What is the difference between linen and cotton?

“The difference between linen and cotton is most often felt by touch,” Elizabeth explains. “Linen is a much more coarse fabric and woven much tighter,” she adds, noting how it is strong but also not very soft to the touch and “can feel rougher,” which also gives it more durability. Cotton, on the other hand, is “soft, more flexible, and not spun as tightly as linen,” she says. If soft linen pants are your desire, a cotton-linen blend might be a better option.

How long will linen pants last?

“Linen pants have a much longer life span than cotton,” says Elizabeth. This is largely due to the way the fabric is spun, which is very tight, making linen “much more durable than [most] other fabric.” However, linen isn’t exactly the warmest material so, while it might last many years, it’s not a go-to all year long (which also helps with the garment's longevity).

What shoes do you wear with linen pants?

According to Elizabeth, a summer or spring shoe is best—think strappy sandals, wedged espadrilles, and even slides. “Flip flops are also a very cute and fun look with linen,” Elizabeth adds.

Do linen pants shrink?

“Yes, linen can shrink,” Elizabeth confirms. With that in mind, she recommends always machine-washing linen pants on a cold cycle or having them dry cleaned. It’s also important not to dry linen pants in a dryer as doing so can impact the pants’ shape and form. Air drying is the best option and, luckily, the material dries very fast,” she says.

The 10 Best Linen Pants of 2023

As the seasons change, so do some of the textiles in our wardrobe. With warmer weather comes breezier styles in lightweight fabrics, including the iconic linen pant. When we think of linen pants, our minds are often whisked off to a warm, tropical summer vacation, wearing a pair over our bathing suits. Yet, while a pair of beach-worthy linen pants are a summer wardrobe essential, there are so many other stylish ways to incorporate linen pants into your style.

From office-appropriate wide-leg linen trousers to weekend-approved linen utility pants and linen loungewear, there’s a linen pant for every style. And we went on a journey through the Internet to find the best linen pants so that you can find one that fits your wardrobe needs.

Whether you’re headed on a beach vacation or are looking to elevate your summer work wardrobe, you’ll find the best linen pants ahead, along with expert style advice from wardrobe stylist Jeni Elizabeth.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Nap Wide-Cut Linen Pants at Naploungewear.com

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Best Budget:

Old Navy High-Waisted Linen-Blend Wide-Leg Pants at Gap.com

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Best for Work:

Madewell Cotton-Linen Pleated Wide-Leg Pants at Madewell.com

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Best for the Beach:

Urban Outfitters Myla Linen Cargo Pant at Urban Outfitters

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Best Baggy:

IXIMO Casual Cotton Linen Baggy Pants at Amazon

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Best Color Options:

Boden Turn Up Linen Pants at Bodenusa.com

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Best Low-Rise:

Roxy Oceanside Flared Pants at Nordstrom

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Best Utility:

Free People Linen Blend Utility Pants at Amazon

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Best Joggers:

Caslon Linen Joggers at Nordstrom

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Best Slim:

Eileen Fisher Puckered Tapered Linen Pant at Neiman Marcus

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In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Byrdie

Nap

View On Naploungewear.com

For our best overall pick, we went on a mission to find a pair of linen pants that are relaxed enough for casual wear but could also be dressed up for a day at the office. This pair was our clear winner for its style and fit but also its quality, color options (the baby blue is gorgeous!) and price point, which is more affordable compared to other styles. Not to mention, the looser fit complements an array of body shapes and gives a lot of wiggle room when styling.

Price at time of publish: $174

Material: 55% linen, 45% viscose | Colors: Link Water, Ecru White, Vanilla, Black | Waist: Mid-rise | Care: Dry clean | Size Range: S-L

Old Navy

View On Gap.com

When it comes to affordable linen pants, something made of a linen blend is your best bet (it also means the pants feel softer). This pair from Old Navy is our top choice for its price point but even more so for its inclusive sizing, color variety, and comfortable, relaxed fit.

Material: 55% linen, 45% rayon | Colors: Arugula, Seaborne, Blackjack | Waist: High-rise | Care: Machine wash cold, gentle cycle, and hang dry | Size Range: XS-4X

Madewell

View On Madewell.com

Investing in a good pair of linen pants for your spring and summer work wardrobe is a must. If you’re on the hunt for a style that feels comfortable and relaxed but is stylish enough to be worn to the office, we are obsessed with these Madewell pants. They’re made of a cotton-linen blend so they are softer than 100 percent linen, feature a flattering high-rise waist, and come in petite and tall sizes, too.

Price at time of publish: $98

Material: Cotton and linen | Colors: Lighthouse, Vintage Petal, Deep Indigo | Waist: High-rise | Care: Machine wash | Size Range: 00-16

Urban Outfitters

View On Urban Outfitters

Linen pants are made for a day at the beach. We typically gravitate toward low rise and wide leg for the beach, and these are both of those things but with pockets as a bonus. Unlike traditional linen pants, these breezy ankle cargos are made of linen and rayon, giving them a soft-to-touch feel, too.

Material: 45% rayon, 55% linen | Colors: Ivory, Lime | Waist: High-rise | Care: Machine wash | Size Range: XXS-XXXL

Amazon

View On Amazon

For a baggier fit, we love these linen blend pants from Amazon and so do over 2,000 others. These relaxed linen pants are available in tons of fun colors, plus a few style variations, including drawstring. They also have more of a drop crotch for a more laidback appeal.

Price at time of publish: $40

Material: 80% linen, 20% cotton | Colors: Black, Blue, Burgundy, Gray, Green +more | Care: Machine wash with washing bag | Size Range: S-XXL

Nordstrom

View On Bodenusa.com

Linen pants are traditionally available in lighter or more muted colors, including white, beige, green, and tan—but not these. If you’re looking for linen pants in a more vibrant hue, try these linen pants in bright yellow, pink, or green, as well as classics like blue chambray, navy, and white.

Price at time of publish: $120

Material: 100% linen | Colors: Grey Blue Chambray, Navy, Pea Green, Radish Pink, White, Zinnia Yellow, Ivory/Poppy Bloom | Waist: High-rise | Care: Machine wash | Size Range: 2-22 (in petite, regular, and long)

Nordstrom

View On Nordstrom View On REI View On Roxy.com

With the resurgence of Y2K trends comes the return of low-rise pants, like these linen ones from Roxy. They're made of a soft linen blend featuring a soft elastic drawstring waistband. The pants are perfect for a warm summer day, or as a cover-up on your way to the pool or beach. Plus, they are available in tons of fun colors.

Price at time of publish: $44

Material: 55% flax linen, 45% viscose | Colors: Sea Salt, Mood Indigo, Stone, True Black | Waist: Low-rise | Care: Machine wash and line dry | Size Range: XS-XXL

Free People Feelinâ Good Linen Blend Utility Pants

Nordstrom

View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Bloomingdales

We love a mix of trends, especially when it’s a mashup of comfortable styles like these linen utility pants from Free People. The relaxed bottoms are the perfect pair of summer utility pants with their breathable cotton and linen blend, effortless high-waisted style, and pocket details.

Price at time of publish: $98

Material: 55% linen, 45% cotton | Color: Black, Eden, Shroomy, Natural, Flowers for 2, Sea Spray | Waist: High-rise | Care: Machine wash and tumble dry | Size Range: XS-XL

Nordstrom

View On Nordstrom

For a straighter style, a pair of linen joggers still feels just as effortless as the traditional wide-leg linen pants but with a little more structure. We especially love these from Caslon thanks to their added drawstring, darker color options, and high-quality, 100-percent linen fabrication.

Material: 100% linen | Color: Black, Navy Peacoat, Grey Ebony, Green Beetle | Waist: High-rise | Care: Machine wash and line dry | Size Range: XXS-XXL (including regular and petite)

Neiman Marcus

View On Neiman Marcus

These slim-fit, pull-on linen pants are great for anyone who wants a pair of flowy and lightweight pants that still have a bit of structure to them. And a lot of that is thanks to the tailoring of the organic linen, which saw to a tapered leg, cropped ankle, and side slant pockets. Plus, the puckered, gingham print is a great alternative to the usual gauzy linen in solid colors.

Material: 100% linen | Colors: Pebble | Waist: Mid-rise | Care: Machine wash cold | Size Range: XXS-3X

Meet the Expert

Jeni Elizabeth is an E! News commerce style expert, lifestyle reporter, and celebrity wardrobe stylist.

What to Look for in Linen Pants

Price

Because manufacturing linen is a laborious and timely process, is generally more expensive than cotton. It's also more durable and comfortable and boasts benefits such as insect repellence and eco-friendliness.

Color

Since linen is typically worn in the spring and summer, Elizabeth says many (herself included) tend to gravitate toward lighter-colored linen. If lighter linen is more your style, she recommends you “always spray with a safeguard or satin guard, knowing they will most likely get worn a lot and pick up more dirt." However, you can't go wrong with a pair of darker linen pants, which you can easily contrast with a crisp with tank top or shirt.

FAQ

What is the difference between linen and cotton?

“The difference between linen and cotton is most often felt by touch,” Elizabeth explains. “Linen is a much more coarse fabric and woven much tighter,” she adds, noting how it is strong but also not very soft to the touch and “can feel rougher,” which also gives it more durability. Cotton, on the other hand, is “soft, more flexible, and not spun as tightly as linen,” she says. If soft linen pants are your desire, a cotton-linen blend might be a better option.
How long will linen pants last?

“Linen pants have a much longer life span than cotton,” says Elizabeth. This is largely due to the way the fabric is spun, which is very tight, making linen “much more durable than [most] other fabric.” However, linen isn’t exactly the warmest material so, while it might last many years, it’s not a go-to all year long (which also helps with the garment's longevity).
What shoes do you wear with linen pants?

According to Elizabeth, a summer or spring shoe is best—think strappy sandals, wedged espadrilles, and even slides. “Flip flops are also a very cute and fun look with linen,” Elizabeth adds.
Do linen pants shrink?

“Yes, linen can shrink,” Elizabeth confirms. With that in mind, she recommends always machine-washing linen pants on a cold cycle or having them dry cleaned. It’s also important not to dry linen pants in a dryer as doing so can impact the pants’ shape and form. Air drying is the best option and, luckily, the material dries very fast,” she says.

Why Trust Byrdie

Contributing writer Jessie Quinn has a bachelor’s degree in fashion journalism. From working in the fashion closet and interviewing designers at NYLON Magazine to now writing about the best style trends for various publications, Jessie researches and sources the best fashion finds. Jessie’s style is rooted in effortlessness—and what’s more effortless than a pair of linen pants? When searching for the best linen pants, Jessie used her research experience as a journalist and personal love for comfy clothing to help curate a list of top picks.

According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find linen pants from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com, and we will evaluate the product ASAP.

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