When the temperature creeps up into double figures, it’s time to shelve the jeans.
Parting ways with heavy denim marks the start of summer, a season that calls for lighter textures and breezier styles.
Summer trousers are hard to get right, especially in the city. Linen is ideal for laid-back European holidays, while crochet exudes beachside chic. Gingham suits sun-drunk sojourns in the countryside and loud prints are perfect for parties. But what to wear in London? That is the question.
Many luxury brands have sent summer trousers down the runway; Etro, Isabel Marant, Susan Fang, Collina Strada, Bode, Siedres - the list goes on. Yet, not many of these labels are British, hence they are designed without the drizzle in mind. The same inevitable downpour that makes wearing a funky pair of orange flares a brave choice during the unpredictable summer in the city.
Luckily, many labels are experimenting with summer trouser designs, producing more metropolitan options for city dwellers. Tailored linen trousers offer a smart, lightweight pick. Denim look fabrics promise effortless pieces for in-office wear and ethereal bell bottoms serve up Seventies nostalgia. Even capri pants are having a moment as evidenced by Bella Hadid’s street style. Nothing is out of the question.
Take it from the fashion elite. Dua Lipa loves a pale pink cargo pant. Elsa Hosk is partial to a lemon-yellow linen suit. Emily Ratajkowski hit the New York sidewalk in a pair of chartreuse kick flares. Princess Diana’s pink and cream gingham trousers are footnoted in fashion history books. Pastels, prints and cropped silhouettes are all very much on the sartorial menu for summer.
Whether you’re jetting off to a far-flung destination or staying put this summer, a suitable pair of trousers is necessary. Discover the best summer trousers to suit all occasions and shop the edit below.
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Deiji Studios Pleated Wide-Leg Pants
Go back to basics with Deiji Studios. The brand’s wide-leg trousers come in an easy-wear cream hue, complete with an organic cotton-twill cut for a relaxed fit and smart pleats.
Buy now £173.77, Net-A-Porter
Acne Studios Floral-Print Hammered-Crepe Flared Pants
Add a touch of gardenscape glamour to your wardrobe with Acne Studios’ floral print flares. The dappled trousers are crafted from lightweight hammered crepe material and display a blurred sage green motif.
Buy now £460.00, Net-A-Porter
Reiss Carter Denim Look Wide Leg Trousers
A denim design without the weight, Reiss’ Carter trousers are the perfect pair for summer. The slacks are crafted from a lyocell-cotton blend, making for a smooth, breezy wear complete with an adjustable drawstring waist.
Buy now £150.00, Reiss
Toast Gingham Linen Patch Pocket Trousers
Sprinkle some girlish gingham into your summer attire. Pair Toast’s linen trousers with a simple white tank top and let the garment take centre stage. Also available in red.
Buy now £130.00, Toast
Arket Linen Drawstring Trousers
Summer holidays are sorted with a pair of simple white linen trousers to hand. Arket’s affordable pair come in a range of prints and pigments for all summer style enthusiasts.
Buy now £57.00, Arket
Weekend Max Mara Oggeri Embroidered Denim Wide Jeans
White jeans don’t necessarily equate to minimalism. Weekend Max Mara’s Oggeri jeans are peppered with vibrant petals boasting warm rainbow shades. Ideal for summer, the sweet, unorthodox trousers will pull a plain tee and sneakers together with playful sophistication.
Buy now £280.00, Luisa Via Roma
Maje Clover-Cutout Crochet Trousers
Black is never out of the question for summer, as proven by the feminine design of Maje’s Clover-Cutout Crochet Trousers. A jet black trouser is punctured by crocheted cut-out florals and finished with a sweet scallop trim.
Buy now £299.00, Selfridges
Gap High Waisted Linen Cotton Blend Trousers
Ensure your summer workwear is on point with Gap’s pinstripe linen trousers. Teamed with a crisp white shirt, the cotton-blend piece forms a timeless ensemble for warmer weather.
Buy now £60.00, Gap
Collina Strada Yellow Lawn Trousers
Establish your style authority with a pair of Collina Strada trousers. The bold wide-leg cargo pants feature a relaxed fit and an animated, hand-painted floral print.
Buy now £450.00, SSENSE
Siedres Patch Floral Layered Denim Pants
Seidres injects sartorial serotonin into each piece. These patchwork floral denim trousers are a colourful homage to flower power dress codes. Made from 100 per cent cotton and brimming with Sixties flair.
Buy now £192.50, Siedres
Mango Capri Leggings
Love them or hate them, capri pants are set to be a hit this summer. Slip into some Y2K heeled mules or kitten heels for a Gen Z-approved look.
Buy now £22.99, Mango
