Too hot for jeans but not in the mood for a dress? These trousers have you covered.
Shorts and I aren’t really on speaking terms these days. They don't quite give me the kind of coverage I want, now that I'm at the age where showing skin is no longer a priority. I love my drapey dresses for that reason, but sometimes I just want to pull on a pair of pants and go.
As a shopping editor, my goal is always to find pieces that blend comfort, style and staying power that you (and I) will like. With the heat waves ahead in mind, I’ve rounded up 10 loose-fitting pants to swap for the shorts that are taking up too much real estate in my closet. From Yahoo reader-favorite brands like Spanx, Loft and J.Crew, these picks are comfortable, breathable and start at just $18.
Depending on how tall you are, these pants might fall into the culottes category (no shade here — I love a good culotte). They give you the same swish as a skirt but provide the casualness that comes with pants. The detail that makes them flattering is the elastic waist with a tie — slipping into them is a breeze, and the little bow in front disguises (ahem) things you might not want to accentuate.
"I love these high-waisted, wide-leg pants!" gushed a petite shopper. "As someone short and curvy (5 feet tall and 140 lbs), finding the perfect fit can be a challenge, but the medium size both fits and flatters. The material is incredibly soft and lightweight against my skin, making it comfy to wear all day long. The wide-leg design is not only trendy but also super comfortable, and the high waist adds a flattering touch to cropped tops, which I normally might not wear. I especially love the roomy side pockets that easily fit my iPhone and keys."
If you keep up with podcasts at all, Quince has probably gotten in your ear once or twice. These pants made it to my list of must-buys after I tried out the 100% European Button Front Dress. It's a high-quality dress, and I've gotten the cost-per-wear down to pennies — and I'm pretty confident I'd do the same with these pants. What I like about them (on top of the super-soft linen) is the slightly tapered ankle, which sets these apart from your run-of-the-mill cropped linen pants.
"Love actually," one smitten shopper wrote. "These are my second pair in two weeks — Driftwood and now white. Love them so much — it’s a great look without sacrificing total comfort, versatility and easy care. Summer dressing doesn’t get more effortless than this."
Linen pants are a spring and summer must-have in my book, and since I refuse to spend another $100 on a pair, I'm excited to add this sleek $30 option to my wardrobe. They have a "quiet luxury" vibe and the drawstring waist makes them comfy and forgiving on an indulgent vacation. I'm eyeing the versatile tan style, but at this price, I may scoop up the army green and rust too.
I know — these aren't loose-fitting, but they are Spanx! That means they're ultra-flattering, stretching and smoothing things out and instantly making your classy summer outfits look more intentional. The light compression smooths your middle from every angle — tummy, waist and back included — so you'll feel confident everywhere you go this summer.
"Love, love, love this pants!" gushed one over-the-moon shopper. "The material looks expensive, it supports the tummy area so well. I will definitely get more colors soon!"
If you really want to keep it classy, these wide-leg trousers have the flow of a maxi dress, the comfort of joggers and just enough polish to fool people into thinking you put in effort.
"These pants are so comfortable, and the material is great for the summer weather," shared a practical shopper with exquisite taste. "They look dressy without even trying. I have thicker thighs and junk in the truck, so I ordered the XL. They fit true to size, but flowy. Also, I'm 5'1" and they are a bit long on me. Nothing a wedge shoe or kitten heel can't fix."
These relaxed beauties from Loft have a generous fit and an elastic waistband for all-day comfort. Add the floral pattern for a touch of charm, and you've got yourself a vacation-ready outfit you'll want to wear to the office.
"These pants are perfect," wrote one satisfied shopper. "They are lightweight and cool, and the fabric drapes very nicely. Can dress up or down. I’m 5’7" and the length is perfect for flats or heels. Pockets lay flat and are deep enough for my phone. I wish these came in more colors."
Choose from 14 colors, including this pretty pink for spring.
Wear them on a plane, out to dinner, to the office, to go shopping — you won't need an excuse to pull these puppies out of the closet. They're also a welcome alternative to heavy denim, casual leggings and wrinkle-prone linen.
These pants are ideal for those slow, no-pressure days — and airplane rides. They're loose, but the leg is not super-wide, and they go all the way down to my shoes. That means that when you're in the air, your legs get full-coverage, they don't touch the floor when you're indisposed (a problem I've encountered with cropped, wide-leg pants), and they're breezy enough for any sunny destination you're jetting off to.
"These are loose at the waist but the drawstring keeps them sitting comfortably on my body," shared a convert. "The legs are wide and very comfy. They make even the most basic T-shirt look elegant, so anything more fancy looks chic and dressy. The colors are basic but not too feminine — they go with everything. Very cool and summery for warmer weather. And the pockets! Pockets for days, ladies!"
It's vacation season, making travel-friendly trousers a wardrobe requirement. The subtle tulip hem gives these pants a unique flair and the elastic waist ensures a snug fit without being restrictive — and the fabric has just the right weight to transition from airplane to restaurant without any friction.
"Buy these pants!" urged a bowled over shopper. "I absolutely love them. Such an effortlessly comfy addition to my wardrobe. I bought these in white, and I can’t wait to wear them all summer! The pockets are deep, plus the pants are super-stretchy and the material isn’t clingy or see-through."
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
