Linen pants are the super hero of summer pants. They’re versatile for casual outings, warm summer days, work, and even nights out.
If you are someone who doesn’t love wearing shorts in midlife, linen pants are a great and easy alternative. If you want to wear something other than dresses or skirts at work, linen pants have you covered. And for a night out, linen pants are an unexpected winner.
In this post, I’ll show you all the tops and shoes that work with linen pants so you can see how endlessly versatile they are. You’ll see 25 linen pants outfit ideas that you can easily recreate.
For the linen pants, I’m wearing simple Old Navy wide leg linen pants. When I pulled them out of the closet, they were softer than I remembered. It’s important to wear flesh-toned underwear with them since colors will show through.
How do you style ladies’ linen pants?
Style your linen pants with flat slides or flip-flops and a tank top for a casual look. For work, choose a button-down shirt and ballet flats. On a night out, pick platform sandals and your favorite top. Play with neutral colors, stripes and tops that bring a pop of color to your look. All of them work with any color of linen pants.
What shoes do you wear with linen pants?
Wide leg linen pants pair well with a variety of different shoes. Flat slides and sandals, ballet flats, strappy sandals, espadrilles, and even white sneakers are all great options. The shoes you choose set the tone for your outfit. Flip-flops, flat slides and sneakers create a casual look. Strappy heels, platform sandals and heels elevate your look.
What tops to wear with linen pants?
When choosing tops to wear with your linen pants, fitted tops, blazers and denim jackets, and button-down shirts all work. As do loose tops worn with a front or side tuck.
Let’s look at some outfits!
Looks with fitted tops
Let’s start with outfits created with body skimming tops.
Striped tee with tan accessories
You can’t go wrong pairing a striped top with your linen pants.
Similar Shirt | Similar Linen Pants | Shoes | Bag
Adding tan bow slides and a similar tone shoulder bag creates an eye-catching combination.
White tank top and white sneakers
Throw on a white tank top in your favorite style. Here I’m wearing a hip-length ribbed fitted high-neck halter tank top that you can either tuck in or leave out. Since this tank top is fitted, it provides waist definition so I’m leaving it untucked.
Tank Top | Similar Linen Pants | White Sneakers | Similar Bag
I don’t always love to show the gathered elastic waistband of linen pants, and often prefer to cover it with my shirt.
If you’d rather wear a white t-shirt, choose one that’s fitted since that’s easier to style than a loose t-shirt.
Add some white sneakers for a laid-back look that you can wear running round town.
Striped cardigan with platform sandals
You may have noticed this airy and fresh color combination of cream and a bright blue stripe. I love this playful take on a Breton stripe. And I especially love this color combo with white linen pants.
Cardigan | Similar Linen Pants | Platform Sandals | Straw Bag
Stripes are one of my favorite ways to add visual interest to an outfit. Wearing this cardigan buttoned up with a few buttons open at the bottom helps to define your waistline. Platform strappy sandals are an easy and elevated, pun intended, shoe for summer. The pair I’m wearing makes the outfit pop. Nude wide straps, a slightly square toe and jute braided 2-inch platform create a modern summery look that’s easy to walk in.
Gray tee and clog sandals
Gray is a neutral color that looks great with any color of linen trousers and tan sandals and a bag.
Similar Linen Pants | Bag | Clog Sandals
The brown-toned shoes and bag add a contrasting color that’s grounding and gives visual interest.
Colored t-shirt and platform sandals
Bright colors are a great choice with your linen pants and give a pop of color to this everyday look. Try any color with your neutral pants. I’m wearing a fiery red here.
Similar Linen Pants | Bag | Platform Sandals
This is a simple and comfortable outfit you can wear for a casual day out and about.
Gray tank top and slide sandals
Here’s another tank top color option for you. Gray is a neutral that works with so many colors of linen pants. I’m wearing this tank with some darling raffia slides with a metal chain detail that elevates the shoes even more.
Tank Top | Similar Linen Pants | Slides | Straw Bag
White tank top with clog sandals
You can dress up your white tank top and wide leg linen pants by pairing them with some strappy sandals. Here I’m wearing a pair of clog sandals. Adding a similar tone shoulder bag grounds the look and makes them accessories that add visual interest to this simple outfit.
Tank Top | Similar Linen Pants | Clog Sandals | Bag
Black tank top and black slides
If you have a black tank top, that’s the perfect match with your linen trousers, whether they’re white, khaki, olive green or black linen pants. Black is a neutral color that works with anything. I’m pairing black and white for a chic combination.
Tank Top | Similar Linen Pants | Bag | Similar Slides
For a more formal outfit, swap your slides out for a pair of black strappy sandals.
Jacket and blazer outfits
Adding a jacket or blazer as a third piece to an outfit instantly creates a pulled together look.
White blazer, tank top and platform sandals
An all-white outfit creates an elegant look. Wear this out for a dinner date. Or swap out the platforms for tan strappy sandals and you have a look you can wear to a more formal occasion.
Blazer | Tank Top | Similar Linen Pants | Platform Sandals | Bag
A raffia clutch pulls the look together.
Denim jacket, white tank top and white sneakers
A denim jacket is a great option when you want acasual look.
Denim Jacket | Tank Top | Similar Linen Pants | White Sneakers | Similar Bag
This is the perfect outfit for exploring on vacation when you want to pop into a cafe for an easy lunch.
White blazer, striped button-down shirt and platform sandals
Pair your linen pants with a navy and white striped button-down shirt and a white blazer for a stylish look that channels J.Crew.
Blazer | Button-Down Shirt | Similar Linen Pants | Platform Sandals
The collared shirt and blazer make this a work outfit. The platform sandals give a playful summery vibe.
Button-down shirt outfits
Wear your button-down shirt open and layered over top a tank top for a laid-back look. Try it buttoned and tucked in for a preppy work look, or buttoned and left out for a coastal preppy feel.Let’s look at some outfits!
Light blue button-down shirt, white tank top and white sneakers
Wear an oversized button-down shirt open over top of your tank top and wide-leg pants to spice up your look and keep your arms warmer in AC. Light blue is a solid color that always looks great with white and is a perfect choice in the warmer months.
Boyfriend Shirt | Tank Top | Similar Linen Pants | White Sneakers | Similar Bag
Swap out sneakers for flip-flops and you’re ready for beach days.
Striped button-down with clog sandals
Thicker vertical stripes scream summer to me. Here I’m tying them into this look with those tan clog sandals and a shoulder bag.
Similar Linen Pants | Bag | Clog Sandals
Blue button-down shirt and espadrilles
If you want a laid-back coastal vibe, pair a boyfriend button-down shirt with your linen pants. And wear your espadrille wedges. Espadrilles are the quintessential summer shoe, no matter what style you’re wearing.
Boyfriend Shirt | Similar Linen Pants | Espadrilles | Similar Shoes | Straw Bag
Add your woven basket bag and you’re ready to stop by the farmer’s market on a summer morning.
Gingham linen blouse and espadrilles
A gingham linen top is another great option with linen pants and espadrille wedges.
Similar Gingham Blouse | Similar Linen Pants | Espadrilles | Similar Shoes | Straw Bag
Such a classic summer look!
Striped button-down shirt and ballet flats
Here’s the perfect outfit for a casual workplace. Pair a collared shirt with a pair of white linen pants and light colored ballet flats.
Button-Down Shirt | Similar Linen Pants | Ballet Flats
White oversized button down and slide sandals
This look goes all in on oversized pieces for a preppy coastal laid-back look.
Oversized White Shirt | Similar Linen Pants | Slides | Straw Bag
Choose a white linen shirt or a cotton shirt. Leave a few buttons open at the top and bottom. Front-tuck just half of your shirt if you want to add more waist definition. If you worry about looking like a house painter, choose a button-down with a stripe.
The raffia slides add texture that creates visual interest in an all-white outfit.
Outfits with loose tops
The easiest loose tops to style with wide leg pants are hip length. They’re a bit longer than a crop top. You can leave them right out over top of the waistline of your pants. With longer loose tops, give them a front or side tuck to define your waistline. Or if you’re wearing a heavier material like a sweater, leave it out and falling straight down.
Flutter-sleeve top and flip-flops
Pink is another great option with white linen pants. This top has a flutter sleeve, which is a great choice for the triangle body type that’s smaller on the top. It adds balance to wide leg pants. Rectangular types may also like the soft shape that a flutter sleeve adds to their upper body.
Flutter-sleeve Top | Similar Linen Pants | Flip-Flops | Bag
This shirt is short so you can leave it untucked. This casual outfit would be great to wear out for a quick lunch with your girlfriends.
Striped tee and platform sandals
Pair a white striped tee with a pair of linen pants for a relaxed look that makes a casual outfit.
Similar Linen Pants | Platform Sandals | Tee | Straw Bag
I side-tucked the shirt, which helps to define the waistline by showing a bit of waistband. It adds to the laid-back vibe.
Casual blouse and ballet flats
Pair a casual blouse that’s more elevated than a t-shirt with your linen pants and ballet flats for another work look. I tucked this blouse in all around and pulled it out a bit to cover the waistband.
Similar Linen Pants | Ballet Flats
Sweater vest with platform sandals
I’m deliberately combining a slightly oversized sweater vest with these flowy pants and platforms for a chic laid-back look that plays with pairing textures.
Similar Linen Pants | Platform Sandals | Bag | V-neck Sweater Vest
The jute platforms and raffia clutch bring more texture and visual interest to the outfit. If you have a lightweight sweater vest from cooler months, wear it without a shirt underneath for a fun look.
Light blue blouse and platform sandals
Here’s another date night or lunch look. I would’ve also worn this to work when I worked with college students.
Pair an elevated top like this blue one from J.Crew Factory with a platform sandal and a clutch bag and you have a put-together look that works for warm weather.
Blouse | Similar Linen Pants | Platform Sandals | Bag
Tuck in the blouse since it’s longer.
Olive green top and clog sandals
Olive green looks sharp paired with bright white pants, tan sandals and a matching shoulder bag. I love this color combination. Notice that I tucked in this longer top in the front to help define the waistline.
Similar Linen Pants | Bag | Clog Sandals | Similar Tee
Blue and white striped sleeveless blouse and espadrilles
Whenever I pull out my wedge espadrilles, I think of the coast and want to wear them with a white and blue striped blouse or top like this.
Similar Linen Pants | Espadrilles | Similar Shoes | Bag | Similar Striped Blouse
White and blue stripes are essential for summer. And create a summery and fresh look that’s a classic.
Striped boatneck sweater and espadrilles
You may have spring sweaters that would be perfect with your white linen pants. Here’s another coastal look, with my green and blue striped boatneck sweater. I’m wearing it long and left out for an easy country club look.
Sweater (Sold Out) | Similar Linen Pants | Espadrilles | Similar Shoes | Bag
Pushing up the sleeves helps to define the waistline and adds to the preppy laid back look.
There are so many ways to wear your linen pants. I hope these styling tips inspire you to play with different outfit combinations. Have fun experimenting!
