Warm weather typically calls for shorts, but sometimes you just have to wear pants for work, weddings or travel. Some of the best men’s pants for summer—including our top picks from Bonobos and Peter Millar—are lightweight and breathable enough to keep you cool in hot conditions. Certain pairs, like Todd Snyder’s Italian Linen Beach Pants, also have relaxed fits and drawstring waists that are great for casual summer parties and barbecues, and look stylish paired with flip flops or Birkenstocks.
To help you find more of the best, we researched the latest styles, combed through our extensive inventory of men’s fashion stories and consulted Forbes Vetted’s resident in-house style expert, deputy editor Kari Molvar. Ahead, you’ll find all the best men’s pants for summer that we highly recommend.
Todd Snyder’s effortlessly cool Italian Linen Beach Pants are polished enough for dinner but look right at home rolled up for a walk on the beach, thanks to garment-dyed linen, comfortable elastic waist and patch pockets. This pair comes in six understated colors as well as tall sizes for guys over six feet.
Low Key Linen With A Flattering Fit
Faherty Linen Drawstring Pants
Drawstring pants can sometimes look baggy and shapeless, but Faherty’s version has a slim, straight-leg fit and a flattering drape. They have a faux fly and three pockets (two slash pockets in the front and one buttoned welt pocket in the back)—and the 100% linen fabric is cooling and breathable.
Relaxed But Polished Enough For Work
Bonobos Linen Blend Boardwalk Pants
Like most of Bonobos’ pants, this linen-cotton style is comfortable and office-appropriate. The drawstring can be worn inside the waistband for a more polished look, and the subtle tone-on-tone stripes and single pleats in front elevate the style.
Affordable Basic That Keeps You Cool
H&M Linen Blend Pants
These easy-breezy pants have the soft feel of cotton but the sophisticated texture of linen, and the elastic drawstring waist offers a comfortable fit. At $36, you can buy them in multiple stylish shades—ranging from white to sage green—and they’re also machine washable.
Made To Fit All Body Types And Heights
Old Navy Straight Weekender Pants
When sweatpants feel too hot, throw on these drawstring elastic waist pants, which are made of a soft cotton and lyocell (a type of rayon). And while they are cozy enough to lounge in, the straight leg fit and range of cool colors gives these pants day-to-night versatility. Also great: This pair comes in tall lengths, and sizes up to 4X.
Best Pair To Grab On Amazon
Sailwind Drawstring Linen Pants
Affordable linen pants tend to come at a cost: They are often thin, flimsy and prone to ripping. Made of a blend of linen, rayon and viscose, Sailwind’s linen pants are soft, yet sturdy and durable. They have a zip fly and button closure, and the drawstring allows you to customize the fit. (There are belt loops too, which seems extraneous in our opinion.) As for the fit, this pair is on the loose side and meant to be worn a little long.
Best Men’s Lightweight Pants For Summer
Breathable And Tailored Like Jeans
Faherty Stretch Terry 5-Pocket Pants
These summery white pants combine the tailoring of jeans with the softeness of sweatpants. They have a slim, flattering fit and the stretchy cotton-rayon material has the feel of terry cloth. In addition to white, this pair is available in a preppy shade of faded red.
Classic Five-Pocket Styling
Peter Millar Ultimate Sateen Five-Pocket Pants
Peter Millar borrowed the stretchiness and comfort of their golf pants for these tailored five-pocket sateen pants, which look equally appropriate with a t-shirt, golf polo or blazer. They come in eight colors, including Cape Red and Tea Leaf, and a variety of waist sizes (30 t0 44). There’s only one 34-inch inseam length, though, so you may need to have this pair hemmed.
These jeans are lightweight and garment-dyed for a lived-in look. As an added bonus, they’re also wrinkle-resistant so you don’t have to worry about ironing (because who wants to deal with that in summer?) Fit note: These pants run a little small, so size up if you’re in between waist sizes.
Best Men’s Dress Pants For Summer
Sharp Tailoring Plus A Modern Fit
Paul Stuart Soft Linen Canvas Dress Trouser
In summery shades of pistachio, tan and white, these exquisitely tailored trousers are made from 100% soft brushed French linen (which explains the high price tag) and the fit is sharp and modern. Pair them with a blazer or button down for a polished look.
Lightweight Work Pants
Brooks Brothers Slim Fit Linen Trousers
These linen trousers may look like typical work pants (they have a slim, streamlined fit and modern flat front), but they’re lined only to the knee, which give them an airy feel. Wear them to the office or out to drinks this summer.
Slim, Flattering Cut
H&M Slim Fit Dressy Linen-blend Pants
This pair is made with a similarly soft fabric as H&M’s Regular Fit Linen Blend Pants, but finished with a zip fly with concealed hook-and-eye fastening like traditional trousers. This creates a dressier, streamlined look, and if you want a slimmer fit, we suggest you size down a bit.
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