Best linen trousers for women: cropped, tapered and wide-leg styles

Just like anything else in your wardrobe, the key to finding a great pair of linen trousers is to figure out your perfect fit and go for a colour or print that sparks joy.

There’s a huge range of linen trousers to choose from. From wide leg, full length styles that work brilliantly on a statuesque frame to cropped, tapered designs that are perfect for petite heights, there's a fit to suit all.

Linen is a natural fabric loved for how breathable it is. It’s much more comfortable to dress in linen come summer than a dense cotton or hot polyester. Brands use linen with a range of different weaves and thicknesses. The more expensive linen trousers are usually priced that way because of the density of the linen, meaning they’ll hold their shape a little better. And, while the affordable ones may not last you for decades, they’ll keep you cool when the temperature rises.

Our forums are filled with reviews on which linen trousers our users have tried, tested and loved to wear, proof that there is a pair out there for everyone.

Here are the best linen trousers for women in 2022.

1. Best overall linen trousers: Boden Turn Up Linen Trousers

Price: From £42.50 | Buy now from Boden

“The Boden linen trousers this year are lovely. They just arrived for me in navy and they are a perfect fit.” (Brand recommended by Mumsnet user Oly4)

Boden’s linen trousers come highly recommended by our Mumsnet community. The brand is known for its high quality and classic design and their linen trousers are a perfect example of this.

This elegant pair has a relaxed but tailored shape which makes taking these linen trousers from day to night super easy. Style them with a Breton striped top in the day and swap for a silk chemise when it’s time to head out for dinner.

We love the attention paid to the waist on these trousers – the contrasting buttons and a generous waistband add style and structure to these classy trousers. They're also available in eight colourways too – just be sure to wear suitable underwear if you go for the white colour!

2. Best budget linen trousers: CityComfort Linen Trousers

Price: From £8.99 | Buy now from Amazon

These linen trousers by CityComfort are a bargain – depending on the style, size and colour you go for, they'll only set you back between £8.99 and £18.99. Designed to keep you cool and comfortable on hot sunny days, they’re the perfect choice for your next summer holiday.

Available in navy, stone, khaki or black, you can pick the colour that works best with your summer wardrobe. Or you can buy a couple of pairs and have a range of outfit options for the summer months.

These trousers are a loose, capri style with a classic ¾ length leg. This style works really well with a statement sandal; why not brave a leopard print pair or a jazzy floral?

3. Best wide-leg cropped linen trousers: M&S Tapered Linen Rich Trousers

Price: £29.50 | Buy now from M&S

“I've got some great ones from M&S that come in different lengths.” (Tried and tested by Mumsnet user AmbushedByCake1)

Marks and Spencer know their way around a wardrobe staple and these tapered, linen-rich trousers are a classic choice with a twist.

The brand's linen trousers get rave reviews from Mumsnet users and the high street hero has a wide range of styles to choose from.

We love the bold navy and white print on these cropped linen trousers. There’s also a stylish tie waist which helps create a sleek, fitted silhouette.

Customers do say that these trousers fit a little snug though, so if you choose this gorgeous pair maybe order a size up.

4. Best belted linen trousers: FatFace Crop Linen Trousers

Price: £55 | Buy now from FatFace

“I've bought nice linen trousers in John Lewis and FatFace in recent years. Haven't looked to see what they have this year though.” (Brand vetted by Mumsnet user SkepticalCat)

FatFace linen trousers get the seal of approval from our Mumsnet community and we love this cropped pair.

With a flattering ¾ length and a wide-leg shape, these trousers are seriously easy to wear. You’ll be turning to them again and again throughout the summer. We love the stylish nutmeg colour, its reddy brown will work beautifully with a statement print the next time you head out for dinner.

Reviews say these trousers fit well and are true to size with customers praising how good the trousers feel to wear. We’re sold!

5. Best linen blend trousers: Sisley Women’s Trousers

Price: £43.07 | Buy now from Amazon

These linen blend trousers by Sisley focus on simplicity and comfort, perfect for long summer days.

The fabric blend is a mixture of linen and viscose which will make these trousers softer than a pure linen pair while still being cool and breathable.

We love the simple construction of these trousers, they have an elegant wide leg and an elasticated waist meaning you simply pull them up.

6. Best elasticated waist linen trousers: Insignia Linen Trousers

Price: From £14.95 | Buy now from Amazon

If you’re a fan of the relaxed, boho look then these Insignia linen trousers are the perfect pair for you.

With a low slung elasticated waist these full length, wide-leg trousers are made for laidback days.

Reviews describe these trousers as having a good loose fit and customers love how comfy they are on hot days. The affordable price point is a plus but some reviews do mention these trousers wearing thin after heavy use.

7. Best supermarket linen trousers: TU Stripe Wide Leg Trousers

Price: £20 | Buy now from TU

These stripey linen-rich trousers from TU at Sainsbury’s are a summer style hit. We love the striped stone colour design. The neutral shade is ideal for working easily with the rest of your wardrobe while the stripe detail adds a fun finish to any look.

The wide-leg shape is flattering and easy to wear and a belt tie helps create a sleek silhouette.

Wear yours with a plain tee and chunky sandals for a cool, off-duty look.

8. Best printed linen trousers: Seasalt Cornwall Pure Linen Wide Leg Culottes

Price: £65 | Buy now from M&S

What’s not to love about these gorgeous printed linen culottes from Seasalt Cornwall? In classic culotte style the legs on these linen trousers flare out from the waist, creating a stylish A-line shape.

We love the bold floral print that covers these linen culottes, though take note of the customer reviews which mention the colours are closer to blue and green, rather than blue and red. That said, even with the colour difference reviewers praise this stylish pair of trousers.

9. Best classic look linen trousers: Joules Easy Tapered Trousers

Price: From £30.95 | Buy now from Amazon

If you’re after a classic pair of trousers that will go with a wide range of your tops and shirts then this pair of linen trousers by Joules fits the brief perfectly.

Joules have designed these trousers in a flattering tapered style. We love that they’ve added pockets and a drawstring waist too.

These summer trousers are available in a blue chambray colour or a shade of deep green they've dubbed ‘seaweed’. Both are versatile neutrals that will pair well with other colours in your wardrobe.

We’d opt for the chambray pair and style ours with a striped t-shirt and white trainers, perfect for easy summer style.

10. Most stylish linen trousers: COS Barrel-Leg Drawstring Trousers

Price: £59 | Buy now from COS

COS are known for their cool, minimalist style staples. These drawstring trousers are a perfect example of how Scandi style can elevate your wardrobe.

We love the exaggerated curve that the barrel-leg shape adds to these trousers. While some linen trousers are just great style basics, this pair are a fashion statement that add instant elegance to your summer wardrobe.

Try styling yours with an oversized, boxy shirt and embellished sandals for an effortless look.

11. Best quality linen trousers: Toast Garment Dyed Linen Trousers

Price: £110 | Buy now from Toast

Toast garments are made to last – they even offer a repair service should your purchase ever need fixing. This commitment to quality makes their linen trousers the perfect investment buy.

These trousers have additional panels at the top to create a relaxed, loose fit. Customer reviews describe how good the fit of these trousers is and how versatile the shape is.

We love the garment dyed colour of these linen trousers. The rich, inky black has a natural feel to it which lends a gorgeous finish to your outfit.

12. Best cotton linen blend trousers: Voopptaw Cotton Linen Trousers

Price: £19.49 | Buy now from Amazon

These Voopptaw linen trousers are a great all rounder. They’re an affordable price so you don’t have to feel too precious about wearing them day in and day out, and they’re also simple and stylish – perfect for those mornings you need an easy outfit to throw on.

Made of a cotton linen blend these trousers will hold their shape a little better than some styles which are heavier on the linen. We love the simple drawstring tie waist too, it's great for defining your shape.

13. Best wide-leg linen trousers: Next Wide Leg Linen Trousers

Price: £32 | Buy now from Next

A pair of wide-leg linen trousers is a brilliant addition to your summer wardrobe. They’re easy to style and keep you covered but comfortable in the sun.

This pair from Next ticks all the boxes. A simple design means they’ll go with a wide range of your tops and shirts and the wide-leg shape is flattering.

Try pairing yours with a denim shirt and a pair of colourful sandals for a fun look the next time you go away.

14. Best smart casual linen trousers: Poetry Tapered Trousers

Price: £125 | Buy now from Poetry

“Poetry have a good selection.” (Brand recommended by Mumsnet user Grapefruitish)

Coming from a brand recommended by Mumsnet users, these linen trousers are stylish and easy to wear.

Their tapered leg will work well with a range of shoe styles meaning these can be your go-to trousers all summer long.

While they do have an investment price tag, the high quality and stylish design mean you’ll be wearing them for years to come.

How should linen pants fit?

There’s a huge range of different fits to choose from. There’s no right or wrong way for linen trousers to fit you, you simply want to find a pair that feels comfortable and helps you to feel your best.

How to style linen trousers

Linen trousers are a versatile wardrobe staple. Try styling yours with a linen cami top and sandals for a casual daytime look. Or, dress yours up with heeled sandals, a silk top and jewellery for a meal out. We also love them paired with trainers for an effortless casual look.

Is linen a good fabric for trousers?

Linen is a brilliant fabric for trousers in the summer as it helps keep you cool. Linen does lose its shape quicker than denim or cotton but it should go back to the original shape every time you wash them.

How to wash linen

Most linen trousers, unless stated otherwise on the product’s care label, can be washed in the washing machine. Remember to opt for a cool wash if you can.

Does linen crease?

Yes, linen creases as you wear it. The higher the quality of the linen, the less likely it is to crease as much and it should hold its shape for longer.

Does linen show sweat?

You’re less likely to sweat lots when wearing linen as it’s a natural, breathable fabric. If you do sweat then linen is much more forgiving than polyester or jersey and it will wick the sweat away quickly.

Is linen sustainable?

Linen is a natural fabric and so a more sustainable choice than many others. Some brands also offer organic linen and fairtrade production, both of which make this natural fabric an even more sustainable choice.

How we chose our recommendations

Recommendations from real Mumsnet users

First up, we weighed up the pairs of linen trousers Mumsnet users have tried, tested and recommended on our forums. Their experiences, including sizing advice and styling, have informed our choices of the trousers you should invest in.

Expert opinions

We also investigated the go-to choices of the fashion journalists, stylists and industry experts we trust the most.

Authentic customer reviews

We then evaluated bestseller lists and investigated authentic reviews from various retailer sites to see which styles were best rated.

Why you should trust us

We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.