Men’s Summer Pants for 2022
We get asked so often for recommendations on pants for Summer. So, we wanted to put together a post that summed up what guides our decisions in recommending pants for our users during this time of year.
Look, we’re a big believe that the best pants for Summer are actually shorts. They’re comfortable, breathable, and can really only be worn when it’s warm out so why not mix up your style a bit when you can? But we understand that there are quite a few of your out there that refuse to wear shorts. We’ve heard things like only boys under 10 should wear shorts, I don’t like the look of my legs, I get self-conscious when I wear shorts, and the list goes on. So since we can’t convince you to get shorts a try, we hope in this guide we’re able to help find YOU the best pants to wear during the Summer that will still keep you feeling and looking your coolest.
Let’s jump in!
Lightweight, Breathable, and Loose-Fitting
When it comes to staying cool and comfortable in warm-weather, you need to check-off at least one of three basic attributes for your pants:
Lightweight
Try to find pants that are made of a lightweight fabric. We’ll talk more about the different fabrics content you should look for later, but regardless of the content, you want something lightweight that is not much heavier than your favorite t-shirt. When buying online, many brands will explicitly state that a product is lightweight or made of a lightweight fabric – look for that!
Breathable
Breathability is such an important factor for comfort in warm weather. Two things drive breathability: the fabric content (i.e. linen, cotton, wool) and the weave. Loose weave fabrics allow air circulation which helps keep you cool. Certain fibers, like cotton or linen, have a hollow core which also allows air to travel through them.
Loose-Fitting
Garments that are looser fitting air to flow between your skin and the fabric. This helps to move warm air away from your body and keep you cool. While you might like slimmer pants generally, a looser fitting straight or relaxed fit might be more comfortable when it’s hot out.
Summer Pant Fabrics
Certain fabrics make better Summertime pants due to the nature of the fibers they are made with and their construction. But you’d be surprised at some of the fabrics that are great for Summer.
Linen
Linen is known as the summer fabric. That’s because linen is a hollow fiber that allows air circulation. It is also typically woven in looser weaves which also allows air circulation, and it is naturally moisture wicking which means sweat from warm weather dries quickly keeping you cool and comfortable.
Linen is often blended with other fibers like cotton to help it wrinkle less.
Cotton
The same cotton that is used for your flannel shirts in the Winter can be used to make comfortable pants for you in the Summer. It truly is that versatile. Cotton, like linen, is naturally hollow which helps with air circulation.
Cotton is not a quick drying fiber, however so moisture from perspiration can linger on your clothes which can be uncomfortable on hot days.
Wool
Believe it or not, wool makes an excellent summer pant fabric. Wool, especially fine merino wool, has natural properties like moisture wicking, breathability and temperature regulation that make it perfect when woven in a summer pant. You’ll often find wool or wool blends in tailored products like suiting making it a perfect choice for more dressed-up occasions.
Synthetics
Synthetic fibers like polyester or modal can be created with attributes that are great for warmer weather. Specifically, properties like moisture wicking and breathability create super comfortable warm weather pants. Since synthetics are highly modifiable, you need to ensure the products are marketed for warm weather as some synthetics can be crafted for cold-weather instead.
Occasions
Summer pants come in a variety of end-uses, and you might need a couple of pairs to span the occasions necessary for your wardrobe.
Dressing-Up
When looking for summer pants for more dressed-up occasions, you’ll want to look for linen, lightweight wool, or linen blended fabrics. Like mentioned above, these provide the best attributes at the fabric level to keep you cool and comfortable. For those dressier occasions, look for a typical chino or side entry pocket silhouette. Dressier occasions typically call for a slimmer silhouette, so you’ll want to make sure the fabric is doing its job keeping you cool and comfortable.
Casual
For more casual outings, you can look for both looser fitting pants and those made with the summer fabrics we detailed above. Many summer pants will also have drawstring elastic waists that add a whole other layer of comfort.
You can also look for pants in lighter colors which reflect instead of absorb the rays of the Sun which also helps to keep you cool.
Styling
So now that you’ve found a few pair of perfect pants to wear in warmer weather, you’re half-way done in completing your outfit to head out of the house. Here are some tips on finishing the other half.
Shirts
Shirts for warmer weather typically follow the rules for pants in that they should be made with the right fabrics and be looser fitting. The best shirts for the hottest weather are, of course, short sleeved which can be t-shirts or the slightly dressier polo or button-up.
We think short-sleeve button-ups are a perfect addition to your closet for the Summer due to their versatility. You can wear them by themselves or unbuttoned layered over a t-shirt
Shoes
Casual shoe options include sandals, sneakers, boat shoes, or espadrilles (in order from most casual to least). If you need something dressier look for loafers like penny loafers, bit loafers, or driving shoes.
Layering
Yes, you can still layer in Summer which is helpful if you need your outfit to work for you both during the day and during a cooler night. Lightweight jackets like chore coats, Harrington jackets, or even unstructured and unlined sport coats are perfect for this purpose.
Wearing pants in the Summer can be annoying, especially if it’s hot out and you don’t have the right pair. While many of the pants you wear during other seasons might work on certain days, it’s important to invest in one or two pairs of Summer specific pants so you can be cool and comfortable on the hottest days.
Remember, there are three main attributes you are looking for: lightweight, breathable, and loose fitting. You don’t need all three to have the right summer pant, but you should at least check the box on one of those.
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