Wearing pants in the summer can be a sweaty, grotesque experience if you’ve selected the wrong pair. Even medium-weight pants are dead to me once the weather gets over 70 degrees — and don’t even mention the word tight. Once it’s hot, I am a dress fanatic. But many of my clients have good reasons for wearing pants in the summer. Let’s discuss.
Why Wear Pants In The Summer?
Personally, I love the sun protection that a lightweight pant provides in the summer. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve become obsessed with protecting my skin. I love to be in the sunshine, but I also love preserved skin. It’s a constant battle I don’t plan on winning — though I try. But of course, that’s not the only reason to sport pants in the summer. Here is the list of reasons some of my clients love wearing pants all summer long.
- Insecurities about skin issues or leg shape
- Keeping warm on days you dress from day to night
- A barrier for grass, bugs, public seating, etc
- Sun protection (obvi)
- Modesty (You never have to worry about showing your hoo-haw like you do in a dress!)
One thing I would like to mention is that too many women are self-conscious about their legs. Your legs don’t need to be hidden, and no one is looking as closely as you think they are. I regularly encourage clients to wear shorts and higher hemlines, but I do understand that sometimes you just feel like covering up, and that’s okay too. I want you to have some flattering pants to keep cool in this summer if you’re not feeling your legs all the time.
As for running cold, a summer pant is a great way to go from a hot day to a cooler evening. Just a teensy bit of fabric can make a big difference after the sun sets and the chill comes in, especially in San Diego where the evening temp drops pretty dramatically. And then there are those gals who simply run cold, no matter how hot it gets. Girl, you need pants!
Wearing a breezy pant can also mean more freedom than a dress or shorts. You can spread your legs or sit anywhere, and anyhow you want. I think even the most leg-loving people will enjoy a summer day in a lightweight pant.
Best Lightweight Pants For Summer
Below I have selected my absolute favorite lightweight pants that I have been putting on myself and my clients this summer. I have everything from the lightest-weight jeans to resort pants.
Last bit of advice here: When wearing these lightweight pants, your body will look best if you wear shorter tops or tie-waist tops to go with the wider legs and relaxed fits.
Negative Island Crop Pant
Simple, COMFORTABLE, and sexy-cool. These are the lightest-weight pants on the list. I like pairing these with the matching top and wearing it over a swimsuit or black bralette.
Available at Negative, Bloomingdale’s
Sizing: XS – XXL. Runs true to size.
Pockets: No
Material: 100% cotton
Zella Soft Luxe Ankle Pants
I also featured these pants as part of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale this year, which should tell you how much I love them!
Available at Nordstrom
Sizing: XS – XL. Runs slightly large.
Pockets: Yes, 2 front side pockets Â
Material: 50% modal, 45% polyester, 5% spandex
GAP Cotton Gauze Denim Easy Barrel Joggers
As you know, I’ve declared these pants the Best Summer Joggers. They’re lightweight, flattering, and come in so many yummy colors.
Available at GAP
Sizing: Regular XXS – XXL. Tall S – XXL. Petite XS – L. Runs true to size.
Pockets: Yes, 2 front side pocketsÂ
Material: 100% cotton
Good American Vintage Straight Ankle Jeans
I’ve been wearing these jeans with this striped tee on repeat.
Available at Good American
Sizing: 00 – 22 Plus. Runs true to size.
Pockets: Yes, 2 front side pockets and 2 back pockets
Material: 99% Cotton, 1% Elastane
Chico’s Brigitteâ„¢ Pull-On Rivet Slim Capris
A lot of my older clients love a lightweight capri, and since Anne Hathaway sported capris in The Devil Wears Prada 2, everyone has been wanting capris.
Available at Chico’s
Sizing: 000 – 20/22 Regular. 000 – 18 Petite. Runs slightly large; size down for a tigher fit.
Pockets: Yes, 2 front side pockets
Material: 76% rayon, 21% nylon, 3% spandex.
Splendid Lounge Wide Leg Crop Jeans
Available at Nordstrom, Splendid, Amazon
Sizing: XS – XL. Runs true to size.
Pockets: Yes, 2 front side pockets and 2 back pockets
Material: 100% Tencelâ„¢ lyocell
STAUD Mateo Stripe Cotton Drawstring Pants
Available at Nordstrom
Sizing: XS – XL. Runs true to size.
Pockets: Yes, 2 front side pockets
Material: 100% cotton
The Best Lightweight Pants from Years Past
I originally wrote this post on the best lightweight pants for summer years ago and update it regularly due to its popularity. I’ve left these photos below for nostalgic purposes. Whenever I update older posts, I love to hold on to a collection of images as a bit of a time capsule so we can watch how our style evolves.
ATM Anthony Thomas Melillo Slub Jersey Wide Leg Pants
Pair these ATM Slub Jersey Wide Leg Pants with a bikini or crop top. They’re available at Bloomingdale’s, ATM, Neiman Marcus, Revolve, Saks 5th Avenue, and Nordstrom.
Robin Piccone Isla Cover-Up Beach Pants
These beachy lightweight pants also pair best with a bikini or crop top. They’re available at Nordstrom and Zappos.
Paige Christy Pant – Vintage Salt Blue
You know I love these pants by Paige if you follow my LikeToKnowIt. Pair them with a shorter top, or tuck in your shirt for the best look. They run large, so order a size down. These summer pants are available at Paige, Zappos, Nordstrom, Shopbop, and Amazon.
Frame Trapunto Stitch Cuffed Moto Pants
You are going to LOVE these Frame Trapunto Stitch Cuffed Moto Pants. You know the drill: wear them with a shorter top, tie-waist blouse, or tuck in your shirt. These lightweight pants are available at Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Frame, Saks 5th Avenue, Neiman Marcus, and Net-A-Porter.
Caslon Stripe Linen Blend Pants
Pair these Caslon Stripe Linen Blend Pants with a crop top or tucked-in tee. I don’t like tie waist tops with a drawstring pant — too much excess at the waist.
Paige Christy Pant – French Waters
This is the most versatile and beloved pant on the list, as you can tell since I’ve featured it in three colors. It runs large, so order a size down. The Paige Christy Pant in French Waters is available at Paige, Bloomingdale’s, Saks 5th Avenue, and Amazon.
Treasure & Bond Pull-On Pants
These Treasure & Bond Pull-On Pants are resort pants with versatility. Pair them with a crop top or tie waist shirt.
Caslon Track Style Linen Pants
These Caslon Track Style Linen Pants can get wrinkly, but it may be worth it for the comfort.
Loft Perfect Straight Pants In Washed Twill – Coral
The Loft Perfect Straight Pant In Washed Twill – Coral is the perfect smart pant for the summer. It comes in petites, so you shorter gals can finally enjoy a straight leg.
Roxy Oceanside Linen Blend Beach Pants
The Roxy Oceanside Linen Blend Beach Pants are great with a bikini or crop top. These pants are available at Nordstrom, Roxy, Amazon, and Macy’s.
Faherty Arlie Day Pants
The Faherty Arlie Day Pants are one of the more flattering linen blend joggers. They’re available at Nordstrom, Faherty, and Backcountry.
Paige Christy Pant – Vintage Warm Sand
Here’s those Paige Christy Pants again, this time in “Vintage Warm Sand,” which is such a great color for darker skinned ladies. These pants are available at Paige and Amazon. They run large, so order a size down.
Loft Perfect Straight Pants In Washed Twill – White
Loft’s Perfect Straight Pants In Washed Twill are for all you preppy gals out there. And they come in petites too!
Faherty Arlie Tie Waist Pants
The Faherty Arlie Tie Waist Pants are best with a crop top. Remember to skip tie waist tops with a drawstring pant. You can cheat this though by untying the top and just tucking it in. These pants are available at Nordstrom and Faherty.
