Even if your summer holiday plans are currently more Margate than the Maldives, the recent spell of warm weather calls for lighter layers. A pair of linen trousers will prove a versatile foundation for your wardrobe, being office-appropriate when paired with a smart shirt and strappy sandals or worn open and billowing over swimwear for #OOO days.
As well as being timelessly chic, crisp, high quality linen always looks – and feels – cool, making it ideal for the office commute, as well as balmy days spent strolling in the park, on the beach, or wherever else your summer sojourns take you.
As a chronic over-packer, introducing breezy linen layers has saved me crucial space in my suitcase. Loose trousers, a long-sleeved shirt or a belted dress are easily reworked from a day's lounging by the pool to a smart evening out.
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Look to Meghan, Duchess of Sussex who favours the quiet luxury appeal of linen separates. She opted for an oatmeal waistcoat and trousers from St Agni at a work summit in the Hamptons last summer, and Ralph Lauren's luxe silk and linen blend two-piece suit to speak at the Time100 Summit in April (you can shop her exact jacket and trousers now).
Meanwhile, a scan of recent street style reinforces the versatile appeal of linen, where casual wide-leg trousers are paired with a white blouse and tan leather sandals, or worn as an oversized co-ord shrugged on insouciantly at Milan Fashion Week.
Linen trousers with a slimmer leg and flat-front waistband are more suitable for formal settings (team with a matching jacket or last year's ubiquitous waistcoat), while looser, wide-cut styles with a drawstring waist are perfect for off-duty days – pair with a ribbed cotton tank, broderie anglaise blouse or oversized tee.
Best linen trousers for women: the top 6
- Best striped linen trousers: H&M Wide Linen-Blend Trousers, £34.99
- Best butter yellow linen trousers: Mango Straight-Fit Linen Trousers With Bow, was £60 now £35.99
- Best relaxed linen trousers: Aligne Alara Linen Wide Leg Trouser, was £99 now £84.99
- Best investment linen trousers: Polo Ralph Lauren Herringbone Linen Tapered Trouser, was £349 now £279
- Best workwear linen trousers: H&M Belted Linen-Blend Trousers, was £45 now £38
- Best linen blend jeans: Reiss Ashby Linen-Cotton Wide-Leg Trousers, £150
6 Best Linen Trouser Styles For Summer
There's an ideal pair of linen trousers for everyone and every occasion. From high street to premium, work wear or weekend, consider this your ultimate guide to the perennial summer staple.
The Striped Linen Trousers
Forever our style crush, Sienna Miller opted for a blue and white striped linen trouser suit from Ralph Lauren to attend Wimbledon in 2023. With a flattering tie-up waist, she paired it with a navy woven bag, Missoma earrings, black sunglasses and platform heels. Whether you opt for olive, charcoal or classic navy and white, a striped linen trouser adds a preppy accent to any look.
H&M Wide Linen-Blend Trousers
Uniqlo Linen Blend Easy Trousers
The Butter Yellow Linen Trousers
Undoubtedly the colour of the season, a pair of linen trousers rendered in butter yellow brings the item instantly up to date. At Milan Fashion Week infuencer Emilie Joseph paired a pale yellow pinstripe pair with a black blazer, heels and cateye sunglasses for a sharp take on the trend.
Toteme Striped Jacquard Wide-Leg Pants
The Relaxed Linen Trousers
Sharing glimpses of a sun-soaked trip on Instagram, Gwyneth Paltrow looked effortless in a pair of loose-fitting white linen trousers, black vest top and aviator shades. With a billowing wide-leg cut and elasticated waistband, the relaxed linen trouser is comfortable, stylish and practical (and key for channelling the spirit of The Talented Mr Ripley or Vicky Cristina Barcelona).
With Nothing Underneath The Palazzo Trousers
Zara Linen Palazzo Trousers
The Investment Linen Trousers
Synonymous with high quality fabrics, sharp tailoring and subtle elegance, buy into the quiet luxury movement with a pair of sleek formal linen trousers. From Loro Piana's polished pleated herringbone style to Ralph Lauren's military-inspired cargo trouser, an expertly cut, well made pair of linen trousers will never date, making it a smart investment for seasons to come. Opt for neutral tones of oatmeal, slate or taupe and combine with a linen waistcoat now and a cashmere knit on cooler days.
Loro Piana Nyack Pleated Herringbone Linen Wide-Leg Pants
The Workwear Linen Trousers
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex lent her endorsement to the high street wearing a pair of fitted linen trousers from Zara in the second episode of With Love, Meghan, combining them with the now sold-out Takao sweater from Loro Piana. The right pair of formal linen trousers will make light work of office dressing: look for pleats, a flat-front waistband and structure. Shades of classic white, beige or pale blue have instant appeal – just add an oversized shirt and loafers.
Zara Linen Straight-Leg Trousers
H&M Belted Linen-Blend Trousers
The Linen Blend Jeans
Adding linen to denim increases softness, comfort, durability and structure, so consider updating your jeans collection with a linen pair for summer. The Row has a bleached, mid-rise linen jean for SS25, but there are also worthy options from Reiss, 'S Max Mara and Citizens of Humanity.
Reiss Ashby Linen-Cotton Wide-Leg Trousers
Citizens of Humanity Argent Ayla Linen Wide-Leg Pants
How to care for linen
Due diligence when laundering will ensure your linen pieces last for years to come. One should check each care label before washing, but as a general rule; hand-wash in lukewarm water and use a mild detergent, or spin on the gentlest machine cycle for a minimal time. Resist the urge to tumble dry and remove linen quickly from the machine to avoid wrinkles settling, then lay items flat on a drying rack or hang to air dry. Press with an iron while still damp, or use the steam function for a sharp finish.
How to avoid creases in linen
The stiffness of linen fibres is what gives it added ventilation and a favourable cooling effect, but also why it's more prone to folds and wrinkles. While these are part of its charm, if you're wary of looking a little too relaxed, look for a linen blend containing silk, viscose or polyester which will add structure and make the fabric more crease-resistant.
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Esther Coombes is the Senior Ecommerce Editor at Harper’s Bazaar, ELLE and Esquire, overseeing luxury shopping content across fashion, beauty, travel and homes. She graduated from London College of Fashion with a First Class BA in Fashion Journalism in 2010, and has since worked at Marie-Claire, Easy Living, GLAMOUR and Women’s Health.
She held positions as Senior Fashion and Beauty Executive, Senior Lifestyle Executive and Content Lead during her nine years at HELLO! and HELLO! Fashion, creating editorial and branded content across the lifestyle sector and interviewing talent and experts including Lisa Eldridge, Jo Malone and Katie Jane Hughes for print and digital features.
With exacting standards and a critical eye for editing new launches, she enjoys recommending readers best in class products and experiences, be that a glow-giving skin tint, a boutique hotel stay or the perfect slingback stiletto.
In her spare time you can find her at a spin or reformer class or streaming the latest zeitgeisty podcast or television drama. You can follow Esther on Instagram at @esthercoombes.
