Looking for stylish summer pants to keep you cool as the temperature heats up? Here are The Modest Man’s nine pant picks for the season.
The mercury is slowly rising, and soon, we’ll be trading pants for shorts. Not a fan of baring your legs? You’re not alone. Just because you don’t like to go bare-legged doesn’t mean you have to suffer and sweat through the season. You just need to find the perfect men’s pants for summer.
If you’re not sure where to start, we have you covered. Read on to discover lightweight summer pants that fit and flatter and tips on how to wear them.
How To Shop for Lightweight Summer Pants
First, the most important thing when shopping for lightweight summer pants is the fabric. Check out our in-depth guide to breathable fabrics here.
You should include several breathable fabrics in your summer pants rotation. These include natural fibers like cotton, linen, and merino wool. Several synthetic fibers are derived from cellulose, aka wood pulp. These also have a nice cooling effect, perfect for hot summer weather. Look for fabrics like rayon, viscose, bamboo, and micromodal.
Next, you must consider the fit. Natural fibers are only breathable if the fit is loose. You do not want tight linen pants. They will cling to your skin, making you sweaty and uncomfortable.
On the other end of the style spectrum, athletic clothing only wicks away moisture if it’s tightly fitted. It can’t wick away anything if it’s too far away from your skin.
Finally, take a look at your current wardrobe. Do you love bright colors? Do you stick mainly to neutrals? Do you prefer solids or patterns? Once you understand your preferences, you can make a better decision when shopping for summer pants.
For example, if you tend to stick to neutrals like black and gray, you need lightweight pants in neutral colors. Alternatively, if you love bold fashion, why not try a colorful pair of summer pants? Choose something that blends seamlessly with your current wardrobe and your personal style.
How To Wear Linen Pants in Summer
Linen and warm weather go hand in hand. The fabric’s textured weave pattern allows for airflow, making it naturally breathable. However, styling linen in the summertime doesn’t always come naturally for many.
If you’re wondering how to wear linen pants in the summer, let’s start with your footwear.
After all, you need the proper footwear to nail your linen pant ensemble. Skip heavy shoes like boots and chunky loafers. Instead, opt for sandals or huaraches if you don’t like open toes.
Linen pants’ casual, beachy nature needs to harmonize with a laid-back shoe choice. Of course, if you’re actually on the beach, going barefoot works, too.
Are you wearing a linen suit for the summer? Then, proceed with suit-appropriate footwear to keep your ensemble cohesive from head to toe.
Stick to a lighter summer color palette and pair light colors together. This helps create a longer, leaner, more flattering line on the body. For example, a white shirt or a pastel blue button-down looks great with beige linen pants.
For accessories, choose a fabric band watch. In the heat of summer, metal bands can become hot to the touch and highly uncomfortable. Also, keep a pair of sunglasses handy. Choosing the right sunglasses for your face looks great and offers invaluable SPF protection for your eyes.
The Modest Man’s List of The Best Men’s Summer Pants
Now that we’ve covered a few basics of men’s summer pants let’s talk about specifics. Sure, you may have pants in your wardrobe from last summer, but you’ll likely need a refresh. While summer is a casual season, it’s better to have excellent basics than worn-out pieces. Using these pants as a base, you’ll be able to create a multitude of summer outfits.
Here are a few of our favorite summer pants in no specific order.
State & Liberty Athletic Fit Tech Chino
I was fortunate to receive a pair of athletic fit tech chinos from State & Liberty, and they did not disappoint in warm weather. They are incredibly breathable, and the tech fabric feels sporty yet elevated. Plus, the stretch is an added comfort benefit.
You could wear these in business casual work settings or as a replacement for jeans on casual Fridays. If you’re like me, I have clothes designated for work and others for the weekends. These pants potentially span both occasions, depending on your office dress code. The best part: You can wear them in the summertime without overheating!
You can try their athletic-fit stretch suit pants if your workplace requires more formal business attire.
The tech chinos come in a variety of colors, including charcoal, black, olive, maroon, light brown, khaki, white, light blue, brown, navy, and light grey. My model opted for the light grey pair styled with a blue polo and white sneakers for a casual ensemble.
My model is a slim guy, and these pants were slightly baggy through the leg. However, this is typical of athletic-fit pants on him. Another thing to note is that they only come in one length, 32”. They were too long on my model off the rack.
Depending on your inseam, they will need tailoring. If you need more length, there is excess fabric in the hem to add an additional inch or two.
Lululemon ABC Trouser Slim Fit in Warpstreme Fabric
As a longtime Lululemon wearer, I would be remiss not to include the ABC Slim Fit Warpstreme trousers on this list. Like the State & Liberty tech chinos, these also offer casual work-to-weekend capabilities.
The brand’s Warpstreme fabric is the star of the show here. This performance fabric is not only breathable but easy to care for. You don’t have to worry about wrinkles, and it retains its shape.
Additionally, if you live sustainably, the company constructs the fabric with recycled polyester from repurposed plastic waste. Not only do they feel good, but you’ll feel good wearing them, too.
One of the best things about Lululemon is the brand’s size inclusivity in terms of length. These pants are available in sizes 28 through 40 and 28”, 30”, 32”, 34”, and 37” inseams.
Everlane The Linen Easy Pant
Linen pants are synonymous with the summer season. The Everlane Linen Easy pants give you that effortless beach vibe. If you’re looking for a loose, comfortable weekend or casual travel pants, these have your name written all over them.
The Linen Easy Pant features a drawstring elastic waist and a relaxed fit. If you’re not used to wearing a relaxed-fit bottom, try them with a well-fitting, slim T-shirt. This pairing helps you avoid looking overwhelmed by oversized clothes.
Currently, they’re available in four colors but only one length. According to the brand’s size guide, the only inseam available is 30”. However, we always suggest enlisting the help of a good tailor to get that made-just-for-you look and feel.
Bonobos Performance Seer Sucker Golf Pant
No, you don’t have to golf to wear these lightweight Bonobos Performance Seersucker Golf pants. They work equally well on the course, at the office, and for casual meet-ups. Seersucker is a summer staple that exudes Southern charm and classic style.
Like linen, seersucker is another popular summer fabric. Its weave is different from linen’s, so it doesn’t have the same breathability quality, but it still keeps you cool. The texture of seersucker creates tiny air pockets to aid in cooling. Aesthetically, seersucker adds a great textural element to your look.
Bluffworks Envoy Lightweight Travel Pants
Pants that are lightweight for the summer and our suitcase? Count us in. Bluffworks Envoy lightweight travel pants are perfect for the frequent flyer. These pants are ideal for the guy who wants to look elevated in casual settings.
Bluffworks constructs the Envoy with a recycled polyester and spandex blend that is super lightweight at 6.2 oz per yard. And talk about functionality – these lightweight pants feature nine pockets. Carry all your essentials in these breathable pants with a stretchy waistband for extra comfort. The Envoy might be your match if you’re looking for the ideal pants to pack for your summer travels.
Banana Republic Slim Linen-Cotton Traveler Pants
We already mentioned that linen pants are the star of the summer season. Therefore, it’s no surprise that another pair is on this list. However, the Banana Republic Linen Traveler Pants offer a more polished fit than the loose Everlane Easy Pant.
The five-pocket design puts them more on the casual side than a traditional chino or trousers. But don’t count them out as casual-only pants just yet.
The luxurious linen and cotton Italian fabric blend is top-notch. Like most pants on this list, these pants are lightweight for the summer. The best part? They are available in three inseam lengths, including 30”.
Asket’s The Chino
Are your summers mild? If so, you might still need something lighter. Asket’s The Chino fits the bill.
The brand constructs these pants with substantial organic cotton with 2% elastane for stretch. Additionally, they are easy to care for. These chinos are machine washable, but Asket suggests skipping the dryer.
As of publishing, Asket is conducting an experiment in which they don’t include images of products on their site. They claim that their product is “uncompromisingly timeless” and precisely as you should picture it in your mind. It’s quite daring if we say so ourselves.
Ash & Erie French Terry Joggers
Summertime isn’t all about heading outside. Sometimes, you just want to hang out indoors in the air conditioning, especially on the dog days of summer. In those cases, comfort is key, so check out the Ash & Erie French Terry Joggers.
Ash & Erie is a beloved brand of the modest man. Not only do they curate and construct a quality product, but the brand caters to men on the shorter side. Needless to say these joggers are an athleisure wear perennial favorite.
The lightweight, soft material is perfect for the gym, errands, or casual activities. If you’re in between sizes or prefer a looser fit, size up.
Mugsy Studio Blue CoolMax Jeans
I realize that our last pick is technically a pair of jeans, not pants. However, upon receiving this CoolMax jeans sample from Mugsy, I consider them more of a hybrid. They have the classic appearance of denim but fit much more like a pair of stretchy tech pants.
And, since this article is about pants that help keep you cool in the heat of summer, we have to include these jeans on this list. After all, they feature CoolMax technology that does, in fact, keep you cool.
Mugsy offers their CoolMax collection of jeans in a handful of colors for maximum variety. As for fit, they ran snugly on my model. He’s muscular and thick through the seat and thigh. While these were comfortable and stretchy, they were too tight for his preference.
Generally, he prefers a straight or athletic fit. I believe that Mugsy designs their CoolMax jeans as more straight-fitting jeans but they fit more like a slim.
These jeans are great for just about everything. They were comfortable enough to wear all day and do yard and tractor work. Plus, they did exactly what the brand designed them to do—keep things cool.
Final Thoughts on Men’s Pants for Summer
When the weather warms up, style doesn’t have to go down. There are plenty of fashionable men’s pants for summer.
Remember to look for breathable natural fabrics or sweat-wicking synthetic materials. Either one will keep you cool. Fit is also important to ensure you’re comfortable when the mercury rises.
With so many comfortable, stylish pant options, give your shorts a break. Trust us.
Do you have a favorite pair of summer pants? Let us know in the comments.
