These pants are so comfy and flattering, you'll be tempted to buy them in multiples too. (Jeanine Edwards/Yahoo)(Jeanine Edwards for Yahoo)
When I was younger, I could spend hours in the sun during the summer, completely unbothered by the rays searing my skin. These days, however, I slap on a wide-brim hat, sunglasses and full-coverage clothing every time I step out of the house. As I've gotten older, my skin burns like never before, and my tolerance for the sun is just nonexistent.
As a result, my summer wardrobe is lighter in the easy-breezy dresses department. Instead, I stock up on breathable long-sleeve linen blouses and full-length pants that shield my skin without trapping excess heat. I've got loads of button-ups that I love (we'll save those for another day), but there's one pair of linen pants I cannot get enough of. I own five pairs of J.Crew's best-selling Soleil pants, and I'm planning on snagging another for Memorial Day.
Investing in a pair of Soleil pants is a no-brainer. Deciding on a color? Now, that's a much harder endeavor. The darker colors — black and navy — are slightly more versatile, easier to dress up and hide wrinkles better. That said, the vibrant summery colors are more fun and earn me the most compliments by far.
When Yahoo Senior Style Writer Rebecca Carhart included my beloved J.Crew slacks in her best linen pants roundup last month, I immediately reached out to her so we could obsess over them. She is just as hooked as I am; she's up to two colors in her closet.
So what's so special about these unassuming drawstring-waist pants? Well, everything! Linen pants can sometimes feel a bit dumpy and unflattering, but these have a really elegant cut that slims and elongates the leg. The sturdy linen holds up wash after wash, and all it takes is a few passes of a hot iron to remove the wrinkles.
I also love that I can pretty much wear these pants anywhere during the summer. They look good with white sneakers and a simple tee while I'm running errands, but I've also dressed them up with heels and a blazer for a dinner date at a nice restaurant. Best of all, though? They're comfortable! The adjustable waist and loose cut mean you don't feel self-conscious or overexposed. In fact, the flowy fit is what gives these pants their 'old money' vibes.
Rebecca and I aren't the only people who buy these pants in bulk. More than 150 J.Crew shoppers give these magical bottoms a five-star rating, and many say they've bought several pairs, just like yours truly.
"The perfect summer staple. I had been searching for linen pants that didn't feel cheap and that weren't see-through. Once I found these, I went ahead and purchased in two colors!" one fan wrote.
Another added, "I bought these for my trip to Europe. They were so comfortable and easy to wear, they also washed well. I ended up buying four more pairs in different colors."
"Absolutely love these pants," a third linen lover raved. "They drape beautifully and look so elegant — or casual! I do think they run a little large."
Of course, price is a downside here, and this style is so popular that markdowns are rare. But from my point of view, they're absolutely worth the $100; you'll wear them a ton and you'll have them for years to come.
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
