How to Wear Linen Pants

Co-authored by Kalee Hewlett

Linen pants have been popular for decades for their comfort, breathability, and versatility. Because of the variety of options and loose structure of the fabric, however, wearing linen pants can feel a bit daunting for some. By finding the right fit and fabric, you can style your linen pants and make them look great for almost any casual or dressy occasion.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Finding the Right Fit and Fabric

1
Opt for high-waisted linen pants if you want to elongate your legs. If you have shorter legs, look for linen pants with an inseam of at least 9 inches (23 cm). High-waisted pants, particularly when worn with heels, will instantly make your legs look long and lean, making them a great option for anyone who wants to rock linen pants without feeling frumpy.
- High-waisted linen pants are also a great option if you want to pair your pants with a crop top.
2
Try cropped linen pants if you are tall. If you are tall and have naturally longer legs, try a pair of on-trend cropped linen pants. While cropped styles may make your legs appear shorter, if you are tall, this may not be an issue. Whether you choose a wide-leg cropped style or cropped linen joggers, you will likely be able to rock this cute style without feeling cut off or stumpy.
- If you are tall and tend to dress casually yet try to keep up with trends, cropped linen jogger pants are a great way to instantly add to your existing cool and relaxed vibe.^{[1]
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3
Wear wide-leg linen pants for a versatile look. If you are new to wearing linen pants, try looking for styles that are wide-leg, fall straight down the leg, and have an inseam of about 8 inches (20 cm). Wide-leg linen pants in a medium rise are flattering on most body types, making them a great place to start looking if you aren’t sure exactly what type of linen pants you want.
4
Select a lightweight linen for spring and summer. For warmer weather, focus on finding linen pants that are made of a thinner, lighter weight fabric. Feel the weight of the pants to assess whether the fabric is thin enough to keep you comfortable in warmer spring and summer weather. This will ensure that you stay cool and breezy even when your legs are covered up.
- Simply holding the pants up in your hands should give you a good indication of how heavy the fabric is.
- You can also rub the fabric gently between your fingers and thumb to feel how thick or thin the linen is.
5
Choose a weightier linen for cooler weather. While linen is generally lightweight and considered a spring and summer staple, you can also find weightier linen that is appropriate for fall and even early winter as well.^{[2]
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Research source} Look for thicker 100% linen fabric pants, as well as heavier linen blends.
- Linen-rayon blends, for example, tend to be thicker and heavier, making them a great option for colder weather conditions.^{[3]
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6
Try lighter colored linen pants for casual occasions. If you are planning to wear your linen pants for a casual outing, such as out to run errands or to the beach, you will likely want to choose a lighter colored style. While linen pants are generally very versatile, lighter colors tend to be more appropriate for casual occasions. Paler pinks, blues, yellows, and nude are all great options for a lower-key setting.
- Pale blue linen pants are great for a casual dinner at the beach, for example, but might be less appropriate for a swanky cocktail party.
7
Choose darker colors if you want to wear your linen pants to work. If you want your linen pants to look more formal and work-appropriate, gravitate towards darker colors, such as olive green and black. Lighter colors like white and pink tend to look more beachy and casual, and depending on the cut, risk being a bit see-through. Therefore, focusing on darker colors for work is a much safer bet.
- If you are wearing your darker-colored linen pants in the summer, you can brighten them up by pairing them with an office-ready white blazer.
8
Select white linen pants for an option you can dress up or down. If you want to be able to wear your white linen pants to both casual and dressier occasions, choose pants in a crisp and classic white. White linen pants are particularly versatile and can be easily dressed up or down with the right top and accessories.
- For example, style your white linen pants with a silk top and gold jewelry for a more glamourous, party-ready outfit.
- Wear your white linen pants over a bathing suit with flip-flops for a cute and classic casual beach outfit.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Creating Casual Looks

1
Avoid boxy tops to keep your outfit looking casually sleek. Because most linen pants come in looser fits, you will likely want to avoid pairing your pants with a boxy, wide, and/or overly loose top. While it may be tempting to match your more relaxed linen pants with an equally relaxed top, doing so runs the risk of making you feel like you are wearing a tent.^{[4]
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- If you are wearing casual wide-leg linen pants and want to maintain a relaxed vibe, for example, rather than looking for a wide top to match your wide pants, look for a lightweight, casual cotton top that gives your body shape without being too tight.
2
Try a crop top to make your linen pants look casual but trendy. Crop tops are all the rage right now, and with good reason. Paired with high-waisted linen pants, a crop top can accentuate your figure while keeping your pants from look too loose or frumpy. Plus, your outfit will be right on-trend.^{[5]
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- For a more forgiving yet on-trend style, try pairing straight-leg white linen pants with a fun and colorful fitted crop top. Wear with some simple nude flat sandals to keep your outfit cool and casual.
3
Pair your linen pants with a cotton V-neck tee for a relaxed vibe. If you plan on wearing your linen pants to run errands or out for a casual afternoon with friends, try pairing your pants with a classic cotton V-neck t-shirt. The lines on the V-neck tee will give your outfit just a bit of structure, while the cotton fabric of the tee will keep you from looking too formal.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Kalee Hewlett
Fashion Stylist
Expert Interview. 23 April 2019.}
- Add a denim jacket and simple accessories in nude or beige tones to maintain your relaxed vibe while keeping you comfortable on cooler days.^{[7]
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  Kalee Hewlett
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  Expert Interview. 23 April 2019.}
4
Wear linen pants over a bathing suit for a beach day outfit. Rocking linen pants over a bathing suit is a great way to cover up at the pool or beach in style. Choose a lightweight linen in a white or pastel shade to keep you cool and comfortable while having fun in the sun.
- Add a stylish woven tote and metallic sandals to make your summer-ready linen outfit look extra chic.^{[8]
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5
Embrace linen fully with a linen-on-linen look. While pairing linen pants with a linen top carries the risk of looking overly baggy, it can look quite elegant with the right cuts. Look for pieces that look uniform but still enable you to accentuate your waistline, such as a fitted linen cropped tank with high-waisted linen pants. This will enable you to maintain your figure while rocking a full linen look.
- If you want to try this look but still play it safe, try looking for two-piece linen outfits that are sold or marketed together. That way, your linen-on-linen look has likely already been vetted and approved by retailers and/or fashion experts.
- Pair your linen-on-linen look with a statement accessory, such as brown fringe purse, to add a little more visual interest to your matching look.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Dressing Up Linen Pants

1
Look for structured tops to make your linen pants feel fancier. If you want to make your linen pants look a bit more formal, look for tops with clean, straight lines in more structured materials. This will give your entire outfit more definition and instantly give you a more polished, pulled-together look.
- For example, try pairing your linen pants with a crisp cotton button-down blouse. The clean lines and classic fit of a button-down shirt go great with linen pants and can instantly elevate your style.
2
Add a blazer and pumps to wear linen pants to work. Although linen pants are often considered beach-wear, you can easily make your pants office-appropriate by adding a structured blazer and pumps. The heels on the pumps will keep your pants from looking too casual, while the blazer will elevate your outfit into office-ready workwear.
- For example, try styling some crisp navy linen joggers and nude pumps with a cream silk tank and cream blazer. This simple, two-tone look will be sleek and trendy, yet completely appropriate for work.
3
Wear linen pants with a polished silk top for a fancy dinner. To instantly dress up your linen pants for a date night or fancy dinner out with friends, style your pants with a polished silk blouse or camisole.^{[9]
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Research source} Most silk tops go great with linen, and are almost always appropriate for a fancy night out.
- To take your outfit from work to evening, try styling your linen pants with a silk tie-neck blouse. The blouse provides enough coverage to be work-appropriate, while a tie-neck style makes this outfit fun enough for an evening out on the town.
- For a particularly crisp and classic dinner outfit, try pairing white linen pants with a classic navy or black silk tank. Add some nude heels to complete this fancy dinner-ready outfit.
4
Style linen pants with fun accessories for brunch with friends. To style your linen pants and have fun with your outfit, try accessorizing with a colorful bag or brightly-colored sandals. Add some fun metallic jewelry, such as a gold bangle bracelet or chandelier earrings, to add polish to your brunch-ready attire.^{[10]
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Expert Q&A

Question

What tops are fun with linen pants without being too busy?

Kalee Hewlett
Image Consultant
Kalee Hewlett is a Celebrity Stylist & Confidence Coach with almost two decades of experience helping clients build confidence and ‘dress for success.' She works with her clients to transform their sense of self 'from the inside out’ by merging her expertise in image consulting with Neuro-Linguistic Programming. Kalee’s work is rooted in science, style, and the understanding that ‘identity is destiny'. She uses her own methodology and Style To Success Strategy to create positive identity shifts. Kalee is a fashion TV host and appears regularly on QVC UK sharing her fashion expertise. She also was appointed as the head judge and host of Fashion One Network’s 6-part TV show 'Design Genius.’

Kalee Hewlett

Image Consultant

Expert Answer

Nautical stripe tees and denim shirts are both fun, playful options that won't be too much.
Question

When can you wear linen pants?

Kalee Hewlett
Image Consultant
Kalee Hewlett is a Celebrity Stylist & Confidence Coach with almost two decades of experience helping clients build confidence and ‘dress for success.' She works with her clients to transform their sense of self 'from the inside out’ by merging her expertise in image consulting with Neuro-Linguistic Programming. Kalee’s work is rooted in science, style, and the understanding that ‘identity is destiny'. She uses her own methodology and Style To Success Strategy to create positive identity shifts. Kalee is a fashion TV host and appears regularly on QVC UK sharing her fashion expertise. She also was appointed as the head judge and host of Fashion One Network’s 6-part TV show 'Design Genius.’

Kalee Hewlett

Image Consultant

Expert Answer

They're a pretty versatile piece of clothing. They're great in warm weather, and they're kind of a laid back item which makes them solid in casual settings. Black linen pants can also be work-appropriate depending on the top you pair them with.
Question

What are some more chic tops that go with linen pants?

Kalee Hewlett
Image Consultant
Kalee Hewlett is a Celebrity Stylist & Confidence Coach with almost two decades of experience helping clients build confidence and ‘dress for success.' She works with her clients to transform their sense of self 'from the inside out’ by merging her expertise in image consulting with Neuro-Linguistic Programming. Kalee’s work is rooted in science, style, and the understanding that ‘identity is destiny'. She uses her own methodology and Style To Success Strategy to create positive identity shifts. Kalee is a fashion TV host and appears regularly on QVC UK sharing her fashion expertise. She also was appointed as the head judge and host of Fashion One Network’s 6-part TV show 'Design Genius.’

Kalee Hewlett

Image Consultant

Expert Answer

You could throw on a camisole or vest. If you want to get really spicy with it, you could layer a kimono over your top for a really flowy look.