Wheeeew, it’s starting to heat up where some of you live, and I’ve been getting quite a few questions about pants for summer. Now, why even bother with pants in the summer? While shorts and dresses keep you cooler than pants, sometimes you just can’t wear or don’t want to wear them, so you need lightweight pants you can wear in the summer instead.
So, let’s check out a few options you have for lightweight pants. Today I’ll just focus on pants and save shorts for another time. Most of these pants are currently in stock, but I’m also throwing in a few from last summer that are not in stock right now but might come back as we get further into the summer months. I’m just showing those so that you have more ideas of pants that you could look for throughout the summer.
SIZING: I’m 5’6″ and usually S/M or 6 in clothes and 8.5 to 9 in shoes.
1. Linen Pants – Regular, Petite, Tall Lengths & Plus Sizes
Linen pants are my number one option for pants in warmer weather. You can find them in lots of different cuts these days, like full length wide leg, slim ankle length, or jogger styles. I own linen pants in the colors black and tan and wear both a TON.
Linen pants come in all different weights. Some pairs are thicker while others are thinner. I prefer thinner ones since I’m usually wearing them in the summer, so the cooler they keep you, the better. Also, linen can be both scratchy and wrinkly. How scratchy and wrinkly the pants are will differ depending on the pair and the brand. So, if you’ve written off linen completely because it’s scratchy and wrinkly, then just know that all linen pants are different and some of them are not as bad as others.
I own a couple of pairs from a few years ago that I think got updated since. Above, I’m wearing the old pair, but I did quickly try the current pair so that I could give you info on fit.
This year’s version has a stretchy elastic waistband and straight leg. In the past, I sized down to XS for a more fitted and slimmer look, shown above. For this year’s version, I tried sizes S and M. Size S started out a tad tight, especially around the calves (which was kind of strange—haven’t had that happen in a while, ha) but after about just 3-4 minutes in them, they stretched out to very comfortable. I squatted down for roughly 10 seconds in order to try to see how much they’d stretch out, and that alone got them to stretch out to not be tight anywhere. For length, I’m 5’6″ and size S hit a couple of inches above my ankles. I definitely would not go for size M. Even un-stretched, it looked fairly baggy and was hard to not look sloppy with a regular t-shirt.
Also, one note is when I bought these 3 years ago, the sizing was super inconsistent among the different colors, which is typical of Old Navy. (I had size S in one color and XS in another color.) So, I usually order multiple sizes to find my best fit. Old Navy offers free shipping for orders over $50 and free return shipping on all orders (in the U.S.) so it’s easy to order multiple sizes.
I’m not totally sure about this year’s pair, but my older pairs do wrinkle a bit, but not *as* badly as some other linen pants. And, it’s much less noticeable in my black pair compared to tan. For itchiness, I only tried tan, and they weren’t that itchy. In older pairs, my tan pair was a tad itchy, while my black pair was itchier. Sorry if that’s not super helpful—take it up with Old Navy. 😜
Right now these pants are available in several colors, in regular, petite, and tall lengths HERE. Plus sizes HERE.
Shop the Outfit:
Top: H&M (similar, similar)
Pants: Old Navy (almost exact—I wear size S)
Shoes: Nordstrom (similar, similar)
Earrings: c/o Nickel & Suede (exact in London Tan—wearing size M)
Necklace: c/o Dear Mushka (exact)
1b. Caslon Linen Joggers – Regular and Petite Lengths & Plus sizes
This pair of Caslon linen joggers is also great. I love the jogger silhouette! This pair is pricier than the Old Navy pair above, but you really feel that difference. This pair is not itchy AT ALL, and it’s lightweight and comfy. These have a higher rise, so if you’d like a high waisted pair, try these. They come in 5 colors. I wear size S. Check them out in regular and petite lengths HERE. Plus sizes HERE.
Shop the Outfit:
Top: Old Navy (similar)
Pants: Nordstrom (exact—wearing size S)
Shoes: Old Navy (similar, similar, similar)
Earrings: c/o Nickel & Suede (similar—I wear size M)
You can pair linen pants with so many things. T-shirts and tank tops are easy options, BUT you can also pair these with nicer tops, like in the third and fourth outfits above. If you’re working from home and want to look nice on the top while staying casual, comfy, and cool on the bottom, go for linen pants!
See my linen pants posts HERE.
2. Old Navy StretchTech (super lightweight) Joggers – Regular, Petite, Tall Lengths & Plus Sizes
I got these lightweight joggers last year and LOVEEEEE them. I shared them a few times before they sold out, and I wished I had been able to share them more. Soooo glad they’re back now!
Think these are regular joggers? Think again. If your typical joggers are too thick for the summer, this pair can replace them as your summer joggers. These are THIN and lightweight with a cool, sporty feel. The material is kind of like windbreakers and is great for summer! (Again, I’d rather wear shorts compared to any pants, but sometimes you need pants.)
Above, I’m showing both the black and olive green, which is called Stone Wall. It’s a little brighter of a green in person than in these pics. Even a little brighter and greener than what’s on Old Navy’s site. Unfortunately, that color is sold out in many sizes, but hopefully it returns. Even if it doesn’t, this comes in 7 colors for you to choose from. I love the black pair as well! Check them out in regular, tall, and petite lengths HERE. Plus sizes HERE.
Shop the Outfit:
Top: Old Navy (exact—wearing size S; VERY soft and comfy)
Pants: Old Navy (exact—wearing size M)
Denim Jacket: c/o Nordstrom (exact—I wear size M; similar—I wear size M)
Shoes: Nordstrom (similar—I wear size 8.5, similar)
Tote: Nordstrom (exact)
Earrings: c/o Nickel & Suede (exact in London Tan—wearing size M)
3. Soft Pants
There are a lot of different kinds of soft pants (that aren’t linen). The pair I’m wearing above is from Old Navy. Unfortunately, I can’t find anything like these online yet. But, I’m including them in hopes that something similar pops up soon. I bought these at the tail end of last summer and loved them! They are super soft and very lightweight. Pair them with any solid top for an easy summer outfit.
Shop the Outfit:
Top: Nordstrom (exact—wearing size S)
Pants: Old Navy
Shoes: Nordstrom (similar, similar)
Earrings: c/o Nickel & Suede (similar—I wear size M)
4. Wide Leg Pants – Regular, Petite, Tall Lengths & Plus Sizes
I’ve been having fun wearing wide leg pants these days. I recently blogged tips for wearing wide leg pants and how to style them, so if you need some pointers, check there.
In that blog post, I shared a thicker version from Old Navy that you could dress up for work and dress down with a t-shirt. (See those outfits HERE.) I also mentioned a thinner linen pair from Old Navy that essentially looks the same but is lighter weight and more casual. In the pic above, I’m wearing that linen pair so that you can see exactly what it looks like.
The linen pair does wrinkle a tad, and feels a bit itchy. Perhaps it’ll be less itchy with more washes, but that’s TBD. I think it’s too casual to wear for business casual outfits. So, I’d still recommend the thicker pair for workwear and if you want a pair that isn’t itchy and doesn’t wrinkle. That said, the linen one is nice for a cooler option, since the material is thinner.
I like the wide leg style for the simple fact that you get more airflow than pants that fit closer to the leg. I would definitely wear either of these pairs in the summer, but would opt for the linen pair on a warmer day and in casual settings and just try to ignore the wrinkling. Sometimes, when it’s hot, you gotta do what you’ve gotta do.😆 Thankfully, you can’t notice wrinkling as much with black compared to with other colors! See them in 3 colors and blue/white stripes in regular, tall, and petite lengths HERE. Plus sizes HERE.
Shop the Outfit:
Top: Old Navy (exact—wearing size S)
Pants: Old Navy (exact—wearing size 4; similar thicker option—I wear size 4)
Shoes: c/o DSW (exact—wearing size 8.5)
Tote: Nordstrom (exact)
Necklace: c/o Dear Mushka (exact)
5. Nordstrom Jumpsuits – Straight and Plus Sizes
Jumpsuits are a GREAT option when you need to wear pants in the summer. And, you’ll look really put-together in one! You can find straight or wide leg ones that have thinner material to keep you cooler. You can also get jumpsuits made of super soft material for extra comfort, which I appreciate more than ever when it’s hot! If you go for one of those, just keep in mind that all soft jumpsuits are not created equally, and some are made of thicker material and can still be a little too warm for the summer, while others are made of thinner material.
I haven’t tried a ton of jumpsuits that are in stores right now, but one pair that I’ve had for a couple of years that is currently available is this jumpsuit by Loveappella. It is on the expensive side compared to other jumpsuits that you can find on Amazon or elsewhere, but it is very thin AND has great details like a cross front v-neckline (which is also breastfeeding friendly), pockets, and flattering jogger style legs. It is extremely comfortable, made of soft and stretchy material, but still provides some shape for you. It comes in black and navy, and sometimes pops up in other colors like olive, depending on the time of year. Check them out HERE. I wear size M. Find plus sizes HERE. See the three ways I styled this jumpsuit for super casual to dressy HERE!
Shop the Outfit:
Jumpsuit: Nordstrom (exact—wearing size M; also exact in more colors)
Denim Jacket: Nordstrom (exact in Sweet—I wear size M, all washes; similar—I wear size M)
Shoes: Amazon (similar)
Clutch: DSW (similar, similar)
Necklace: Nordstrom (similar, similar, similar)
Another jumpsuit I recently showed is the Fourteenth Place Jersey Jumpsuit which is also at Nordstrom. This one is less expensive at only $39. It is slightly thicker than the Loveappella jumpsuit, but still thinner than some others I’ve tried from Amazon. This one is also super comfy and stretchy and has a cross front v-neckline (that is also breastfeeding friendly, and it has a hook to keep it closed) with a crop straight leg. It comes in black, olive, and a black and white striped version, which you can see HERE. I wear size S.
Shop the Outfit:
Jumpsuit: c/o Nordstrom (exact—I wear size S, similar)
Denim Jacket: Nordstrom (exact in Sweet—I wear size M, all washes; similar—I wear size M)
Shoes: c/o Zappos (exact—wearing size 9)
Bag: Nordstrom (similar, similar, similar)
Necklace: Nordstrom (similar, similar)
Earrings: c/o Nickel & Suede (exact in Blank Canvas—wearing size M)
6. Amazon Tie-Waist Pants
If you need lighter-weight work pants for summer, these PMT favorite tie-waist pants from Amazon are a decent option. One note is that they are inexpensive and 95% polyester and 5% spandex, so they aren’t like a luxurious material that breathes amazingly. But, they are lightweight. Obviously, if you are sensitive to fabrics and sweat easily in polyester, these wouldn’t be a great summer option for you. However, if you generally aren’t bothered by that, then these are a nice lightweight option to have.
I’ve shown them in both olive and a medium/light blue, which both work well for spring and summer. They are very comfy with a lot of stretch, including a fully stretchy waistband. Check them out HERE. I wear size S.
Shop the Outfit:
Tops: Amazon (exact—wearing size S)
Pants: Amazon (exact—wearing size S)
Shoes: Nordstrom (similar, similar, similar)
Grey Tote: Nordstrom (similar)
White Bag: Nordstrom (similar, similar, similar)
Pendant Necklace: c/o Dear Mushka (exact)
Statement Necklace: (similar)
Alright, those are six types of pants you can wear this summer! Hope that helps give you a few options!
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