Too hot for jeans but not in the mood for a dress? These trousers have you covered.
Shorts and I aren’t really on speaking terms these days. They don’t quite give me the kind of coverage I want — now that I’m at the age where showing skin is no longer a priority. I love my drapey dresses for that reason, but sometimes I just want to pull on a pair of pants and go.
As a shopping editor, my goal is always to find pieces that blend comfort, style and staying power that you (and I) will like. With the heat waves ahead in mind, I’ve rounded up ten loose-fitting pants to swap for the shorts that are taking up too much real estate in my closet. From reader favorite brands like Spanx, Loft and J.Crew, these picks are comfortable, breathable and start at just $18.
Iwollence Loose Wide Leg Pant
Depending on how tall you are, these pants might fall into the culottes category (no shade here — I love a good culotte). They give you the same swish as a skirt but provide the casualness that comes with pants. The detail that makes them flattering is the elastic waist with a tie — slipping into them is a breeze and the little bow in front disguises (ahem) things you might not want to accentuate. “I love these high-waisted wide-leg pants!” gushed a petite shopper. “As someone short and curvy (5 feet tall and 140 lbs), finding the perfect fit can be a challenge, but the medium size both fits and flatters. The material is incredibly soft and lightweight against my skin, making it comfy to wear all day long. The wide-leg design is not only trendy but also super comfortable, and the high waist adds a flattering touch to cropped tops, which I normally might not wear. I especially love the roomy side pockets that easily fit my iPhone and keys.”
$26 at Amazon
Quince 100% European Linen Pants
If you keep up with podcasts at all, Quince has probably gotten in your ear once or twice. These pants made it to my list of must-buys after I tried out the 100% European Button Front Dress. It’s a high-quality dress and I’ve gotten the cost-per-wear down to pennies — and I’m pretty confident I’d do the same with these pants. What I like about the pants (on top of the super-soft linen) is the slightly tapered ankle, which sets it apart from your run-of-the-mill cropped linen pants. “Love actually,” one smitten shopper wrote. “These are my second pair in two weeks – Driftwood and now white. Love them so much – it’s a great look without sacrificing total comfort, versatility and easy care. Summer dressing doesn’t get more effortless than this.”
$40 at Quince
Faleave Linen Summer Palazzo Pants
Cotton + linen = luxurious summer pants. These light-as-air palazzo pants keep things cool with the soft weave of the blended fabric and the stretchy waistband and adjustable drawstring allow a fit you want. No digging, no sagging — just a flattering, comfy high-rise shape that moves with you. The drapey cut looks polished, even when you’re feeling low-effort.”These pants are a great find!” swooned a linen-lover. “I was so pleased with them that I purchased two more pairs. The fabric is a heavier cotton and falls beautifully from the drawstring to the hem, elongating the look of my legs. Oh! And they have pockets on both sides. They are the most comfortable pants I’ve ever owned.”
$30 at Amazon
SPANXsupersmooth™ Stretch Twill Cropped Wide Leg Pant
I know — these aren’t loose-fitting, but they are Spanx! That means they’re ultra-flattering. They’re stretchy, smooth things out and instantly make your classy summer outfits look more intentional. The light compression smooths your middle from every angle — tummy, waist and back included — so you’ll feel confident everywhere you go this summer.”Love, love, love this pants!” gushed one over-the-moon shopper. “The material looks expensive, it supports the tummy area so well. I will definitely get more colors soon!”
$128 at SPANX
Btfbm Women Casual High Waist Wide Leg Pants
If you really want to keep it classy, these wide-leg trousers have the flow of a maxi dress, the comfort of joggers and just enough polish to fool people into thinking you put in effort. “These pants are so comfortable and the material is great for the summer weather,” shared a practical shopper with exquisite taste. “They look dressy without even