Todd Snyder, Urban Outfitters
Few pants are more versatile and classically cool than a pair of good, old-fashioned jeans. You can dress them up, dress them down and experiment with different silhouettes — it’s no wonder they remain culturally ubiquitous after over a century. They can, however, feel quite oppressive when temperatures skyrocket, making denim a less-than-ideal fabric during the warmer months.
Linen, chinos and even some activewear can be great alternatives to traditional denim jeans. Depending on what cut you prefer, these pants alternatives can mimic the look and feel of denim in a much lighter, breathable material. Or, you can lean into and embrace a summery aesthetic. Below, we’ve rounded up 15 pairs of pants that can help you keep cool during the summer months. They’re available in a range of styles and price points so you can find the ones that will best fill the sartorial gap in your wardrobe.
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1.
Amazon
A pair of lightweight linen-style pants
Available in 11 colors, these relaxed linen pants are casual, cute and versatile. Pair them with flip flops for a day spent at the park or beach or with a more structured shoe, either way, you can get away with wearing these comfortable pants in a range of occasions. They're available in sizes 28-40.
2.
Gap
A pair of linen and cotton blend trousers
It doesn't get much better than these linen-blend trousers from Gap, they're as stylish and timeless as they are feather light and breezy, making them perfect for the summer months. The soft fabrication and relaxed silhouette means these will keep you comfy no matter how hot it gets. You can get them in five colors in sizes 28W-42W in four different lengths.
3.
Amazon
A pair of wrinkle-resistant pants
The price of these stylish chinos is right, coming in at under $30. They're available in 13 colors and a variety of inseam lengths in sizes 28-60. These ultra-wearable pants are made to be the perfect everyday pants, and it's easy to see why. They look much more expensive than they are.
4.
Todd Snyder
A devastatingly chic pair of selvedge chino pants
It doesn't get much cooler than Todd Snyder, and the brand nailed the relaxed fit of these gorgeous pants. They're perfect for the warm summer months. The fabric is made on traditional Japanese shuttle looms which gives it a soft, vintage-inspired look and feel. The wide-leg silhouette is delightfully airy, putting a modern spin on these classic chinos. These pants are available in four colors in sizes 28/32-38/32. They're definitely more of an investment, but it's unlikely that it'll be one you regret.
5.
Old Navy
A pair of tapered seersucker pants
Old Navy has been dominating in recent months, they've stepped up both the quality and styles they have available across all categories without sacrificing the brand's notoriously affordable price point. Available in regular and tall silhouettes, these pants are understated with a subtle seersucker detail that makes them ideal for warm months and the ultimate travel pant. Soft, light and wildly stylish. You can get them in two colors in sizes XS-4XL.
6.
Amazon
A pair of stretchy, lightweight performance chinos
These pants are made to look like classic chinos but are designed to act like performance wear. They're stretchy, light and made with quick-drying fabric that is water-resistant and rated UPF 50 sun protection. It's comfort and style wrapped up in one easy-to-throw-on and aesthetically pleasing package. You can get them in seven colors in sizes 30x30-40x32.
7.
Urban Outfitters
A pair of unexpectedly stylish trousers
Just when you start to underestimate Urban Outfitters, the retailer finds a way to surprise you. These pleated trousers have an ultra-casual, relaxed fit that is as cool as it gets, literally and figuratively. They are versatile enough to wear everywhere from the office to date night or a lounge day in the park. These chic pants are available in four colors in sizes 28-38.
8.
Bonobos
A pair of chinos
Bonobos pants are wildly popular thanks to their impeccable tailoring, fit and fabrication. These pants can be almost entirely customized to your specifications, with different lengths, silhouettes and pocket liner colors and patterns to choose from. The washed chino fabric is ultra soft and breathable while still looking super sharp and pulled together. These chinos are available in 12 colors in sizes 29-54.
9.
Lululemon
A pair of poplin pants
With three colors to choose from, these poplin Lululemon pants are ready to become a staple in your wardrobe rotation. The fabric is sweat-wicking, quick-drying and strong, but won't weigh you down. You can take them from a workout class to lunch with ease, they look incredibly high-end. They are available in sizes XS-XXL.
10.
Target
A pair of simple straight fit chinos
The straight leg cut of these chinos couldn't be more timeless. They're refined, easy-to-wear and comfortable thanks to a cotton twill fabric with a hint of spandex that gives them just the right amount of stretch. Cotton twill is a great summer fabric because it looks refined but gives you breathability and mobility, a must when temps are soaring. These pants are available in five colors in sizes 30x30-42x30.
11.
Todd Snyder
A pair of breezy linen beach pants
You don't have to exclusively wear these linen pants to the beach, but they sure would look good on the boardwalk. Like most Todd Snyder items, the price point is on the high side, but these investment pants just might be a must-have. They're breezy, stylish and made with high-quality Italian linen that is as soft as can be. The pants have a slightly rumpled, worn in quality that you often get with linen but are nowhere near sloppy thanks to a great design. They're available in six colors in sizes XS-XXL.
12.
J.Crew
A pair of canvas trousers
Inspired by the vintage military silhouette of the 1940s, these J.Crew pants have the look of a traditional chino trouser with a much lighter fabrication, making it ideal for warmer weather. They feature elegant tailoring while also looking casual and livable, granting freedom of movement and comfort on hot days. These pants are available in three colors in sizes 28/32-38/32.
13.
Abercrombie & Fitch
A pair of super light jeans
If there's nothing we can do to pry your denim off your body, try a pair of Abercrombie & Fitch lightweight baggy jeans. They have a broken-in quality and are made with soft cotton material that won't weigh you down even on the hottest day of the year. They're available in five colors in sizes 28-40.
14.
Nordstrom
A pair of linen drawstring pants
These linen Faherty pants are the definition of California cool. They're airy without being too billowy and casually rumpled without feeling sloppy. They have a straight leg cut and that summery linen texture that is evocative of the warm weather season while the drawstring elastic waist ensures maximum comfort. These pants are available in three colors in sizes S-XXL.
15.
L.L. Bean
A pair of ultra-lightweight cargo pants
It doesn't get much lighter than these tropic-weight cotton pants from L.L. Bean. It's the brand's lightest-weight pants, made with super breathable fabric specifically designed to keep you comfortable in the warm, humid weather. They feature a classic straight-leg silhouette that looks good on everyone and can be styled in a number of ways. These pants are available in three colors in sizes 30-44 in four different inseam lengths.
16.
Nordstrom
A pair of wildly popular pants
Made with Vuori's soft, stretchy and long-lasting technical fabric, these pants are what we call "performance pants." They're designed to move with you and keep up during outdoor activities but look good enough to wear to the office and more formal settings. They have anti-odor technology, are moisture-wicking and quick drying and include UPF30+ sun protection. These look like the ideal everyday pant but are made to withstand all manner of adventures and weather patterns. You can get them in eight colors, in sizes 28-28 and in three different inseam lengths. They're a great alternative to jeans, especially when it's scorching outside.
17.
J.Crew
A pair of skinny chinos
Love a skinny jean? Try swapping them out for a skinny chino when the weather gets warm. These J.Crew pants have just the right amount of stretch and are more breathable than your average denim. The trim fit is stylish without feeling restrictive, with lovely tailoring throughout that makes the pants appropriate for all manner of occasions. They're available in eight colors in sizes 28/30-44/32.