Easy breezy, but effortlessly tailored at the same time, linen trousers are key to building your perfect summer capsule wardrobe. Of course you'll need other summer staples like a basic vest top, chunky sandals and a pair of statement sunglasses, but, as far as trousers go, linen will be your hot weather saviour.
Apart from their ability to elevate any given outfit, linen trousers are also especially valuable during those sweltering days in the city where you want to stay cool but don't necessarily want to wear a pair of shorts. They're also typically crease-proof, making them perfect for vacation packing, and for even more good news, linen trousers don't have to cost a fortune, either. M&S's linen selection is impressive (we all remember the pair that went viral last summer) with an affordable starting price of just £25, and Aligne's linen offering is something you can only conjure up in a dream. Elsewhere, ARKET and Mango offer wonderful linen blends in neutral shades of cream and off-white.
Best Linen Trousers At A Glance:
In terms of styling, Victoria Beckham's SS24 offers endless inspiration, sending models down the runway in white linen trousers with a matching grandad-collar shirt and a cream clutch. Matching a waistcoat to your linen trousers is another option for something more sophisticated, or a simple open-weave tank top for a more casual day-time ensemble.
Shop our pick of the best linen trousers for this summer, including H&M's sell-out pair.
Shop: The Best Linen Trousers
H&M www2.hm.com
H&M's linen selection is currently incredible, so it's no surprise these linen-blend trousers are selling fast. Available in a range of colours, our favourite being this pale yellow, shop while you still can.
M&Swww.marksandspencer.com
Every year M&S release a pair of linen trousers that become the most popular style, and we have a sneaky feeling these are the ones this year. Made from pure linen that'll have you feeling cool all summer long, they can also be dressed up as the front pleats and on-trend carrot-shaped leg add a more tailored touch.
& Other Storieswww.stories.com
If you're investing in one staple pair of linen trousers this summer, let it be these ones from & Other Stories. The best part about these trousers is that they're available as part of an entire linen set, with a Tailored Linen Waistcoat and Fitted Linen Blazer. Once you've got all three parts of this set on, you'll practically feel (and look) like the sunshine.
Reisswww.reiss.com
These Reiss trousers are individually dyed so that no two pairs look the exact same. With a high-rise style that looks incredibly chic when tucked into a basic tank top, these trousers are perfect for a laid-back outfit - especially when paired with an oversized rattan bag and a chunky pair of white sandals.
COSwww.cos.com
We can take quite a good guess that this pair of wide-leg trousers from high street hero COS, are not going to be in stock for long. The closest you'll get to a pair of laid-back linen trousers you'll still look chic in, these trousers also feature a comfortable drawstring waist and wide legs.
Uniqlowww.uniqlo.com
For a linen trouser that has a slightly more formal and tapered look, Uniqlo has released a pair that is perfect for wearing into the office when it's too hot to wear anything else. The trousers are available in five different colours; beige, white, black, pink and olive and can be purchased alongside the Linen BlendShirt for the full linen set.
Mangowww.asos.com
Linen trousers don't just come in neutral colours. Sometimes it makes a nice change to invest in a pair of linen trousers in a colour you usually wouldn't gravitate towards. This blue colour strikes the balance between bright, but not too out of your comfort zone that you wouldn't get any wear out of them.
Ralph Laurenwww.ralphlauren.co.uk
You can't go wrong with a pair of Ralph Lauren linen trousers, especially when they have a classic drawcord-waist and large front pockets. What we love about these trousers is their versatility; wear them in the spring with a light cotton jumper, in the summer with a longline tank top, or in the autumn with a chunky roll neck and leather jacket.
Abercrombie & Fitchwww.abercrombie.com
Another bright pair of linen trousers on the list, this time it's in a blush pink and has a more tailored fit. These Abercrombie trousers are perfect for petite and tall girls that struggle with finding a pair of trousers that aren't too long or too short. That's because they're available in three different lengths; short, regular and long.
Max Marawww.net-a-porter.com
Max Mara is best known for creating must-have coats for every season, but we love a brand that can do it all. These linen trousers, with its airy linen-blend gauze and flowing wide leg is ideal for this season. A pop of colour is always welcomed come summertime, too.
ME+EMwww.meandem.com
ME+EM is a brand that should be your first port of call for when you're looking to invest in those wardrobe staples - think jeans, t-shirts and linen trousers. These fluid, straight-leg trousers are made from an extremely comfortable linen-blend that has been made and produced in Portugal.
What tops go with linen trousers?
The great thing about linen trousers is that they're really versatile and can go with almost anything. For a more casual look, pair your trousers with a lightweight cotton, or even linen blouse. Double linen can also look more formal if you add a couple of accessories, like a brown bag, belt and loafers, and throw a knitted jumper over your shoulders. This will really elevate your outfit and make it feel a little more office-ready.
Alternatively, if Hailey Bieber is your muse then you might want to style your linen trousers into something that's more reminiscent of the street style we see on her nowadays, such as a cropped tank top or baby tee.
Is linen good for summer?
If you find yourself overheating the second the sun comes out, then linen is a great choice. Linen is a light fabric that allows air to circulate freely, and it also has moisture-wicking properties to ensure you stay cool at all times. There's a reason why linen is the best fabric for the summer, year after year.
Gemma Lavers is a Fashion Writer at Bauer Media, writing for brands like Grazia, heat and Closer. Gemma specialises in all things clothing and enjoys outfit planning (especially for holidays), scrolling social media for the next trend and shopping (probably for a new coat).