1- Enza Costa wide leg linen pants | $132 at Shopbop
2- Hope Was linen trouser | $227 at Totokaelo
3- Vince linen cargo jogger | $295 at Vince
4- Caslon drawstring linen pants | $59 at Nordstrom
5- Black Crane wide leg linen culottes | $145 at La Garconne (my outfit here)
When I posted about my new Black Crane linen culottes, Jenne asked for more linen pants recommendations, so…
When it comes to linen, I’m equal opportunity; I love it all. But I always look for linen pants once summer rolls around, and have never found a pair I truly loved on ME, until Black Crane, of course. Linen is hard to fit, because it stretches, unless it’s a blend (another reason why I really love the super-wide leg style of the Black Crane pants; they won’t stretch out at all, because they don’t touch the body). It also wrinkles, and can be rather sheer.
Aesthetically, I prefer straight or wide-leg linen pants with a drawstring, keeping them very casual. I love the look of white linen pants, but couldn’t do them myself. And a good linen pant can be hard to find for a work environment, but Theory & J Crew have a couple of good options that are lined and will keep their shape better with wear.
I did try on the James Perse linen pants a couple of times (of course I did), because I really wanted to like them on me, but I didn’t. I sized up to a size 3 and even then they were quite snug on my thighs. The problem is that if I’d bought them in that size, they would have stretched to accommodate my thighs, but then would have been too large around my waist/hips, making them look rather more unkempt that I’d like.
I also tried on the Eileen Fisher pair and they were not great – I wish they’d been straight all the way down instead of tapered at the bottom. And I’ve always wanted to try the SoLow pair (I am a huge fan of the brand) but they’re never in stock in my size at Nordstrom, and I don’t love the fold down waist.
Do you wear linen pants in the summer? What’s your favorite pair? your favorite style? How do you wear them? strictly casual, or for work?
More of my favorite linen pants:
[show_boutique_widget id=”258285″]
No linen pants for me. Perhaps I would wear them if I lived in a beach community!
I have a few linen and linen-cotton blend shirts in my closet for summer that I like to pair with white jeans and cropped pants, but I don’t own any linen bottoms.
Ah – I ran to a thrift store at lunch that I hadn’t visited in a while – came away with 2 pairs of Eileen Fisher pants – one linen, one silk – and a pair of Talbots wide leg linen pants as well. And some JJill linen shorts. Some of the pants are are little sloppier than I would like for in public, but I’m not going to pass up nice linen for $2.99 – I’ll wear it at home if nothing else! Though I imagine I will wear most in public – probably with a more fitted tank to compensate for the bagginess of the bottoms…
Linen is a great fabric for the summer but I just can’t stand the amount of wrinkling that goes on. I know that’s the nature of the fabric so I do have very few linen pieces (a dress and a tee) and I just bought a pair of jeans that are actually a linen blend. It will be interesting to see how they look after a day behind the desk but I figured that would be a good way to be able to wear jeans even when it’s hot.
I really want those Black Crane wrap pants – I’ve been drooling over them since you posted the culottes. They are pretty spendy, though, and not that different from my cheap Thailand fishermans’ pants (which are cotton.) I might get them anyway. I work from home and have a lot of black pants, but hey.
i love those wrap pants too, but they are very similar to thai fisherman’s pants, maybe with a more tapered leg? and i’m sort of afraid of that wrap part looking odd on me, but i love the idea! perfect for working from home 😉
i don’t know. i’m not a HUGE fan of the wrinkling, really, but like you said, it’s the nature of the fabric, and in some cases, gives it more character. right ?? character! 🙂
love the idea of a linen blend pair of jeans…
Thanks for this post Grechen! I love linen and don’t mind the wrinkling at all, I agree with you that it gives the fabric character and it’s natural and breathable for summer so I like that a lot too. And so many things are blends now it’s even less of an issue – not like those linen pants we used to wear in the 80s 🙂 Anyway, I also love those black crane pants you have but am afraid they would be problematic running around after young children…what do you think? I know you don’t have kids, but do they seem to hamper your stride in any way? I’m also petite and worry they might overwhelm my small frame….anyway, lots of good options here, am definitely going to peruse the list! Thanks again!
i’m sort of torn…i actually think the black crane culottes might be great for running around with kids: they’re pants, so easy to get down on the floor in, they have pockets, they’re ridiculously comfortable, and i think very sturdy…BUT i do see that the extra fabric might “get in the way” under certain circumstances. it would be the same as wearing a long flowy maxi skirt i guess.
i think they can be rather overwhelming on a smaller frame (I’m 5’3″) but that’s why i balance them out with a slimmer top. i think if you do that and wear them with a strappy sandal or something, showing your ankles and wrists at least, they’ll work for you. (i really love them!!)
I might be compelled to try a slimmer pair though – one with pockets…in that case the james perse would be a good option, especially if you don’t want black. or even a jogger pair with the hem cuffed, like the ones from vince.
that said, if you REALLY like the black crane pair, i think you should try them out anyway…and return if they don’t work. but you might regret it if you don’t at least try them 😉
I love all things linen…especially after it softens up somewhat. I have a sleeveless oversized CP Shades white top that I saw a woman wearing at my hair salon with cut-off jean shorts and K Jacques sandals and I had to have it! Plus, a white linen button-front shirt that I wear with the sleeves rolled-up that was an e-bay find, a navy J Crew (sleeves rolled-up…there’s a theme here, but honestly, because I think it adds interest) and black linen beach pant by Victoria’s Secret. I don’t know why Victoria would feel the need to keep the pants secret, given some of the other things she shows off, but, whatever!
Love the look of those! Is anyone familiar with Terrain’s version? I think star Joy Bryant promotes or designs the line of wrap pants.
Living in Northeast Florida, where summers are long, hot, and brutally humid, I love linen pants. My favorites are by Krisa, their wide leg linen pant. They tick all the boxes–legs are very wide so they fall away from the body and don’t stretch out too much, drawstring wast, and a super flattering fit. The fabric is 100% linen and is so cool yet looks great. I have them in four colors and I couldn’t survive our blistering summers without them!