Does anyone else find linen trousers uncomfortable in very hot weather?

[CateyeKate]

I found last summer's heatwave very difficult to deal with. I'm menopausal, can't tolerate extremes of weather and take a medication which makes heat intolerance even harder to cope with.

So over the winter and spring I spent some money on loose fitting cotton tops and linen wide legged trousers as everything I googled says linen was one of the best fabrics to wear during extreme hot weather. It also said viscose so I purchased one pair of 100% viscose Palazzo pants.

Well, thank god for the latter because I have found all the linen trousers to be anything but cooling, I may as well wear a pair of jeans. Even the thinner ones are uncomfortable and sticky. I'm finding myself wearing the viscose ones all the time and changing into very thin cotton PJ's as soon as I get home.

Does anyone else find linen uncomfortable in the heat? The trousers are all 100% linen and fairly thin fabrics so not sure what went wrong.

That how all my linen trousers feel lol.

I think you are right that viscose is nice as trousers - and possibly better than linen, though I do like linen.

Is it maybe the case that linen works well for tops and viscose for bottoms? Just thinking of my wardrobe and I think that's probably where I land if I think of my favourite cool outfits for summer.

I think it depends on the item and quality, I’ve a pair of white wide leg linen trousers from Reiss. I wear them a lot on holiday, the linen is very soft and a little transparent as they are very thin, so they are lined to the knee in a cool thin fabric. I don’t find them hot at all and don’t find they crease too much,I iron them as linen needs ironing.

i also have these two linen dresses, the me and em one is a blend with viscose , and they call it creaseless linen, but it creases more than the Reiss one. But not anywhere near what you’d expect from linen and the creases tend to fall out. I wear both a lot at the moment and I don’t find either hot.

https://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/product/reiss-nybg-anna-floral-print-linen-midi-dress_R04466062/#colour=NEUTRAL

https://www.meandem.com/crease-less-linen-twist-front-maxi-dress-olive-green

100% agree.
Linen drives me mad, too scratchy.
Viscose from head to toe, ankle to elbow.
It's the only way I can cope with heat, these days.

I have cheap linen ( M&S) and more expensive linen ( Hobbs and Joules) I can’t wear any of it in weather over 25°, it makes me sweat so much.

I like a linen blend best - Black Ankle-length linen-blend trousers | H&M GB www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1345196002.html these ones from h&m are fantastic.

100% linen is too thick and scratchy and viscose on its own can be sweaty.

I find linen trousers very cool and comfortable in this weather.

I love linen but I do also find it very hot to wear in a hot weather.

Instead of viscose, you (as in generic you) could look out lyocell instead. Very similar feel and drape to viscose but far more eco friendly production process and better quality fabric. Tencel is one of the most well known lyocell fabric brands.

I bought three pairs of those viral Halara linen look trousers. They look amazing for half an hour, then they go so baggy they are hanging off me.

I chose the size I am, but really should have sized down at least two sizes.

I'm gutted as I can't really wear them 🥺

Are you buying 100% linen, or linen mixes?
I wear a lot of 100% linen and don't find it sweaty.

Apologies, this may not be important to you but Kikoi is worn by the Masai, a Kenyan tribe, that would be East Africa, the fabric they produce and sell under the name Kkoy is Kenyan not South African. Bit like calling a Polish costume British

I have a lot of linen, I can't resist it! But I have one pair of white linen trousers that are thicker and are surprisingly and disappointingly warm.

I have many linen clothes for summer and also linen fabrics at home (curtains and upholstery). The hand of the fabric, how it looks and whether it’s scratchy or shiny and smooth depends a lot on the weave, quality and where the linen plants come from. Linen fabric can be thin, shiny and smooth to touch, it can be also scratchy and looking dull. I have good experience with European linen, most of my linen things come from plants grown in Lithuania, some from Ireland. The fabric can be very thin and see through, or heavy weight (I’m sitting on an armchair covered with 435 gsm linen).

Uniqlo uses to have good quality linen, I have their shirts from 2016 Liberty collab and the fabric after 10 years is still as new, thin, crisp and a bit shiny. Their new European linen garments (2026) are nice too, but the quality has decreased.

Lyocell is great and much cooler. I have some wide leg trousers in it.

I’ve never understood the love for linen either, i don’t find it cool, its itchy and creases like buggery. Nasty stuff

I have this dress from Roman in 98% cotton and it literally feels like Im naked its so cool.
Ive worn it to death this year.

https://www.roman.co.uk/leaf-print-tiered-boho-dress-14884282?utm_source=criteo&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=lowerfunnel&utm_id=206064&utm_marketing_tactic=RETG&cto_pld=6VUosy6CAACNFqUV7rtTlg

I agree. It's about the same as saying that spanakopita is a traditional Belgian dish.

Yes! I find linen heavy, not and makes me itchy, I've wondered if I have a linen allergy of that's even possible.

Much prefer cotton but everything has a bit of linen added for the perceived luxury, awful.

I can’t stand linen! It doesn’t feel cool, it’s uncomfortable and it looks scruffy.

No idea why it’s the ‘go to’ summer fabric!

Nope, not at all. I find linen and cotton/muslin style the best to wear, all mine are thin though? Viscose is grim for me, sweaty and gross.

A lot depends on the specific weave and multiple other aspects of the fabric. That goes for both natural and synthetic. The linen might be tightly woven, making a heavy fabric. High quality linen in particular can be hard and scratchy but it would soften up with wear. That could take a long time and a lot of beating up in the wash etc. My coolest items are long loose dresses in non stretch fabric including cotton and a lightweight synthetic tent dress.

this is the first summer I’ve tried linen. I’ve always been put off by the creasing in the past. Honestly it’s been a disaster for the reasons you mention - sweaty, too hot.
I’m back to all cotton

Are you sure they are 💯 linen ?

I don’t have linen trousers but I have some linen t shirts and they definitely feel far hotter than my cotton ones.

Lyocell is good. Thin, woven not jersey cotton is the best in the heat (Aspiga do it very well)

I'm with you OP, linen's like wearing sandpaper.