15 Best Linen Pants and Shorts for Women to Buy for Summer
A summer wardrobe isn't complete without a pair of linen pants, so here are the best ones to buy - including a bestselling pair that shoppers are flocking to.
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Linen is the perfect summer fabric – it’s versatile, comfortable and most importantly, breathable.
That’s right, linen isn’t just reserved for your bedding – linen fashion is the embodiment of the summer aesthetic … think relaxed and effortless resort wear. It’s an easy-to-style fabric that thankfully still looks super chic even when it’s creased and looks a little worn in.
With loads of linen pants on the market – really, you can find one for any and every summer occasion – we’ve narrowed down the best picks to add to your shopping cart, stat.
To get more bang for your buck, Nicole Adolphe, Head of Style at THE ICONIC, recommends thinking about when and where you plan to wear linen pants before purchasing a pair.
“If you want a casual weekend pant, go for a drawstring pair, if you plan to wear them to work, look for a more tailored style that has a front pleat, pockets and a waistband. If you’re after a more stylish look, try on a linen cargo pant, a low-rise pant or a wide slouchy pant.”
Keep on scrolling to see our selection of the best picks – including the Country Road Organically Grown Linen Yarn Dyed Short that shoppers say are "extremely flattering" and are the "perfect fit and length". Another says they get "complimented on them every time" they wear them.
We're also loving the popular Cotton On Haven Wide Leg Pants that have gone viral on TikTok. Shoppers have dubbed them the "most comfortable pants ever".
OUR TOP PICKS
EDITOR’S PICKS: BEST LINEN PANTS AND SHORTS
Country Road Organically Grown Linen Yarn Dyed Short, $149 at THE ICONIC
Why we love it: Elevated take on the classic summer short
What to consider: Sizing seems inconsistent with some reviewers recommending to size up and others saying to size down
Material: 100 per cent linen | Colour: Five available colourways | Size: 4 to 16
What You Need To Know
I've had a love-hate relationship with shorts over the years but this pair from Country Road is definitely sure to turn that around. Made from lightweight organically grown linen, the pressed crease and the slightly longer length make them ideal for both daytime and nighttime coming into the warmer months.
They're also that tad longer than shorts of recent years and instead the longer, once considered daggy, Bermuda style that was on trend in the 2000s is making a comeback.
Five-star reviews on the Country Road website say the shorts are "comfortable" and very chic". One happy customer says they "flow nicely along my curves" while another similarly says "They sit beautifully and skim over thighs, I usually have trouble with this area but these are made so well and give a smoothing effect."
Cotton On Haven Wide Leg Pant, $49.99 at THE ICONIC
Why we love it: Popular style; size inclusive; elasticated waistband with draw cords; relaxed fit.
What to consider: Light colourways may be slightly sheer.
Material: 55 per cent linen (flax) and 45 per cent viscose | Colour: Multiple | Size: AU 6 to AU 24
What You Need To Know
It wouldn’t be a round-up if we didn’t include Cotton On. Featuring relaxed, full-length legs and side slip pockets, this pair can be worn mid to low-rise and is incredibly lightweight and breathable. Available in sizes AU 4 to AU 24, it’s easy to wear and style, and a must-have for your next summer holiday.
Five-star reviewers on the Cotton On website say they're the "most comfortable pants ever" and "look really flattering".
"Love these pants. I bought 2 different patterns. They feel great on and look really flattering. So versatile I wear them for work and socially," one wrote.
"These pants are very comfortable to wear – they are light and breathable," another wrote.
Mid Rise Tailored Linen Pant, $69.99 at Glassons
Why we love it: Timeless style; not see-through; versatile – can be dressed up or down.
What to consider: Light colourways may be slightly sheer; maxi length – may be too long on those that are shorter in height.
Material: 100 per cent linen | Colour: Five available colourways | Size: AU 6 to AU 14
What You Need To Know
Light-coloured linen pants that aren't see-through? Groundbreaking. Made from 100 per cent linen, this timeless pair from Glassons features a relaxed fit with a mid-rise waist, straight wide legs and belt loops. They're lightweight, airy and super easy to dress up with heels or down with sneakers, not to mention they're fully lined.
"I bought these pants in every single colour! Such a staple in my wardrobe, and goes with everything. They also fit so flatteringly on the leg its insane. A complete DISSH dupe, but a fraction of the price," one five-star reviewer wrote.
BEST AFFORDABLE LINEN PANT
Linen Blend Pull On Pants, $34.99 at H&M
Why we love it: Affordable; easy pull-on design; relaxed fit; elasticated waist.
What to consider: Light colourways may be slightly sheer; no stretch; may crease due to fabric; some reviewers say the legs are really long.
Material: 55 per cent viscose and 45 per cent linen | Colour: Multiple | Size: XS to XXL
What You Need To Know
Made from a viscose-linen blend, these affordable yet quality linen pants are great for a day at work or a casual day out. It features a relaxed wide-leg fit, an elasticated waistband with an adjustable drawcord and side slip pockets.
"These pants are great! Got them in white and sage green. The white is slightly see-through but the green sage isn’t at all! They look so good and are super comfy," one reviewer wrote.
BEST LINEN PANT FOR THE OFFICE
Witchery Linen Pleat Pant, $143.19 (down from $179) at THE ICONIC
Why we love it: Sophisticated shape; high-rise waist; great wardrobe staple; fully linen.
What to consider: Quite expensive.
Material: 100 per cent linen | Colour: Black, Blue-Grey, Floss Pink, Stone and Lemon | Size: AU 4 to AU 18
What You Need To Know
Described as an “elegant, classy yet comfortable” trouser, this 100 per cent linen pair has a tailored design with slim fit legs that flare out below the knees and side slip pockets. They also come in loads of colours, so if you love the fit, you can stock up on the range and easily rotate them in your wardrobe.
Atmos & Here Alis Linen Blend Pants, $59.99 at THE ICONIC
Why we love it: Affordable; flattering high-rise waist; great for work; adjustable drawcord.
What to consider: No stretch.
Material: 81 per cent viscose and 19 per cent linen | Colour: Black, Light Khaki and White | Size: AU 6 to AU 16
What You Need To Know
Made from a viscose-linen blend, these affordable yet quality linen pants are great for a day at work and beyond. It features a high-rise paper bag waist with an adjustable drawcord, side slip pockets and a tapered leg.
BEST BLACK LINEN PANT
Country Road Organically Grown Linen Yarn Dyed Pant, $199 at THE ICONIC
Why we love it: Sweet baby blue colourway; high-waisted; flattering
What to consider: Only goes up to size 16
Material: 100 per cent linen | Colour: Multiple | Size: 4 to 16
What You Need To Know
Country Road is our go-to for quality pieces that we know will last for a long time and these 100 per cent organically grown linen pants are no different. Featuring, a high-waisted, wide-leg design the pants feature a super flattering soft drape and have a luxe feel, unlike other linen clothes that can sometimes feel rough.
"I love these pants! So comfortable, yet so smart looking as well. They can worn casually or dressed up to look smart," wrote one five-star review on the Country Road website.
Another said they got "loads of compliments when I wore this with the matching top."
BEST WHITE LINEN PANT
Seed Heritage Core Linen Waisted Pant, $159.95 at THE ICONIC
Why we love it: Flattering high-waisted fit; wide legs; premium French linen make.
What to consider: Quite expensive; pockets can be seen through the fabric.
Material: 100 per cent linen | Colour: Whisper White | Size: AU 4 to AU 18
What You Need To Know
We’re obsessed with the flattering high waist and long, wide legs of this pair. It’s crafted from 100 per cent French linen and offers side slip pockets, dart detailing and a zip and hook closure.
BEST STRAIGHT-LEG LINEN PANT
AERE Straight Leg Linen Pants, $120 at THE ICONIC
Why we love it: Relaxed fit; straight leg silhouette; lightweight; easy to dress up or down.
What to consider: Slightly sheer – unlined.
Material: 100 per cent linen | Colour: Oatmeal | Size: AU 6 to AU 18
What You Need To Know
You can’t go wrong with a simple pair of straight-leg linen pants and we love this sophisticated pair. The neutral oatmeal colour makes it easy to effortlessly match with the rest of your summer wardrobe and it can easily be dressed up or down.
BEST WIDE-LEG LINEN PANT
Amellus Mabel Linen Pant, $129 at THE ICONIC
Why we love it: Simple style; elasticated waistband; wide legs; high-waisted.
What to consider: May be too long for those that are shorter in height.
Material: 100 per cent linen | Colour: Navy, Black, Khaki and Natural | Size: AU 6 to AU 16
What You Need To Know
These 100 per cent linen wide-leg pants from Amelius are a total winner. Designed with an elasticated waistband, side slip pockets and a relaxed wide leg – they’re an easy piece to dress up or down. Plus, the sleek Navy colour is a good alternative to a classic black pair.
BEST CROPPED LINEN PANT
Witchery Linen Crop Pant, $111.19 (down from $139) at THE ICONIC
Why we love it: Cropped length; high-waisted; straight-leg fit; great for work or casual wear.
What to consider: Some might not like a cropped leg length.
Material: 100 per cent linen | Colour: Black and White | Size: AU 4 to AU 18
What You Need To Know
If you’re after a pair of linen pants that you can work into your weekday and weekend wardrobe, this pair from Witchery is perfect. Made from 100 per cent linen, these pants feature a zip and hook closure, cropped straight leg profile and side slip pockets. It’s a timeless style that can be dressed up or down.
BEST HIGH-WAISTED LINEN PANT
AERE Straight Leg Linen Pants, $84 (down from $120) at THE ICONIC
Why we love it: High-waisted; lightweight; straight legs; pockets; relaxed fit.
What to consider: May be slightly sheer when under light.
Material: 100 per cent linen | Colour: White and Black | Size: AU 6 to AU 18
What You Need To Know
The AERE Straight Leg Linen Pants have made it to the top of our list, crafted from 100 per cent linen and made with soft front pleats and a high-rise waist to beautifully accentuate your curves and shape your body.
Love them so much that you want them in another colour? You’re in luck, these also come in black, perfect for your workwear wardrobe.
BEST LINEN PANT FOR CURVY WOMEN
Something 4 Olivia Lottie Linen Pants, $99.99 at THE ICONIC
Why we love it: Flattering; high-waisted; wide legs; pockets; size-inclusive.
What to consider: No stretch.
Material: 55 per cent linen and 45 per cent viscose | Colour: White and Black | Size: AU 10 to AU 24
What You Need To Know
Perfect for work and every day, these oh-so-flattering pants are made from a linen-viscose blend and feature a high-rise waist and full-length wide legs. Plus, it has pockets too.
BEST LINEN SHORTS
Witchery Linen Pleat Short, $103.96 (down from $129) at THE ICONIC
Why we love it: Easy to style; high-waisted; flattering.
What to consider: No stretch.
Material: 100 per cent linen | Colour: Lemon, Black, Stone | Size: AU 4 to AU 18
What You Need To Know
No summer wardrobe is complete without a pair of linen shorts and we love this gorgeous black one from Witchery. Crafted from 100 per cent linen, this lightweight and breathable pair offers a high waist, slightly wide cuffed legs with pleat details, two side slip pockets and a flattering longer leg length – making them great for work and casual wear.
Country Road Organically Grown Linen Relaxed Short, $119 at THE ICONIC
Why we love it: Easy pull-on design; elasticated waist with drawcords; relaxed fit.
What to consider: Quite expensive.
Material: 100 per cent linen | Colour: Black, Light Pistachio and Chambray Blue | Size: AU 4 to AU 16
What You Need To Know
If you’re after shorts that are a little more relaxed and easy to slip on, this pair from Country Road has an easy elasticated waistband with a drawcord. It’s made from 100 per cent linen and has side seam pockets.
WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING LINEN PANTS?
When it comes to purchasing a pair of linen pants, it's important to consider these factors:
Composition: Do you want a 100 per cent linen make or a linen blend? Pure linen pieces provide the benefits of being breathable, hypoallergenic, durable and absorbent. Whereas partially linen pieces may not provide all those benefits.
Weight: If you've ever had an issue where you bought a pair of linen pants that ended up incredibly sheer, don't worry. In order to avoid this, you should make sure you look into the GSM or thickness of the linen – this will ultimately tell you whether the piece you're potentially going to buy is sheer or opaque.
- Sheer = 0-50GSM
- Light = 50-150GSM
- Medium = 150-300GSM
- Heavy = 300+GSM
Style: Linen pieces generally aren't cheap, so you should invest in linen pieces that are timeless (style-wise) and opt for neutral colours like black, white and beige as they're easy to style and great for everyday wear.
Price: Are you happy to invest a little more in pure, quality linen pieces or are you after a more affordable option like linen-blend compositions or pieces that are on the thinner side?
HOW WE CHOOSE PRODUCTS
To help you find the perfect pair of women's linen pants that’ll see you right through summer, we spoke to Nicole Adolphe, Head of Style at THE ICONIC for her advice and recommendations on what to consider when buying linen pants. In addition, our shopping team sifted through hundreds of customer reviews and looked at test results and ratings from product review sites to find the best linen pants for women – from premium to budget.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW DO I STYLE LINEN PANTS FOR THE OFFICE?
Dressing for the office in summer isn’t always easy. You need to balance looking professional and appropriate while still keeping cool throughout the heat.
That’s where linen pants come in. They’re comfortable, breathable and lightweight, making them the perfect addition to your workwear wardrobe.
Nicole Adolphe, Head of Style at THE ICONIC, couldn’t agree more.
“To work, I’d team my linen pants with a matching linen jacket over a basic tee, making for a chic understated suit set. Depending on how dressy the office is, I’d style the look with some sandals or a kitten heel. Our office dress code is fashion casual, so I often pair my linen pants with a trendy sneaker, ideal for when I’m running around styling shoots. I also like to play around with coloured linen shirts and a French half tuck, coupled with loafers or a closed-toe pump heel.
WHY ARE LINEN TROUSERS SO EXPENSIVE?
There are so many benefits to linen pants that actually make investing more money in them worth it. They're the perfect pants to wear during the hotter seasons because they're breathable, moisture-wicking, lightweight, and overall very timeless and stylish.
Pieces made from 100 per cent linen tend to be more expensive than a linen-blend composition, so if you want to experience some of the benefits of linen pants but don't want to break the bank, there are many affordable options available from retailers like Cotton On, H&M and more.
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