I don’t know about you, but when summer rolls around, I find myself constantly searching my wardrobe for things to wear.

North Carolina summers are very HOT, meaning I need a lot of outfits that are cool, comfortable, and practical. I don’t always want to wear shorts or dresses, and jeans are just too warm and uncomfortable for the heat and humidity we get here.

So, with that in mind, I went on a quest to find the absolute BEST linen pants for summer. I scoured the internet for pants that are high-quality, comfortable, cute, and have a good fit. And after trying on 12 different pairs, I’m pleased to bring you the winners!

Check out this linen pants roundup for the best overall, best bang for your buck, best quality, and more!

1. Best Overall: Quince 100% European Linen Wide Leg Pant

• Price: $39.99
• My size: Medium
• Color: Washed Olive

Quince is a new-to-me brand that sells high-quality linen clothes, bedding, and more at an affordable price. I’m so glad that I found them! The European Linen Wide Leg Pant is by far the highest quality pant of this roundup. They’re really well made, down to the details like the metal detail of the tie, the seams, and the detailing down the side. You can tell they’re next-level quality, and they’re under $40. I’m shocked! These are definitely a winner.

2. Best Casual: Target Women’s High-Rise Wide Leg Pants

• Price: $34.99
• My size: Medium
• Color: Olive Green

The Women’s High-Rise Wide Leg Pants – Knox Rose™ from Target didn’t have great reviews online, but I actually love them! I think they’re so cute with the paper bag waist and tie in the front. They’re extremely comfortable, have a nice thick elastic waistband, and front and back pockets. I like the thick cuff at the bottom and the length. I think they’re a great casual option for summer linen pants.

3. Best Dressy: Banana Republic Palma Wide Leg Linen Pant

• Price: $130.00
• My size: 6
• Color: Natural

The Palma Wide Leg Linen Pant is less of a beachy pant and more of a suit pant. The waist isn’t elastic or flexible. The front pockets have a silk liner and there’s a nice pleat detail in the front. The pockets are sewn shut in the back. I would maybe need to hem these a bit, or wear taller shoes. I think these are great pants for a dressier occasion—not for the beach or pool!

4. Best Dress Up or Dress Down: Abercrombie Linen-Blend Ultra Wide Leg Pant

• Price: $90
• My size: Medium
• Color: Brown

Did you know Abercrombie has totally rebranded? They actually have some really great things these days! I’ve had the Linen-Blend Ultra Wide-Leg Pant in my closet for awhile and love that you can dress them up or dress them down. They have a nice, flat waistband in the front and elastic for stretch in the back. They’re flattering, a nice width, and just generally a solid pant to add to your wardrobe.

5. Best Bang for Your Buck: Walmart Time and Tru Women’s Smocked Waist Linen Pants

• Price: $19.98
• My size: Small
• Color: White Black Stripe

I saw my friend Abby get the Time and Tru Women’s Smocked Waist Linen Pants and I knew I needed to try them for this roundup! I love the micro strip, the elastic waist, the pockets in the back and front, and the price point. You can’t beat $19.98! They’re also very comfortable. Good job, Walmart! I will note that they run very big. I went down a size and could maybe even go down one more.

6. Honorable Mention: Athleta Retreat Linen Wide Leg Pant

• Price: $89.00
• My size: 6
• Color: Chambray Blue

I love Athleta and frequently wear their leggings and workout clothes. But I haven’t tried a lot of their casual clothes, so I was super interested to try the Retreat Linen Wide Leg Pant! I think they’re great. They have a closed-back pocket and a tie with metal details at the end. I like the slit at the bottom, which allows for more airflow during the hot days of summer. I don’t love that the front pocket has a zipper—you’d have to unzip it every time you want to put your hands in your pocket. These are pretty pricey, but Athleta stuff is high-quality and lasts a long time.

7. Honorable Mention: Old Navy High-Waisted Linen-Blend Wide-Leg Pants for Women

• Price: $39.99
• My size: Medium
• Color: Maplewood

The High-Waisted Linen-Blend Wide-Leg Pants are a great beachy linen pant. They seem to run a little bit big, and I think they’re supposed to be flood length, but they’re full-length on me. I don’t love that the tie for these pants is on the inside—I’d rather have it on the outside. But they’re very comfortable and have a nice, stretchy waistband.

8. Old Navy Extra High-Waisted Pleated Taylor Wide-Leg Linen-Blend Trouser Pants for Women

• Price: $49.99
• My size: Medium
• Color: Sliced Bread

The Extra High-Waisted Pleated Trouser Pants are another nicer-looking linen pant. They have a front pleat, pockets in the front, and an elastic waist. I can tell they’re not as high-quality as Banana Republic (the front zipper doesn’t lay totally flat) but overall they’re great for the price. You could definitely dress these up for a nicer occasion!

9. Amazon IXIMO Women’s Linen Pants Elastic Pleated Wide Leg Straight Fit Palazzo Pants

• Price: $39.99
• My size: Medium
• Color: Hemp

IXIMO Women’s Linen Pants were my favorite of all the Amazon linen pants I tried out. The hemlines look a bit higher quality and more finished. They fabric seems better and it has a nice side detail. They have back pockets and hit at the right length for my 5’5″ frame.

10. Athleta Cabo Linen Wide Leg Pant

• Price: $79.00
• My size: 6
• Color: Calla Lily

I decided to try another style from Athleta, the Cabo Linen Wide Leg Pant. These also have a zipper pocket in the front, which I don’t love. I wish the waist was a little higher and wish the front pocket was just open. That’s my only real criticism though, otherwise, they seem high-quality and are thick enough that they aren’t see-through.

11. Gap Linen-Cotton Pleated Pants

• Price: $89.95
• My size: 6
• Color: Cashew Crunch Brown

I’m not loving these Linen-Cotton Pleated Pants from Gap. The waistband isn’t flexible and it’s pretty tight. It makes the pleats look baggy and puffy—kind of like I’m wearing a diaper. I just don’t love the fit, and think there are some better dressy options out there.

12. Amazon Acelitt Womens Casual Pants Straight Leg Drawstring Elastic High Waist Loose Comfy Trousers with Pockets

• Price: $33.99
• My size: Medium
• Color: Khaki

I’ll be honest. The Acelitt Womens Casual Pants are not very comfortable. They’re more of a straight leg than a wide leg, and even though they look okay, I don’t think the back is very flattering. They’re cheaply made and the fabric doesn’t seem high-quality. After a couple washes, I bet these pants would be toast!

13. Amazon Famnbro Women’s Elastic Waist Linen Palazzo Pants Tie Knot Long Wide Leg Trousers with Pockets

• Price: $27.99
• My size: Medium
• Color: Khaki

My first impression of the Famnbro Women’s Elastic Waist Linen Palazzo Pants is that they’re just okay. I wish they had back pockets, and you can tell everything is cheaply made. They’re a good length, but they’re not super flattering and they don’t have any stretch. They’re just so-so.

Final Thoughts

All right, we did it! We got through 13 styles of linen pants for summer. Some styles were definitely better than others, and I’m SO glad I did this so that I can enjoy some lightweight, breezy pant options for the hotter days ahead. It will be great to have options other than shorts and dresses, which I don’t always want to wear.

I hope you found a pair you love, too!

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The Best Linen Pants for Summer

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