What to wear with linen trousers this summer, according to a fashion writer

Your guide to looking hot without feeling heated.
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I don’t know about you, but finding out what to wear with linen trousers has been front of mind as my summer Pinterest mood board has taken a distinctly Scandi girl turn. Aside from its ability to crease approximately 30 seconds after I leave the house, nothing makes me feel more effortlessly put-together than a good linen shirt and trouser combination.

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Iza Linen Shorts
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Linen-Blend Barrel Trousers
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So Silk Bandana
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There’s a reason we come back to it every summer: it’s lightweight, breathable and actually works in the heat, keeping you cool without compromising on style. Plus, linen trousers are surprisingly easy to dress up or down – equally chic with a simple tank and sandals as they are with a crisp shirt or tailored blazer.

Because linen trousers are a forever piece, they slot straight into whatever your current vibe is, whether that’s minimalist, polished or a little more trend-led. If you’ve ever stood in front of your wardrobe wondering how to style linen trousers without defaulting to the same outfit, consider this your cue. From office days to beach trips to brunch plans, here's what to wear with linen trousers all season long.

With a scarf top

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BERLIN, GERMANY - AUGUST 16: Lois Opoku seen wearing Fendi brown tortoise sunglasses, Lala Berlin beige / black scarf as a top, Lala Berlin beige long coat, Lala Berlin white linen pants, Strathberry khaki green leather bag and Lala Berlin black leather flip flops, on August 16, 2023 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images)Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images

Bandanas and silk scarves have been making a quiet comeback, and we’re reminded of the plethora of ways they can be styled. On your head or around your neck may be the obvious choice, but tying it around your chest to create a cute bandana top is also a viable option. Pair one with wide-leg pants, and you’ve got a vacation-approved outfit on your hands. A trench coat or denim jacket works for layering for chillier weather at night.

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So Silk Bandana

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Black Linen Blend Shoulder-Twisted Top

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Linen Sleeveless Scarf-Neck Top in Coral Red

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Polka Dot Scarf Detail Top

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Linen on linen

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MUNICH, GERMANY - JULY 1: Anouk Delphine is seen wearing a beige linen like co-ord set from Zara with selvedge detail; the beige top has a round neckline and no sleeves; the palazzo pants have pockets; a black bucket leather hand bag with white stitches from H&M with a linen like pochette inside and golden hardware; her blond hair is worn loose; an Arket white foulard with black stripes is styled around her waist; a pair of oval Gucci sunglasses; a vintage gold Seiko watch; a Cartier light point gold necklace; Cartier bracelets and rings; black Zara flip flops on July 1, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Moritz Scholz/Getty Images)Moritz Scholz/Getty Images

When in doubt, wear a matching set. A fully monochromatic outfit never fails to look chic and requires little to no brain power to put together. White linen pants, especially, are made even better with matching linen tops. Accessorise with some statement jewellery and you’ve got a simple yet memorable outfit on your hands.

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Mango 100% linen classic shirt

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Single Pleat Wide Leg Trousers with Linen

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Linen Rich Vest Top

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Linen Blend Sleeveless Top

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With a button-down shirt

PARIS FRANCE  APRIL 21 Diane Batoukina wears dark brown squared sunglasses from Dior a pale blue cotton shirt from Ralph...
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If you’re going for that old-money Ralph Lauren appeal, then you can do no wrong with a crisp linen button-down. It’s a top-to-bottom relaxed fit but still manages to look clean and put together. It’s important to pick the right accessories for this wardrobe staple, though, like a leather belt and some dark shades. You can also easily pair a linen shirt with your favourite shorts for a perfect warm-weather look. Our top pick? The Levi's 501 Original High Rise Mid-Thigh Jean Shorts – a timeless summer staple that never lets you down.

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White Linen-Blend Low Waisted Straight Leg Trousers

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501® Original High Rise Mid-thigh Jean Shorts

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501® Original Shorts

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With a blazer

PARIS FRANCE  MAY 12 Emilie Joseph wears sunglasses a black oversized  structured virgin wool blend blazer jacket with...
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Blazers go with absolutely everything, including linen trousers. You’ll find plenty of linen blazers on the market as well, which come in handy during a summer soirée. And don’t worry, your blazer doesn’t have to match in colour with your bottoms — style linen trousers with any of your existing blazers and slip into a pair of flip-flop heels to finish.

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The Oversized Blazer in Stretch Linen

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Butter Yellow Straight Leg Heavyweight Linen-Blend Trousers

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Iza Linen Shorts

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With a statement blouse

Image may contain Adult Person Accessories Bag Handbag Clothing Sleeve Glasses Footwear and SandalBERLIN GERMANY  JUNE...
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If you think about it, wide-leg linen pants aren’t all that attention-grabbing. They do, however, serve as a wonderful base for a statement-making blouse. Keep it earthy toned with whites and beiges, or throw in a splash of colour. Just make sure you find a playful cut for the blouse to add a bit of pizazz to your look.

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White Billie Blouse

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Nobody's Child Parker Leg Trouser Co-ord in Red Stripe

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Gina Tricot Pure Cotton Volume Blouse

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Linen-Blend Barrel Trousers

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With a vest

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 15: A guest wears shoulder-length straight black hair, oversized black sunglasses, gold hoop earrings and a cord necklace with a large beige shell pendant and a thin gold bracelet on the left wrist, a beige canvas tote with black trim and long shoulder straps and a small burgundy leather shoulder bag, a sleeveless beige linen tailored vest with notched lapels and a deep V-front paired with matching high-waisted wide-leg linen trousers, black flat leather thong sandals showing red-painted toenails, outside Zankov, during New York Fashion Week, on September 15, 2025 in New York, New York (Photo by Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

Yes, vests are in again, and they happen to go beautifully with linen pants. I like to keep it monochromatic here too, but adding a splash of colour will brighten your look and create a summery ensemble. The buttoned-up appeal of a vest helps tighten up the look for a day at the office, particularly with loose-fitting pants. If sleeveless tops aren’t appropriate at your workplace, simply layer a fitted white T-shirt (short- or long-sleeve) on underneath.

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Viscose Linen Woven Longline Waistcoat

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Tailored Linen Wide Leg Trouser

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Chocolate Tailored Linen Wide Leg Trouser

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Tailored Linen Statement Button Front Waistcoat

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With a crop top

PARIS FRANCE  MAY 13 Julia Comil wears a lime sorbet cropped linen cami top by Bondi Born lime sorbet high waisted linen...
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High-waisted trousers and crop tops are a foolproof summer combo. When it comes to waist-hugging bottoms, the cropped nature of the top visually breaks up the outfit without losing its modest appeal. Opt for tailored linen trousers for more dressy occasions, or switch to breezy drawstring ones whenever you need a more casual look, such as holidays or weekend brunch.

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Maje Beaded Cami Top

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Tailored Linen Trousers

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Dark Brown Linen-blend Trousers

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With pops of colour

PARIS FRANCE  JUNE 04 Julia Comil wears a bright orange silk blouse with white piping detail long sleeves by Equipment...
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If you’re going to wear linen trousers in the summer, it’s only fitting to add pops of colour into the mix. Brighten the mood with a pink short-sleeve shirt or tank top, or slip into a pair of pink or yellow heels. (I recommend espadrilles.) Just make sure the colour of the trousers serves as a good base for the hue on top.

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Pink Straight Linen Shirt

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Raspberry Mix Linen Blend Trousers

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Green Viscose Linen Pintuck Top

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Wide Leg Woven Trouser

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In a three-piece linen suit

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FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY - MAY 12: Angelika Hanel is seen wearing a white linen suit blazer with lapel collar and two flap pockets from Massimo Dutti, a white linen pleated suit trousers from Massimo Dutti, a white linen vest from Massimo Dutti, black leather flip flop kitten heels from Toteme, black sunglasses with white trim and logo detail from Chanel, a black Chanel 22 handbag from shiny calfskin with golden chain and logo detail from Chanel, a silver diamond ring, a silver Chaine D‘Ancre Enchainee necklace from Hermes on May 12, 2025 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. (Photo by Moritz Scholz/Getty Images)Moritz Scholz/Getty Images

Pair linen trousers with a matching linen shirt and blazer for a refined three-piece suit. The set strikes a perfect balance between laid-back and polished, serving the kind of outfit you’d wear to a business meeting — at home or in Cannes.

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Linen Suit Jacket

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Linen Suit Waistcoat

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Linen Suit Trousers

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Ballet Flats

With a bustier top

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MUNICH, GERMANY - JULY 1: Anouk Delphine is seen wearing a beige linen like co-ord set from Zara with contrasting stitches; the beige peplum top has a straight across neckline; the palazzo pants have a loose fit and two squared pockets; a chocolate brown rectangular suede hand bag from Cos; her blond hair is covered on the top with an Arket white foulard with black stripes; a pair of brown tortoise shell Saint Laurent sunglasses; a Cartier light point gold necklace; Cartier bracelets and rings; black leather H&M thong sandals; she is holding an iPhone in her hand on July 1, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Moritz Scholz/Getty Images)Moritz Scholz/Getty Images

A figure-hugging bustier over flowy linen pants gives your body an hourglass effect, and bustiers are fantastic options during hot days when you want to look a little flirtatious. Grab your favourite clutch and some heels before heading off for sunset drinks.

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Bella White Broderie Anglais Babydoll Top

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Aurina Linen Top

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Maeve Strapless Corset Top

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Lola Top - Blue Gingham

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This article was originally published on GLAMOUR US.