Summer dressing is mostly about working out how little you can get away with wearing without looking like you’ve given up entirely. When it comes to trousers, that means finding a pair that feels like you’re wearing nothing at all, yet still makes you look like you’ve made some effort. Linen helps, of course – so does a cut that drapes rather than clings, and a waistband that forgives that third spritz at lunch.
Here are a few of the best summer trousers worth pulling on when shorts feel too casual but jeans feel like a punishment.
What makes a good pair of summer trousers?
The best summer trousers do one simple thing well – they keep you cool without making you look like you’ve wandered out in your pyjamas. Fabric is half the battle: linen, cotton–linen blends or lightweight ripstop are all smart picks. They breathe, they move, and they look better with a few creases.
Fit matters too. You want a relaxed cut that skims the leg. Nothing too skinny, nothing too baggy. A gentle taper stops you looking sloppy, while an adjustable or drawstring waistband is a bonus when the forecast says 30 degrees and you’d rather not feel trussed up.
Details? Keep them subtle. The right pair should slip easily from a coffee run to dinner – quiet pockets, clean hems, maybe a single pleat if you’re feeling smart. Good summer trousers are the ones you forget you’re wearing, until someone asks where they’re from.
Best summer trousers for men
Besnard
Crafted from premium Irish linen, Besnard's stone linen trousers are exceptionally breathable, ensuring you stay cool and comfortable in hot weather. The dense weave and substantial weight of Irish linen give these trousers a beautiful drape and a classic appearance. Made in Italy, they feature a high rise, single pleats, and side adjusters for a clean silhouette, making them versatile for both formal and casual wear.
ISTO
Sometimes the simplest summer move is the smartest. ISTO’s pleated linen trousers are made from 100% premium Italian linen – light, crisp, and cut with a regular fit and just the right taper through the leg. They feel airy on a sticky commute yet work just as well with a shirt and loafers for late dinners when the breeze picks up. Designed and crafted in Portugal, they’re proof that a good pair of linen trousers doesn’t need fuss or frills – just quality fabric, careful tailoring and the promise that they’ll look better each time you wear them.
David Gandy Wellwear
You can tell when a pair of trousers has been garment washed properly – they feel like they’ve been yours for years, even fresh out of the box. David Gandy Wellwear’s linen pants have that lived-in softness, plus the easy fit you want when temperatures spike. Cut in Portugal with a relaxed shape and practical side-seam pockets, they’re the kind of linen trousers you throw on in the morning without a second thought – smart enough for lunch, comfortable enough to drift back home when the sun dips. Simple, unfussy, exactly what summer dressing should be.
Wax London
Not every linen trouser needs to look delicate. Wax London’s Tyne trousers are a sturdier spin on summer legs – made from a clever cotton-linen ripstop that’s breathable yet tough enough for weekends on the move. There’s a pull-on elasticated waistband for lazy mornings, plus a slight taper through the leg to keep things sharp. Full length, finished in a natural tone that works with tees or a camp collar shirt, these are the kind of trousers that make sense whether you’re heading out for an early train or drifting back from the pub after sunset.
Marame
Marame’s casual linen-blend trousers sit right in that sweet spot between everyday and evening. They’re cut from a lightweight linen-cotton blend, so they breathe nicely but still feel robust. The fit is relaxed with a gentle taper, there’s an elasticated waistband for comfort, and you can wear them with sandals for a coffee run or switch to loafers when you’re out for dinner. Some trousers shout for attention – these just quietly make you look good without trying too hard. Pair with a simple Oxford shirt, roll up the hems if you fancy, and call it a day.
Luca Faloni
When the invite calls for ‘summer smart’, Luca Faloni’s linen trousers do exactly what they say on the tin – elegant, no fuss. Made in Northern Italy from pure linen that’s treated for natural stretch (goodbye, endless creasing), they’ve got single front pleats, side adjusters, and an internal waistband that keeps your shirt in place long after you’ve had dessert. The tapered leg flatters without feeling restrictive, and the subtle hardware – hooks, discreet buttons – gives them a polished edge. The kind of trousers that make you wish every day came with a glass of cold white wine and a bit of sun.
The Resort Co
The Resort Co's Seersucker Trousers are ideal for the hottest days of summer. Made from lightweight cotton-seersucker fabric, these trousers sit slightly away from the skin, allowing air to circulate and keeping you cool. Their straight leg design ensures both comfort and a sharp appearance, making them perfect for any summer outing.
Velasca
Italian through and through, Velasca’s Rango pants nail that ‘relaxed but refined’ look. They’re 100% linen, pleated, and finished in a soft beige that works with just about any summer shirt you throw at them. The shape is a gentle carrot-leg – wide at the hips, narrowing at the ankle – with thoughtful details like horn-effect buttons and an antique brass zipper. Made in Salerno, they have just enough drape to feel breezy yet hold their shape all day. Wear them with loafers, roll up the hem if you’re feeling Riviera, and get ready for people to ask where they’re from.
ASKET
If you’re after trousers that work hard but look completely effortless, ASKET’s linen pair does the job. They’re cut from 100% Belgian flax – midweight, breezy, and woven in Portugal for that clean, no-fuss finish. The straight leg and regular fit mean they won’t date after one summer, and you can choose your waist and length to get the break just right. Like everything ASKET makes, they’re about timeless simplicity: just good fabric, smart construction and a shape that does you a few favours. Slip them on, forget about them – that’s the point.
LESTRANGE
The 24 Trouser by LESTRANGE combines sweatpant comfort with fine tailoring. Featuring a hidden elastic waistband and premium drawstring cords, it's made from regenerative cotton with 4-way stretch. Ideal for both off-duty and office wear, available in various fits, fabrics, and hues.
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