Linen pants are really the only pants I will wear come summer. They’re soft, lightweight and super comfortable. Since linen is a breathable and lightweight fabric, it’s a must-have for easy summer outfits.
Plus, linen is just breezy and effortless and that is exactly what I look for in my clothing when it’s 95 degrees out and humid as can be. It’s one of my go to tips for choosing summer outfits!
Linen pants are perfect for heading to the beach in, dressed up with a heel or espadrille, and sometimes depending on the silhouette and fit, can for sure be worn to the office.
Whether it’s wide leg linen pants (a favorite for summer since minimal fabric touching my body is ideal), to a more tailored pant for the office, or a pair of casual drawstring linen pants, today is all about styling this classic piece for summer outfits.
How To Style Linen Pants
Keep Proportions In Mind
Linen is oftentimes a bit more flowy, and loose and can wrinkle easily. So keeping your proportions in mind can help to balance out the more loose and casual fit of linen pants.
A few options include a fitted bodysuit, a tucked-in top, or a nice tailored blouse for something dressier. Then you can leave the top undone and loose. This gives the illusion of creating shape. A top and bottom that’s linen and relaxed will make it look like you’re wearing pajamas if you don’t accessorize and style it the right way. Roll up the sleeves, add lots of great jewelry, and wear an on trend bag to pull the whole look together.
Think Twice When Going For Head To Toe Linen
If you’re planning on doing head to toe linen, I think it’s best to stick to a monochromatic look. Linen can very easily look messy so keeping a clean line of a monochromatic palette helps with that. You can also at least choose colors that are close to one another. Think white and creams, or varying shades of tans and beige.
Sticking to this will help create a longer line with your body too. I also think a more tailored fit is best. A more tailored slim pant with a button-down shirt, or a wide leg trouser paired with a slim fitting tank. I will say though, I do love a short and top set. But again, that’s less fabric to get messy and wrinkled!
Choose The Appropriate Shoes For Your Linen Pants
When it comes to shoes, the rule is simple: keep them seasonal. I have a full breakdown of the best shoes to wear with linen pants below, but the short version is — think sandals, espadrilles and summer flats, and leave the leather pumps for fall.
How To Accessorize Linen Pants
When I grab a pair of linen pants to wear, I like to add a few essential accessories. I find a nice leather belt elevates the look and is a good contrast to the summery fabric.
For light layers, a denim jacket is a great option for something casual, or a cotton blazer. And when it comes to bags, I like to either go full on summer in jute or something woven, or a classic leather bag to contrast the linen.
Fabrics To Pair (and not pair) With Linen
This goes back to any sort of summer styling tips in my book. If it’s summer, lean into summer fabrics. And if it’s winter, lean into winter fabrics. The only time you can really cross over the two is during spring and fall to transition from season to season.
So while I may pair linen pants with a leather blazer or jacket, I’d probably do it in late summer, early fall to mix up my looks for the season. I think you’re safe to style any cotton, linen or linen blend, with linen pants for summer.
And as you head into fall, or ease into spring, you can try to pair them with fabrics like leather or wool blends (think a work blazer) to transition. In the dead of summer though, I’d only wear cotton and linen and that’s it. Keep all other fabrics in the closet until the weather starts to change.
How To Style Cropped Linen Pants
Let your shoes shine! I love a cropped pant as it allows you to be able to wear them with a bold statement shoe. Think a fun sandal or bold wedge. Something that’s unique and can be shown off by the shorter inseam.
How To Style Linen Trousers
This is probably my favorite trend for summer right now. Linen trousers, especially a more wide leg relaxed fit, are great with a simple fitted cotton tank and leather strappy sandal. A linen trouser also is easy to style for everyday, a night out with friends, or to the office. A slightly wider fit is a great option that will be really versatile to style.
What to Wear With Linen Pants: Easy Casual Outfits
Now that we know a general idea of how to style our linen pants, these are a few essential pieces I like to wear with my linen pants. They feel easy and effortless and always seem to work.
Fitted Tank Tops
These tuck in nicely into a looser linen pant and are easy to style. I like a ribbed cotton tank, cropped or tucked in works great.
Linen Or Cotton Top
I like to go linen on linen for a matching look. But you can always do other types of cotton tops like a chambray cotton shirt, a relaxed cotton tee or a graphic tee.
A Structured Third Piece
Adding a third piece is always a good idea when it comes to completing your looks. Try a structured third piece like a summery blazer that’s slightly oversized, or a cropped utility jacket.
Best Shoes To Wear With Linen Pants
Since linen pants are strictly a summer pant, it’s crucial to make sure your shoes match the look. Keep shoes seasonally appropriate and light. Avoid anything heavy, like chunky sneakers or heavy leather shoes.
Strappy Sandals
The perfect option is a strappy sandal. Whether it’s one with a heel, or a flat, a strappy sandal lets your skin show a bit and matches the summer vibe.
Summer Loafer Or Flat
A summer flat can be a woven leather or rattan style ballet flat, mule or loafer. Avoid heavy and chunky leather shoes here as they will weigh down your look and add almost too much contrast.
Summer Sneakers
A lightweight fashion is a great shoe choice to pair with your linen pants for a casual summer look. Try something in canvas like a pair of Converse or a light white sneaker. But personally, this only really works with shorts in my opinion. I prefer a sandal paired with a linen trouser or wide leg linen pant.
Espadrilles
Espadrilles are a quintessential summer shoe. I love to pair an espadrille with everything from wide leg linen pants outfits to linen shorts and everything in-between.
How to Dress Up Linen Pants
Dressing up linen pants is so easy and a great way to wear this breathable, lightweight fabric for summer evenings. For the office, try linen trousers with a polished button down and sandal. And for nights out with friends or a date, pair a cool linen pant with a strappy heel and a fun top.
It’s also all about the accessories when you’re dressing up linen pants. Add lots of fun summer jewelry and accessories to fully complete the look.
Linen Pants Outfit Ideas
What To Wear With Linen Pants For A Work Outfit
I love this simple minimal sort of quiet luxury style outfit featuring linen trousers. These are the Aritzia Effortless linen trousers and they are so good. They run a bit small and I sized up two whole sizes for a more relaxed fit.
I paired it with a cotton fitted tank, leather belt and strappy leather sandals. Add a straw tote for the perfect linen pant accessory.
To make this look appropriate for the office, I’d simply swap the tank for a nicer top and you’re good to go. You could also add a lightweight jacket or blazer over it to complete the look for a business casual 9-5 outfit idea.
Linen Joggers And Leather Sandal With A Fitted Tank For An Everyday Outfit
These Old Navy joggers are a favorite of mine. These summer pants are really easy to throw on and go in too. Just add a leather sandal (love a more chunky one) and a fitted tank. To add a third layer, the denim jacket is the perfect accessory along with a straw bag. To me, this is the PERFECT summer outfit in linen pants.
You could also try the Old Navy wide leg linen pants. The white linen pants would be perfect for a beach vacation and as a cover-up option too. I’d still style this the same way! Plus, you can always add a cropped jacket to pair with this, whether it’s denim or canvas style jacket.
Business Casual Linen Short Suit Set
While this may not be appropriate for the office, I know some places it may work. A linen pant suit set, whether it’s a long trouser or long Bermuda style short, is a great business casual outfit to try with linen pants. If you’re wondering what to wear with a linen short set, try a fitted tee and a summer sneaker. For something more dressy, swap the shoe for a strappy block heel sandal or a pair of espadrilles.
Linen Shorts Outfits That Are Dressy And Casual
When I just need to throw something on and go, it’s usually my linen pull on shorts. So easy and comfortable. You can also very easily dress them up or down. To dress them down, I like a simple sandal or even my plastic Birkenstocks and a cotton tee.
You could then dress them up really easily with a nicer top and some gold jewelry, and add a block heel or espadrille. Anytime I travel to a warm weather destination, these are a must pack for me!
Matching Striped Linen Trousers For Summer
If you want to feel super summery, try striped linen trousers. The blue and white stripe is a nautical nod and feels super summery. I love this matching set since you can mix and match it to create even more outfits. Love to add a straw bag and strappy brown sandal to complete this look.
Linen Pants Beach Outfit
I love a linen cargo for a more trendy vibe to the linen pant trend. These are relaxed and casual and make a great beach cover-up. Add a matching linen button down and you’ve got the perfect beach look or casual afternoon outfit for summer. This white linen pants outfit is lightweight and breezy, perfect for warm summer days. Here’s how to style linen cargos a few more ways.
Linen Co-Ord Set
There’s nothing better than an effortless linen co-ord set to style. This one is an Amazon favorite and perfect for summer months. Style it with sandals and a big straw hat. You could easily add a wedge espadrille here to dress it up a bit, too.
Wide Leg Linen Pants Outfit
Go wide in a super wide leg linen pant and pair it with something more structured on top. This is the perfect time to opt for a linen vest and simple sandals. You can also just go full-blown oversized and add a matching button down to the look. The oversized fit can be balanced by rolling up the sleeves and leaving a few buttons undone at the top and bottom of the shirt.
Brown Linen Balloon Pants (Or Joggers)
The balloon pant trend is having a big moment this summer, and the perfect way to try it is with a brown linen version. These are a cross between a jogger and a balloon pant, some are much wider and more voluminous. I love how easy these are to style though. Simply add a slim sandal like these white leather ones, and a pretty top. I’m usually more hesitant in adding something more flowy on top, but because of the jogger style and cinch at the ankle, it can work.
I’ve also styled these with a fitted white tank tucked in, and an oversized button down over top open and relaxed. The fitted first layer helps to ground the outfit and balance it.
Are Linen Pants in Style?
Linen pants are always in style for the summer season. Between the linen fabric being ideal for hot temperatures and the various styles they come in, you can always find a great linen pant option. Currently, a “quiet luxury” aesthetic is emerging, featuring linen trousers styled with minimalist items and a monochromatic color palette. But linen pants are also a great piece to reach for on casual days too styled with simple sandals and a tank.
If you haven’t added linen pants to your summer wardrobe, now is the time to do it. From more tailored linen trousers to relaxed pull on cargo, linen pants are the perfect option for those warm summer days.
