Goodbye, clingy legs. We'll be back in our skinny jeans by autumn; for now, out come the linen trousers for a look that stays cool and still looks polished. If you're not yet convinced, here are the rules and the real benefits that come with linen.
When the days stretch out hot, we look for a fabric that lets skin breathe — and linen is the one we keep coming back to. Why does it survive summer after summer without losing its nerve? Or, rather, while embracing every crease? Because it delivers what it promises.
A pair that works everywhere
It will become your road-trip partner, simply because linen is unbeatably comfortable. This natural fibre, taken from the stem of the flax plant, lets air circulate and absorbs moisture without clinging to the skin, which is why it feels instantly fresh even when the day goes on and on.
Better still, it softens with every wash. It's the kind of wardrobe piece that improves with time.
And because it comes in so many styles, linen trousers work with every look: smart, casual, sporty, bohemian... There is a pair for every mood.
Flattering on every shape
On the silhouette front, if you have curves, wide-leg or high-waisted styles are the most flattering: they drape over the hips and avoid the compressed effect you get with some rigid fabrics.
If you're petite, lengthen the leg with a pair of wedges or platform shoes — no need to hem them. Wear them with a short top, without necessarily showing your midriff, and avoid a tunic that can swamp the silhouette.
And for smaller frames, there's no reason to rule them out: take your usual size and choose a fitted top so you don't disappear under all that fabric.
As a natural fibre, linen lets air circulate and creases without apology.
Generally, to avoid looking shapeless in a wide-leg pair, team linen trousers with a fitted top rather than a loose one, or at most a fitted blouse that isn't too long. The rule is simple: volume below, neat above.
For accessories, try a long pendant necklace for a more sophisticated finish, a hat, or a crossbody bag for practicality.
Our edit
A casual pair that promises all-day comfort: a tie waist under belt loops and large pockets, in white, sand or khaki. Somewhere at La Redoute.
An elegant linen trouser with a belt through the loops, from 3 Suisses. Also available in black.
A straight-leg sand linen trouser from Promod.
A chocolate-brown trouser with fine gold and white stripes, made from a linen-rich blend with a little cotton (the stripes look yellow from a distance, but they are properly gold). La Redoute Création.
Availability in the UK varies by brand, so check delivery before you order.
It isn't beach-and-do-nothing time yet — not for us, anyway — but there's no harm in pretending. Avoid flip-flops in the office (unless you can get away with them, obviously) and choose a wide, fluid trouser that feels lighter than denim or cotton.
You don't have to wait for your holiday to wear linen: choose the right cut, add a neat top and you're effortlessly elegant.
Wash linen trousers at 30°C, ideally line dry, and iron them while still slightly damp: it's the best way to keep their drape without flattening it.
What to budget
Expect to pay around £25–£55 for a basic pair of linen trousers on the high street, and more like £60–£110 for a more considered cut or a heavier linen. The price rises with the proportion of linen: 100% linen often costs a little more than a cotton blend, which is easier to live with day to day. Worth watching the end-of-season sales, when sizes are still available.
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