17 best linen trousers for an effortlessly chic look this summer

Eco-conscious label Nobody’s Child has nailed the brief with this classic pair of linen trousers. Cut into a flattering wide leg, the trouser’s boast a high drawstring waist and extra-long length that creates a body-skimming silhouette. Crafted from a viscose-blended linen, the trousers are pleasingly lightweight and breathable.

The perfect throw-on-and-go pair, style with a white tee and colourful trainers for a simple work look or a cropped cami and chunky sliders for an easy holiday outfit.

We also love the olive green version – a colourway bang on trend for SS23.

A garishly good piece from LA label Simon Miller’s capsule collection with Mango, these printed linen trousers are just at home in a festival field as they are on the beach. Crafted from pure linen, the wide-leg palazzo silhouette matches the Seventies feel of the orange sun print.

The flattering high waist is complete with a concealed size zip and sweeping long-length (even on our 6ft tester’s frame). A statement summer trouser, style with a simple white vest and chunky sandals and let the linen pants take centre stage.

Thanks to their laid-back look and pyjama style, striped trousers are everywhere this summer. Crafted from impressively lightweight linen, Reformation’s Ava trousers are a dream to wear during balmy days. Characterised by their low-rise waist and slightly cropped silhouette, the loose fit and wide-leg cut adds to their comfort appeal.

Finished in a light grey striped finish, they’re just as suited to promenading in the south of France as they are lounging at home. They are pricey, but the quality and timeless design will see you get your cost-per-wear.

If you’re after a flattering high-waisted fit, look no further than Never Fully Dressed’s Demi linen trousers. The loose fit is teamed with a drawstring paper-bag-style elastic waist that gives the trousers some structure.

Tailored from soft linen with a subtly flared wide leg, the lightweight and breathable design comes in white (our favourite), brown and orange. On hot days, when you fancy a bit more coverage than a dress, style the trousers with sliders and a wafty white linen shirt.

These mega trousers from sustainable label Damson Madder lean into the pyjama-wear as outerwear trend. Finished in a pink-and-green stripe, cargo pocket detailing elevates the wide-leg design, while an adjustable waistband helps get the perfect fit. Loose and lightweight, they offer breathable comfort for hot days, with the colour palette brightening up your ensembles.

Ideal for beach days but just as wearable to the office with a white Tee and trainers, they’ve fast become a summer staple in our wardrobe.

Owing to demand, the pair has sold out in every size since launching, but you can sign up to be notified by email when they’re restocked.

Embracing the Noughties-inspired low-rise waist, Urban Outfitters’ khaki linen trousers are a cool yet comfortable choice for summer. Crafted from a soft linen blend, the trousers fall into a wide-fit leg with pintucked front detailing adding a smart touch. Belt loops help you accessorise your look, while the sweeping floor-length cut is an on-trend choice.

It’s safe to say we’re smitten with Me+Em’s linen trousers. Coming in a sand (almost sold out, so be quick) or an “eclipse” navy hue, the effortlessly chic style is complete with a wide-leg cut, high-waist fit and matching tie belt.

Adding to the cool appeal, the trousers are characterised by their soft draped silhouette and wrap design, which sweeps down into a cut-out on each leg. Supremely comfortable, thanks to the breathable lyocell linen fabric, the trousers remained crease-free after a day at our desk. We’d suggest taking a size up from your usual, for a Raey-style oversized fit.

Asos’s pocket-friendly trousers are crafted from a linen-mix fabric that’s soft and lightweight. Classic with a contemporary twist, the “dad” style silhouette features a low-rise waist with pleated details and belt loops. Cut into a baggy wide-leg, we love the inflated look of the pair, while the black colourway is a fail-safe year-round choice.

Though not as lightweight and breathable as pure linen designs, Asos’s pair make up for it in price. We’ll be styling them with white trainers and a matching black blazer to take us from our desk to dinner.

These Free People trousers are characterised by a super-low-rise waist – divisive but on trend. If you’re looking to lean into the trend, the retro-inspired label’s Lyla trousers are an effortlessly cool take. Crafted from a pure linen fabric, the pair fall into a wide-leg silhouette with classic pleating at the top and a cuffed bottom hem for added detail.

They come up quite short, making the trousers a good option for petite dressers, or you can roll down the hem for a longer fit. The pebble colourway embodies the feeling of summer, while the new black hue will take you right through to winter, too.

Those who favour a more tailored approach to summer dressing should look no further than AllSaints’ linen blend trousers. The grunge-inspired label’s Deri linen blend trousers are an ideal choice for smart occasions or the office during the balmier months.

Shaped into a statement wide-leg silhouette, the pair boast a flattering mid-rise waist, waistband with belt loops and classic front pleating. Angled side-seam pockets are a practical touch, while the lyocell and linen blend is wafty and lightweight. It even comes with a matching waistcoat (£96, Allsaints.com).

An elevated staple for summer and beyond, eco-conscious label Albaray’s linen trousers put a sophisticated twist on the cargo trend. The relaxed, wide leg is teamed with a drawstring waistband and cargo pockets, with the soft and airy design providing winning comfort for hot days.

Crafted from 100 per cent linen (responsibly sourced), the lightweight trousers are characterised by their wearable and classic natural finish. Easily dressed up for dinner with heeled mules or paired with white trainers for off-duty style, Albaray’s comfortable cargos have you covered for the office, holidays, WFH days and more.

If you love wide-leg trousers, you’ll love this floaty pair from Everlane. Made with 100 per cent linen, they’re the real deal, billowing down to the floor with a lightweight, voluminous silhouette that’s lovely to float around in when the temperature rises.

Stretching your wardrobe further, these are great when the weather calls for loose, cool clothing but the occasion is more formal – with the combination of pleats, belt straps and non-stretch waist-band affording them smart-casual status, they’re perfect for the office. The linen itself is lightweight and slightly sheer, though this won’t be an issue when you pair them with the right underwear, but it’s worth noting that these came up slightly large on our tester.

The throwback trend for cargo trousers shows no signs of waning. Hush’s take is one of our favourites, thanks to their pyjama-style comfort and lightweight fabric. Crafted from a breathable linen-blend, they’re cut into a loose, floaty fit with a comfortable relaxed drawstring waist adding to their appeal.

Whether teamed with a matching white linen shirt or black tee for some contrast, you’ll reach for them again and again this summer. If your size in the white is sold out, they also come in tan.

Coming in five wearable colours, from black to beige or blue, River Island’s wide-leg linen trousers are a staple investment for your capsule wardrobe. Pleasingly affordable at just £35, the lightweight linen blend fabric is soft against skin, while the elasticated waistband is a comfortable detail. Shaped into a subtly wide-leg fit, the simple yet sleek design can be easily dressed up with heels and a shirt or down with sliders and a vest.

This pair of trousers proves you don’t need to spend a fortune on linen this summer. The tailored silhouette lends itself well to being worn to the office, but the design can certainly be styled for a more casual look too, by pairing them with a baby tee and white trainer, for example.

While the name suggests they’ll have an oversized wide-leg fit, on us, we found them to have more of a straight cut. While the white and black colourways are likely to go with everything in your wardrobe, if you’re looking for a pop of colour, they’re also available in pink.

Super wide leg silhouettes are very à la mode for summer 2023 and we love Topshop’s laidback take. The cool trousers are crafted from pure linen and has a lightweight and wafty feel. The flattering low rise waist boasts a concealed fly with smart pleated detailing elevating the design.

Finished in a bold green hue, the linen pair will inject some colour into your summer and transitional wardrobe. We’ll be styling with a tank top and thong sandals on holiday and a cropped cardigan when the weather cools off. If you prefer, they also come in white (£50, Asos.com).

Also available in black and navy blue colourways, this straight-leg pair from The White Company will be perfect for beach days, lounging and casual brunch dates. Made with cool, European linen and finished with ribbed detailing, the trousers cinch in comfortably with an elasticated waistband and drawstring, and fall into a loose straight-leg fit. The slightly sheer style of the linen means the pockets are just visible through the material, which results in a lightweight, laid-back look. If, like our tester, you tend to find trousers from the high street come up slightly too long, it’s worth noting there were no such issues with this pair.