major glow-up in recent years. Gone are the days of graphic tees and distressed skinny jeans. Now I rely on the old mall brand for elevated basics like linen pants (which also come in the Curve Love line and in colors like lavender and red) When I inevitably have to battle the stuffy heat to get to the office, there's a good chance you'll find me in this pair of wide-legged lavender pants. They fit just like the brand's viral Sloane pants i.e. ultra high-waisted with flattering pleats and just the right amount of flair in the leg, only they're made with breathable linen. I plan on snatching up the lavender pair and pairing with basic tees all summer long." — Brooke Knappenberger, Editorial Fellow
Customer Review: "I bought these in white and 2 colors. The white are fully-lined, which is wonderful. They hit at the smallest part of my waist and therefore the wide legs are flattering. Long enough so you can try on your shoes and decide just how to make the length work for you. I can’t wear a really high heel and one pair of these I’ll match with flatter-heeled shoes and will need to hem - but it will be well worth it!" — Abercrombie & Fitch
Calson Tulip Hem Linen Pants
This pair of lightweight, 100 percent linen pants from Calson are my ideal summer pants. Available in four neutral colors—this black option, a classic white, an olive green, and a slate gray—and priced at well under $100, they’re a great summer piece to have in your vacation wardrobe. The brand notes that they do run large and recommends sizing down. Reviewers love them because they’re comfortable, are machine-washable (so you don’t have to hand-wash them every time you wear), and because they don’t shrink in the wash.
Customer Review: "Perfect fit - not too tight - comfortable but not baggy either. I haven’t washed them and hope they don’t shrink." — Nordstrom
J.Crew Kate Straight-Leg Pant in Stretch Linen
Not all linen pants need to come in neutral colors like cream or black. These top-rated linen pants from J.Crew are available in white and ivory, but they also come in shades like this vibrant pink. You can shop them in sizes 00 through 24 as well as three size ranges—petite, classic, and plus—to help you find the perfect option for you. They have a high rise at the waist and a straight, easy-fitting leg design through the thighs for all-day comfort.
Customer Review: "I've been looking for a pair of nice linen pants that keeps it shape all day long and these are it. I wore the black pair today for the first time to the office and by the end of the day, they still look good on me. Not all baggy and saggy in the butt area like other linen pants I've purchased in the past. I did buy the black pair in my normal size and the lighter color in a smaller size just to compare, but I think they will both fit the same. Please make a darker more camel color." — J.Crew
Banana Republic Lena Wide-Leg Linen Pants
Call it the onset of Tomato Girl summer, but fashion insiders have been seeing red this season. This pair of linen pants from Banana Republic is great because they have an easy wide-leg design with a high-rise and tailored details, making them perfect for the office or your day off. They're made from a linen blend so they won't wrinkle as easily as other options on the market and they come in three other colors if red isn't for you, including black and white.
Customer Review: None available.
Reformation Petite Vesta Pants
"As a petite person—I’m 5’2 and proud—I've struggled to find a pair of trousers that fits me without needing to be hemmed, until I found these from Reformation. This pair comes in three colors including this brown option, a black version, and a white version too. The inseam hits at 29", which means that they rest right at the top of my foot. This gives me the option to cuff them when I need to or wear a pair of sneakers or ballet flats, which I love." — Julia Marzovilla, E-Commerce Editor
Customer Review: None available.
Venus Linen Drawstring Pants
This pair of cream-colored drawstring linen pants from Venus is available to shop in sizes XS through 3X and retails for just over $30, but I love them most of all because they feel like you're wearing the comfiest-ever pair of pajamas while you run your errands. The wide-legged design is great for wearing on nighttime walks on the beach, casual summer date nights, or to wear over your bathing suit by the pool to protect your skin from the sun.
Customer Review: None available.
Zimmermann Raie Floral Crop Flare Pants
This pair of pastel floral linen pants from the Australian brand Zimmerman are made from 100 percent linen, making them one of the most breathable and lightweight options on this list. The feminine-feeling scalloped belt makes it perfect for wearing to just about any spring or summertime occasion. Style them with a button-down top for a slightly more formal look, or pair them with a white T-shirt or tank top for a more toned-down feel. The flowy leg silhouette crops just above the ankle so you can show off your favorite shoes.
UNIQLO Linen Cotton Tapered Pants
“Let it known that white pants scare the hell out of me, especially when they’re white. I’m prone to spilling on myself from time to time, so I’ve long been weary of investing in a pair. This option from UNIQLO, though, is my perfect match. They’re reasonably priced at just $50 and come in six colors including black, rose pink, and an olive green shade I’m considering buying next. I’m 5’3, so I prefer tapered, cropped pants to the usual straight- or wide-leg options, and these hit just above my ankle. Oh—and they have an elasticized waistband and a button, so they’re equal parts comfortable and office-appropriate” — Julia Marzovilla, E-Commerce Editor
Customer Review: "I love these pants because they are so adorable and they fit so well!! They are very comfortable!! I got them to have more options for work clothes!" — UNIQLO
DISSH Norah Black Linen Pant
"These DISSH pants are a great alternative to wool trousers,” Rose says of this pair of pants.“I personally wear my black wool trousers on the regular, so these are perfect for the warmer weather when I want something lighter and breathable. They are a great wardrobe staple and come in a few neutral colors.” If you’re not looking for yet another black pair of pants, shop these in shades like an all-time classic white and a very chic light beige hue.
Customer Review: none available.
Amazon Essentials Women's Linen Blend Drawstring Wide Leg Pant
These under-$40 linen pants from Amazon’s Amazon Essentials brand are available in sizes XS through 6X. You can shop them in 13 different colors including navy blue, white, tan and a burnt clay shade that works into the fall as well as in the spring and summer. The best-selling trousers have attracted over 1,000 five-star reviews, so it’s safe to say that they’re a safe investment. Users note that they’re not see-through, have a mid-rise, and run a little small, causing some reviewers to size up if they’re between sizes. However, the elasticated waistband makes them comfortable to wear all day.
Customer Review: "I got three pairs of these for a family trip to Hawaii. I wanted something breathable, moreso than my cotton knit pants, but that would be ok walking around in. These are fantastic. The fit is loose, and I did order a size up since linen does not stretch. The drawstring kept them plenty tight around my waist but the legs were baggy and breezy, which is exactly what I wanted." — Amazon
Venus Striped Wide Leg Linen Pants With Self Belt
Mastering the art of summer office dressing is a true skill, but these lightweight striped linen pants from Venus make it just a touch more attainable. The belt makes it great for tucking in your favorite blouse or T-shirt, and the slightly flared leg will work with loafers or heels. They’re available to shop in sizes 2 through 24 and aren’t sheer in the slightest, which means that you can wear them for day or night and to the office in the summer.
Customer Review: None available.
Nili Lotan Flavie Linen Pants
"It's a summer heatwave, but your office has a strict no-shorts policy, so what's one to wear? These linen blend pants —from the master of sleek, minimalist dressing, Nili Lotan. Their loose move-with-you silhouette will be your default for semi-corporate office dress codes and summer soirees— the ones where you want to look chic but stay comfortable and cool. While this pair is undoubtedly an investment buy, they will last you not just one or two summer trend cycles but years on end." — Sara Holzman, Style Director
Customer Review: None available
Luca Cotton & Linen Cargo Pants
Cargo pants are one of summer's biggest trends, so shop this breezy linen pair. The mint green color will accentuate your tan, and the utility pockets make it easy to carry all of your essentials in a pinch. Plus, they retail for under $100 and come in an ecru shade, too. Petite shoppers love them because they don't need to be hemmed, either. However, they do run on the large side, so take that into consideration before you purchase a pair for yourself.
Customer Review: "I first bought the small and the waist is very tiny. Returning them. Love the medium. Only 5" tall and they don't need to be hemmed. Had to go to medium." — Nordstrom
Posse Exclusive Ducky Oversized Paperbag-Waist Linen Pants
Australian-based label Posse has become known across the internet for their selection of luxe linen pieces and this pair of white white trousers is no exception. Prepare to live in these white 100% linen pants. While they’re designed for an oversized fit, the brand does note that they run true-to-size. The elasticated waistband and hidden zipper give them a low-key look while maintaining their luxe-looking shape. The ever-so-slightly cropped leg also gives you the perfect excuse to show off your cutest summer sandal.
Customer Review: None available.
How to Care for Linen Pants
Now that you’ve invested in your favorite pair of linen pants, there are a few things you should know about how to properly maintain them. Finding the perfect piece is only half the battle when it comes to building your dream wardrobe over time—the other half of the journey is making sure that you tend to your pieces so that they don’t need to be replaced. That’s why I turned to Theresa and Corinna Williams, the co-founders of Celsious, a sustainable garment care provider and laundromat in Brooklyn, New York. Ahead, they break down everything you need to know before you throw them in the wash with the rest of your clothes.
- “Make sure to always sort your clothes by color before washing to prevent dye transfer,” they said over email.
- “Wash your pants together with like colors only. Zip up zippers and turn your pants inside out before washing.”
- “Ideally, machine wash on a delicate cycle – to reduce shrinkage, which linen, especially if it has not been pre-washed, is prone to – with cool water and a gentle detergent. Our Corewash works great!”
- “Always steer clear of bleach and softeners, which can weaken fibers and hinder breathability. If you are worried about shrinkage—linen can shrink an average of 4% with its first wash—consider going for a hand wash, massaging your garment lightly, and never wringing it out.”
- “Before tossing your pants in the dryer, double-check the care label on whether they can be tumble dried. If they can, dry with wool dryer balls on low, which will also help loosen up wrinkles. If not, hang your pants to dry. For a wrinkle-free finish, iron or steam. The Steamery Cirrus 3 can do both!).”
Can You Wear Linen Pants in the Fall?
The short answer is yes. While linen pants are commonly associated with warm-weather dressing, some pairs—especially options that come in darker shades like black or brown—can be easily styled in the falltime. Take Meghan Markle, for example, who teamed her linen pants with a silk blouse while in Germany in September 2023.
The key to making linen pants work in the fall is pairing them with equally dark-toned pieces or styling them with thicker fabrics like knit tops and sweaters. Plus, swapping your open-toed sandals for a pair of loafers or ballet flats can easily transition your summertime staple into colder weather.
Meet The Expert
Olivia Rose
Olivia moved from her small New England town to Nashville to study music business at Belmont University. She found her ideal place in the industry through the intersection between music and fashion. After assisting celebrity stylists in New York and Nashville, she built her own client base of musical artists, celebrities, commercial brands and personal styling clients. From red carpet events to music video wardrobe, Olivia works with Luke Combs, Brother Maven, Kev Kelly, Avery Anna, Peytan Porter and more. She strive to incorporate a unique and personal story with each look she styles, and believes that developing a connection with her clients is essential in cultivating a sustainable creative image that will stand out. I Olivia has also worked with brands including Cartier, Frye, Kate Spade, Kendra Scott, and many more.
Theresa and Corinna Williams
Theresa and Corinna Williams are the co-founders of Celsious, New York’s premium sustainable laundry service and online destination for garment care solutions.Their Celsious line features 100% biodegradable products formulated free of dyes, bleaches and preservatives.
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Julia Marzovilla
Fashion E-Commerce Editor
Julia Marzovilla is the Fashion E-Commerce Editor at Marie Claire, where she covers everything from the latest beauty and fashion launches and sales to celebrity outfits and news. She also creates shopping guides that span every vertical on the site. 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 STYLECASTER. In her spare time, Julia can be found creating shopping guides for all of her friends, spending too much money on yet another pair of black boots, and cooking in her far-too-small kitchen.
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