It can be tough heading into the office in the height of summer. However, you do not have to suffer the heat in heavy trousers because we’ve compiled a list of the best men’s pants for summer to help you beat the heat.
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It’s easy to throw on whatever pants are lying around for a day at the beach, since there’s no dress code. The real challenge for a man during summer is finding trousers that keep him cool while simultaneously looking professional for the workplace. You’ll lose major style points turning up to the company’s quarterly wearing a pair of men’s yoga pants.
You need to balance the quality of fabric with the proper cut, color-coordinate to avoid any fashion missteps, and find pants that are durable, yet affordable enough to endure the daily wear and tear of hours in an office chair. It’s a tall order with many lightweight pants claiming to do the job, with few actually able to suit up and show up when the time comes.
Best Summer Pants for the Office
If you’re looking for the best summer office pants then we’ve got a great list of you. Even if you just treat yourself to a couple of pairs of men’s summer lightweight pants from this list, then you are ensuring that you remain well dressed but cool through those sweltering office days.
1. ISTO Chinos
Tailored for a perfect fit, ISTO’s chinos are the absolute, sustainable must-have pants perfectly weighted for summer. Crafted from 340 GSM carefully sourced GOTS certified organic cotton, it’s customized for perfection – not too rigid, not too loose. The tapered fit boasts an unrivaled range of motion while keeping a refined aesthetic. The result is a trusty pair of chinos that are designed to look better and last longer than your average pair of khakis.
The collection comes in various classic color options: charcoal, navy, off-white, khaki, and olive. Get one or get them all to have staple items that can transcend the seasons.
2. L’Estrange The 24 Trouser
L’Estrange London opts for a timeless design to their clothing collection, the perfect way to simplify your wardrobe without compromising style. If you ever need some dependable everyday pants, The 24 Trousers is as high-performing as it is comfortable. Dubbed as the classic chino alternative, these trousers fuses work and play together through functionality and luxurious comfort.
Crafted from lightweight premium Italian cotton, The 24 Trousers is honestly super, from the relaxed, wider fit to the gold finish. These summer pants are as comfortable as sweatpants but look smart enough for you to wear to the office. Read our firsthand review of the L’Estrange London Aerotech 24 Trouser to learn more about this versatile staple.
3. Uniqlo Slim Fit Chinos
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Run through a proprietary pre-wash treatment, these develop a slight nap that gives a softer feel that is ideal for after work cocktails as much as board meetings. They might have the name ‘Chino’ on them, but they’re fit for professional work at any level of the corporate ladder.
4. Louis Raphael LUXE Men’s Pleated Wool Pant
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Fully wool with a slight lining for added comfort, the offset button closure and delicate cuffs look out of place anywhere but the office. The pleats give them a full appearance that is powerful, rather than relaxed, creating solid airflow across the skin that makes stuffy meetings bearable.
5. Calvin Klein Straight Fit Cotton Pants
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100% cotton with a relaxed sport fit through the hips and waist, these can easily be paired with a sport jacket or worn with just a dress shirt for a more casual business barbecue look.
6. Original Penguin Men’s P55 Straight Fit Chino Pant
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Built to land somewhere on the laid back end of the spectrum, these aren’t going to be ideal for power lunches, but for those days where business and pleasure are being mixed out on the fairway or a casual Friday where comfort is on tap.
7. Non-Iron Clark Fit Supima Cotton Oxford Chinos
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The Supima cotton is grown right at home and dyed in a set of brilliant colors that are sure to get you noticed even as they keep you comfortable while the mercury rises.
8. Sean John Cream Linen Dress Pants
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Breathable linen fabric builds these to be as gauzy as you can stand while still looking like won money. These linen pants can be accented and worn without a jacket, they’re also the right look for going out on a boat sans socks.
9. J. Crew Bowery Classic Pant
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Fine stripes add a narrowing appearance to these chinos which helps keep the relaxed, roomy legs looking built for business. Cotton-linen blend, the Bowery exists at the junction of work and play.
10. Club Monaco Connor Chino Floral Jacquard
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The black-on-black floral pattern is tough to discern, but it helps set these pants apart from every other pair of dark slacks out there. The vibe is a little more playful up close, but the overall effect is business as usual.
11. Theory Men’s Zaine Patton Pant
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Cotton and Elastane combine to make a stretch pant you can actually feel good wearing. The added range of motion is welcome and gives you just enough space right where you need it.
12. Santorelli Roma Flat Front Wool Trousers
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Capable of being dressed up or down, the flat front wool and French fly make these into a Swiss Army pair of pants that will do your closet proud.
13. Ted Baker London ‘Jefferson’ Flat Front Wool Trousers
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Their Londoner pedigree makes these a little more dense than most summer pants, giving you a three-season feel that can last through the winter if you run hot. They’ll go with everything from parkas to polos.
14. Canali Grey Firenze Slim-Fit Super 120s Wool Trousers
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Made in Italy, where heat and style must go hand in hand, the cut is slimmer than most, but the diaphanous 120s wool makes up for the lack of air pockets on the inside.
15. Armani Worsted Wool Trousers
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Naturally, Armani is where you go to get your light-bending black. The final word in softness, strength, and deadly good looks, they’re costly, but guaranteed to get the job done in impeccable style.
Tips for Choosing Men’s Summer Pants
Aim for Natural Fabrics
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Human beings can put a man on the moon, but all our technology isn’t as effective as natural fibers for letting your body breathe. These also dissipate moisture to keep you cool. Stick to gauze cotton, linen, and linen blends, or any other form of naturalistic fiber with a minimum of synthetics. Tropical wools are best for breathability and cut, but lack a bit in durability. While it can be misleading, even a lightweight denim is too heavy for those mid-summer months.
Bob & Weave
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When looking for the best summer pants, you want to consider a loose, open weave is what you want, though it will cost you a little more. A lightweight fabric is good, but it will feel like you’re donning a set of plastic parachute pants if they’re woven too tightly together. If you’re in doubt, take a breath with the pants over your mouth. The easier the air goes in, the looser the weave, which is ideal in the warmer weather. This also provides malleability to the fabric for a more natural drape.
Loosen Up
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We’re not saying that the best summer pants are those bought a few sizes too big. That would not be a good look at all. Instead, aim for a baggy cut that has the proper measurements to fit, but hangs off your frame. Air is a great insulator against cold and heat, so the more of it you can get around your legs the better they’ll feel. Loose cuffs promote airflow, and you might want to pull up the bottom of your pants a little under the desk, just so more air can get in.
Lighten the Load
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We know that nothing is more professional than strict Jet Black, but that color is also going to absorb heat. Experiment with some khaki or a nice pair of tan chinos, or even go for the full white pants look if you’re feeling up for it. Pastels can also be a festive way to stay cool and bring a little flash to your dire and dour workplace. If none of these are acceptable, go for light grays as much as you can.
Final Thoughts on the Best Men’s Summer Pants
There you have it. Everything you need to dress to both impress and survive the heat this summer. There is nothing worse than having to work through the heat with the sweat building on your legs, but hopefully our collection of the best summer pants will help you keep your cool.
Thankfully, the above list should have you covered. What is your preferred summer office ensemble? Let us know in the comments. We’d love to hear from you.
Maybe your office lets you go full casual in the hottest months, or perhaps the air conditioning is so strong you need to dress for the chill. Either way, hit us with your best (or worst) clothing-related summer office stories.
