Jennifer Lawrence and Katie Holmes Were Spotted in Breathable, Lightweight Linen Pants for Summer — Shop Similar Styles from $29

The materials you wear can make all the difference between a comfortable summer outfit, and one you want to strip off as soon as you find a good fan. 

Linen is a highly breathable fabric that creates some airflow on days when a good breeze is nowhere to be found, and celebrities have taken note. Emma Watson has been spotted in a drawstring silhouette, while Katie Holmes took advantage of the high-waisted breezy look, and Gigi Hadid, Jennifer Lawrence, and Gwyneth Paltrow leaned toward the capris comeback that has a chokehold on Hollywood.

Read on for our favorite celebrity linen pants trends of 2024, in a variety of silhouettes and prices, so you can find your perfect summer ‘fit.

High-Waisted Ultra Wide-Leg Linen Pant

“Linen pants have always been a staple for a sun-soaked summer, but only in recent years have they become a must-have, trend-forward wardrobe piece,” says Volpe. She credits this to their versatility and “wide array of silhouettes and colorways.” Volpe says a trend she most enjoys is “a repeat-offender: the high-waisted, ultra wide-leg linen pants,” which Katie Holmes, Jessica Biel, and Drew Barrymore have been sporting. 

This long-standing trend creates a more defined shape on many body types and is highly breathable. “For those average to above average in height, this silhouette lengthens the leg and reduces the width of the waist by cinching at the center of your midsection,” says Volpe. She suggests styling it with a crop top or loose blouse.

Madewell Harlow Wide-Leg Pant in 100% Linen

A wide-leg trouser creates so much breathability and an air of sophistication that cannot be matched. Volpe recommends the Harlow Linen Pant at Madewell because the brand offers a wide range of sizes for a fair price. With this particular pair, Volpe says, “The silhouette and colorway is season-transitional and can be worn with strappy heels for a night out or platform sneakers for a casual park stroll.” Grab classic black, or venture into muted hues like dark copper and pumice gray.

Material: Linen | Sizes: 00–16 | Fit: Petite, standard, tal, and plus | Colors: 7 | Machine Washable: Yes

Banana Republic Factory Linen-Blend Palazzo Pant

These tailored wide-leg palazzo pants from Banana Republic Factory have a professional aesthetic for the office yet are playful enough for the cobblestone streets of Europe. Regardless of your summer commute and resulting destination, these pleated linen pants will keep you cool and comfortable for any journey.

Material: 52% linen, 45% cotton, 3% elastane spandex | Sizes: 0–20 | Fit: Regular, petite | Colors: Preppy navy, flax, and black | Machine Washable: Yes

Old Navy High-Waisted Linen-Blend Wide-Leg Pants

Shopping editor Kayla Kitts bought these high-waisted linen-blend pants last spring and is “still obsessed with them more than a year later.” She owns the olive and black pairs and keeps them in her rotation constantly. “As a petite and curvy woman, I love that the high-waisted design covers my stomach, while the length hits right below my ankles. If you like a comfortable, wide-leg look, these are a great, breathable buy for warm-weather months,” she says, adding, “Plus, they come with pockets!”

Material: 55% linen, 45% rayon | Sizes: XS–4X | Fit: Regular, tall, and petite | Colors: 8 | Machine Washable: Yes, but use instruction label

Dissh Norah Black Linen Pant

Dissh is a unique Australian fashion brand “owned, run, and led by women”, praises Volpe. It aims to let wearers create effortless style as part of their everyday habits. The Norah Linen Pant creates the classic trouser silhouette in a way that screams “effortless, elevated, simple but stylish” per Volpe. A few things to keep in mind: The waist is fitted without any stretch so you should buy it in your actual size, and it comes in three colorways – black, white, and cream. Dissh pieces usually cost close to $200, but the pants lie just under $100.

Material: 100% linen | Sizes: 2–12 | Fit: N/A | Colors: 4 | Machine Washable: Yes, cold hand wash or machine wash, delicate cycle, line dry

Drawstring Linen Pant

Another trend we’re seeing pop off for summer is the drawstring linen pant, worn by Emma Watson at Wimbledon in a show of Barbiecore pink. Watson paired the whimsical pants with a collared sleeveless button-up and completed the look with some white ballet flats. Volpe likes “an expandable drawstring for comfort” as well as offering a “casual look versus a zip-up” closure.

Many drawstring styles of linen bottoms take on a jogger-like appearance, much like the breezy pair Kate Hudson took for a ride around England earlier this month. Volpe suggests embracing the informal look of drawstring linen pants, and styling them with a “torn-up vintage band T-shirt or raw edge tank.”

Amazon Essentials Linen Blend Drawstring Wide Leg Pant

As the most budgeted pair of linen pants on our list, these drawstring pants might seem like an underdog, but with 2,500+ 5-star ratings on Amazon, their quality might surprise you. They have the same drawstring look with a straighter silhouette that hugs your natural leg line, as compared to our other wide-leg flare picks. And as a linen-cotton blend, they’re easy to wash; just throw them in the laundry machine.

Material: 55% linen, 45% cotton | Sizes: XS–6X | Fit: Relaxed | Colors: 11 | Machine Washable: Yes

J.Crew Soleil Pant in Linen

The Soleil Pant offers a fully linen fabric that’s breathable, sophisticated, and machine washable (a rarity for 100-percent linen). “This pair has the slightest waistline detail that elevates a casual summer look,” fashion stylist Elisabeth Kassab tells PEOPLE. “You can wear these over a bikini or with a T-shirt and heels, and it’s effortlessly chic.” Plus, it comes in eye-catching colors like vintage red, french blue, and snapdragon pink, and a range of sizes and lengths.

Material: 100% linen | Sizes: XXXS–3X | Fit: Petite, classic, and tall | Colors: 8 | Machine Washable: Yes

H&M Linen-Blend Pants

If you’re looking for a light pair of linen pants for boat days, beachside brunches, and vacation travel, this linen-blend pair from H&M is ideal. The material is thick enough not to see-through, but it’s still breathable. It comes in an array of neutral colors, perfect as a basic among other travel clothes — and you machine wash it for easy upkeep.

Material: 42% linen, 58% rayon, lining is polyester | Sizes: XS–XXL | Fit: Relaxed | Colors: Black, light beige, white | Machine Washable: Yes, wash cold

Capri Linen Pant

The last trend we’ll dive into is the hallowed capris, the crop-at-your-shin pant that has made a vengeful comeback with celebrities like Jennifer Lawrence, Katie Holmes, Gwyneth Paltrow, and even Gigi Hadid. “Capri pants have always been a hit or miss for me, however, one unique and playful linen pant trend I’m seeing is the linen capri,” admits Volpe.

Capris generally offer a more tailored fit, so you have the flexibility of styling them up or down. For a more casual look, throw on a fitted T-shirt, or elevate the pants with a blouse of some kind. Lawrence wore a light cardigan with her striped capris, whereas Paltrow went with a stylish collared shirt combo. Either way, capris are here to stay, so here’s where to grab similar styles.

Anthropologie Smocked Linen Pants

Just south of true capris, these smocked linen pants are such a fun wardrobe piece to have on hand for summer — especially when paired with the matching smocked, strapless top. Though not 100-percent linen, the blend allows for easy washing via a laundry machine. We love the wide-leg silhouette of these pants, which only adds to the comfort provided by an elastic waist.  

Material: Linen/viscose blend | Sizes: XXS–XL | Fit: Elastic waist | Colors: Neutral, dark green | Machine Washable: Yes

LaovanIn Linen Cropped Pants Tapered Ankle Capris

The LaovanIn Linen Cropped Pants almost have a trash bag pant shape to them, even though they’re tailored — a funky design element that we love. Made with 100 percent linen, the pants are highly breathable, soft on your skin, and available in a few whimsical colors like a neon yellow, burnt sienna, black, beige, and white (though the white is a little see-through). And for just $40, the LaovanIn pants are the second least expensive option on our list.

Material: 100% linen | Sizes: M–XXL | Fit: Midrise | Colors: 6 | Machine Washable: Yes

Gap High Rise Linen-Cotton Pull-On Pants

Though “pull-on” might be misleading given their zipper closure, these linen pants do have a seamless look. With wide pockets (perfect for storing a phone or trendy wallet) and a hemline cut just above the ankle, these pants are an ideal capris for summer. They also have a high waist for fuller stomach coverage; a good base for a crop top. 

Material: 55% linen, 45% cotton | Sizes: XXS–XXL | Fit: Classic | Colors: 4 | Machine Washable: Yes

Free People Livin’ In It Cotton Linen Pants

Even a linen blend can offer much of the same ventilation as pure linen, especially when combined with another breathable fabric like cotton. These linen pants from Free People come in “an array of fun colors” (Volpe’s favorites are Mazarine blue and Scales green), and are “made of a durable yet soft linen-organic cotton blend,” she says. At $68, the versatile pants are a solid value, with a wide-leg silhouette that can be dressed down or up with a “printed crop top and Simon Miller slide.”

Material: 55% linen, 45% cotton | Sizes: XS–XL | Fit: N/A | Colors: 7 | Machine Washable: Yes, cold wash

What to Know About Linen Pants

Price Runs Higher Than Other Fabrics

Linen is a wonderfully versatile fabric, but depending on the brand, it can cost you a pretty penny — though we’ve done our best to find top picks under $100. That said, if you want the feeling of linen on a slightly more budget-friendly price point, consider a linen blend since they tend to run a little less — like the Amazon Essentials drawstring pants ($32) and the Free People cotton-linen pants ($68).

Silhouettes Vary

Obviously, we’re talking about trends, and the biggest three that stylists like Volpe have seen are the high-waisted wide-leg silhouette, drawstring a-line silhouette, and the longstanding capri silhouette. Certain silhouettes will be more flattering on various body types, but it all comes down to what will make you feel comfortable and confident. 

If you’re tall, a capri pant might not be the best silhouette, but a long wide-leg linen trouser — like the Madewell Harlow Wide-Leg Pant — could look amazing. Those who like a little forgiveness in the midsection (personally, I love an elastic waistband!) might find favor with a drawstring linen pant like the J.Crew Soleil Pant. And if you want to give your shoes a moment to shine or like to show a little skin, then capris like the Gap High Rise Pull-On Pants could be a fabulous option.

Color and Opacity Are Key

Linen can be sheer, which adds to its breathability, but you have to keep that in mind when selecting colors. If you’re in a tropical climate, it makes sense to go for whites, beiges, and nude colors (however, prepare accordingly with a pair of period underwear). There are so many fun prints and patterns to play with when wearing linen, but on our list, we really honed in on color blocks and solids. For instance, a burnt sienna like the one available with the LaovanIn Linen Cropped Pants Tapered Ankle Capris could be a perfect transitional piece to move into fall.

FAQs

Why is linen so popular in the summer?

It comes down to how cool it feels. Linen is a material you can walk down the street in and still feel some airflow — a relief on hot summer days. Plus, Volpe points out that “linen pants now come in a wide array of silhouettes and colorways that can be worn for an upscale pool party out East or to a sizzling Sunday brunch at Sant Ambroeus.” Whether you wear them “uptown, downtown, midtown, around town, beachside, poolside, inside, outside — linen pants are the grab-and-go item for all of your summer outings,” says Volpe.

What is the best linen trend?

Jury’s out on this one. “To limit linen pants to one trend is to limit an apple to the Gala,” says Volpe. “There are so many new and exciting variations — front pleats, embroidery, drawstrings, embellishment, cropped, cargo, wide-leg, mid-rise, low-rise — the fierce and fabulous linen pant trend is abundant!” So, for now, we’ll say the best linen trend is the one you feel your best wearing — whether linen pants, linen dresses, or linen blouses.

Why Trust PEOPLE?

Madison Yauger is a shopping editor for PEOPLE who’s covered a handful of celebrity fashion trends such as celeb-inspired sweaters, the handbag Courteney Cox carries, and the shoes Chrissy Teigen wears ‘every single day’. For this story, she interviewed celebrity stylist Chelsea Volpe to learn about the latest trends surrounding linen pants. She got additional linen pant recommendations from stylist Elisabeth Kassab. She also researched the linen pants market, paying close attention to the styles celebrities have been spotted wearing for summer. She looked at the percentage of linen in each style, as well as the size options, colorways, prices, silhouettes, and washability to provide a range of options for everyone.