My Favorite Lightweight Pants for Hot Weather

KUT from the Kloth Maya Wide Leg Linen Pants

KUT from the Kloth Maya Wide Leg Linen Pants (M) // Madewell Textured Short Sleeve Cardigan (M) // Sam Edelman Calla 2 sandal (8) // Madewell Floral Embroidered Shopper tote // Jenny Bird Florence Earrings // Cyndi’s Bracelet Stack c/o // YSL sunnies

This next pair might surprise you because they’re bright red! While I don’t love the color on me, since I generally prefer to wear bold colors on top or in my accessories, I do love the style. Happily, they just released them in black, so I ordered that pair right away.

These also have a sleek flat front and the perfect 29″ inseam, much like the Joelle. They’re a bit slimmer through the leg, which I prefer, and I also appreciate the clean, simple design. The flat front has no buttons or belt loops, which makes a tucked top look more polished without the need for a belt, and the elastic back waistband adds extra comfort.

I styled them with the same white short-sleeve cardigan, and this time I bookended the look with white sandals with pearl embellishments. I also carried a fun red-and-white floral embroidered mesh bag, which adds a touch of whimsy and happens to be right on trend for the season.

Ruti On The Loose Work Pants

Ruti On The Loose Work Pants in Walnut c/o (10) // Free People Jamie Henley Tank c/o EVEREVE (L) // Quince leather flip flops (8) // Gucci Soho Disco // Tom Ford sunnies

This last pair probably needs no introduction, but I wanted to include it here because I’ve been wearing both the walnut and the black a ton lately, and they’re a nice change of pace from all of the wide-leg linen pants. These “viral” pants are super lightweight and comfortable, with a really nice drape and a trend-forward barrel-leg silhouette that’s perfect for everyday wear, travel, and running errands.

I’ve seen people dress them up for work or the like, but for me, they’re purely a casual pant. My favorite way to style them is with a fitted tank or tee to offset the volume on the bottom, although I’ve also seen them paired with a shorter, boxy tee, which is kind of cute too.

I also wore them while traveling to St. Lucia last spring with On Cloud sneakers, a white tee, and a denim jacket. They were comfortable for a long travel day while still feeling put-together.

Ruti On The Loose Work Pants c/o (8) // On Cloud 6 (9) // Faherty tank (S) // Risen denim jacket (M) // Quince suitcase & quilted duffle

Again, they’re purely casual for me, but I live a casual life, so I’ve gotten plenty of wear out of them. The dressiest I’ve worn them is with a sweater and sneakers to a casual dinner at a neighborhood sports bar on a snowy night late last winter.

Ruti On The Loose Work Pants c/o (8) // Steve Madden sneakers (9) // Quince cashmere sweater (S)

The biggest downside to the Ruti pants is the price. They’re definitely expensive for such a casual pant, but they do go on sale occasionally, so I would recommend waiting for one if you’re interested in trying them. That said, I liked them enough that I ordered a second pair in another color during a preorder sale, so for me, they’ve been worth the investment.

Despite the note on the website to size down, these pants seem to run pretty much true to size for me. I have both the 8 and the 10, and while the 8 fits, it can sometimes feel snug. If you’re between sizes, as I am, I would probably choose the larger size.

Final Thoughts

While jeans will probably always be my first love, I’m happy to have found a handful of lightweight pants that feel like a natural addition to my wardrobe. They’re comfortable, easy to wear, and a nice change of pace during the hottest months of the year. If you’ve also been looking for some good alternatives to denim, I hope this roundup gives you a few ideas.

If you’ve found a favorite non-denim pant for summer, I’d love to hear about it in the comments.