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It's never too early to start compiling a summer wardrobe, right? For the majority, as soon as the sun begins to beam, a rotation of shorts becomes man's best friend. But whether you're not one for showing off shins, or you're under the illusion that to really appear 'stylish', some fabric below the knee is a non-negotiable (you're not wrong) – they just may not be for you.

Regardless of whether you're city stomping or sunning it up on a beach in Europe, a pair of breezy pants is the answer to your upcoming shorts dilemma. Lightweight, versatile, and infinitely more interesting than reaching for the same pair of chino shorts you've had since 2018, the right pair of trousers can do everything shorts can, just with a little more intention behind them.​​

The rules are simple: light fabric, relaxed fit, and nothing that clings. Nail those three things, and you're already ahead of every guy who’ll panic-buy a pair of linen shorts in June. Welcome to the right side of summer dressing.

Scroll on to check our selection of summer pants.

Simone Rocha Wide Leg Belt Loop Tab Trousers

Simone RochaBlack Wide Leg Belt Loop Tab Trousers
$1,130
Buy at ssense

Leave it to Simone Rocha to make a pair of black trousers feel like a statement. These breathable, wide-leg pants would look great dressed up with a white shirt. They’d look even better paired with a graphic tee and a baseball cap. Peak summer dressing, done right. 

COS Belted Linen-Blend Relaxed-Fit Pants

COSBELTED LINEN-BLEND RELAXED-FIT PANTS
$169
Buy at cos EU

On a similar wavelength, COS has been doing the pleated trouser better than most for years, and this linen blend wide-leg is a reminder of exactly why. The relaxed fit makes getting dressed on those bright mornings feel effortless. 

A KIND OF GUISE Chukar Straight-Leg Woven Trousers

A Kind of GuiseChukar Straight-Leg Woven Trousers
$380
Buy at Mr. Porter

Relaxed tailoring that doesn't try too hard, A Kind of Guise's entire thing, and the Chukar trousers are the best example of it yet. These are the kind of pants you can rock again and again without being judged. A summer staple made stylish. Simple as.

Zara Pleated Relaxed Fit Pants

ZARAPLEATED RELAXED FIT PANTS
$80
Buy at zara

Not everything needs a designer label to earn its place in a summer wardrobe. Zara's pleated relaxed fit pants bring the double front pleats, linen blend fabric and easy silhouette that you'd pay three times the price for elsewhere. More budget for second pair, we’re thinking. 

Kiko Kostadinov Brown Fosco Trousers

Kiko KostadinovBrown Fosco Trousers
$575
Buy at ssense

After something with a little more substance? Kiko Kostadinov's asymmetric panelled trousers bring contrast white stitching and a zip pocket on the front leg, details that sound technical on paper but look effortlessly cool in person.

Our Legacy Straight-Leg Linen-Blend Trousers

Our LegacyStraight-Leg Linen-Blend Trousers
$520
Buy at Mr. Porter

The crinkled linen-polyamide blend is doing all the talking here, effortlessly lived-in without looking like you slept in them. Our Legacy keeps the cut loose and straight, the waistband elasticated, and the whole thing feeling like the easiest decision you'll make all summer.

adidas Knitted Crochet Firebird Trackpants

adidas OriginalsKNITTED CROCHET FIREBIRD TRACKPANTS
$95
Buy at adidas

Are these knitted? Yes. Are they warm weather approved? Also, yes. adidas takes the iconic Firebird silhouette and throws a crochet twist on it. Elastic waistband, fun colorway, regular fit, and enough heritage DNA to keep the purists happy.

Uniqlo Premium Linen Wide Pants

UNIQLOPremium Linen Wide Pants
$70
Buy at uniqlo

The most straightforward entry on this list, and sometimes that's exactly what you need. Uniqlo's Premium Linen Wide Pants in grey are 100% linen, 100% loose, and 100% fuss-free.

Rick Owens DRKSHDW Temple Geth Belas Sweatpants

Rick Owens DRKSHDWGray Temple Geth Belas Sweatpants
$1,005
Buy at ssense

If you're going to wear sweatpants in summer, at least make them as cool as Rick Owen's. The Geth Belas in Dust brings GOTS-certified organic cotton jersey, a wide-leg silhouette, and enough hardware to make sure nobody mistakes these for lazy dressing. 

lululemon Grand Standard Pant Regular

LululemonGrand Standard Pant Regular
$128
Buy at Lululemon

The jogger that doesn't want to be called a jogger. Lululemon's Grand Standard Pant does a convincing job of looking like a proper trouser while feeling like everything a sweatpant should.  

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