Sure, we all know what wardrobe essentials for work professional women are supposed to have in their closets, but if you’re buying one for the first time or replacing one you’ve worn into the ground, it can be a pain to find exactly the right incarnation in stores. In “The Hunt,” we search the stores for a basic item that every woman should have.
In our last poll, most of our readers were still working from home for the foreseeable future — but for those of you heading into the office soon, or building up a comfortable work-from-home wardrobe, I thought we’d do a mini roundup of the best lightweight summer pants for women. (We also did a Hunt for the best women’s shorts for summer last week!)
Do tell, ladies — which are your favorite lightweight summer pants for women? If you’re working from home, have you reached for any of your summer dress pants, or are you just sticking with something else, like shorts or activewear?
Psst: We stand by almost all of our choices for the best pants for work in general, as well as our advice for what to wear to work in summer — but it’s been far too long since we discussed stylish summer dress pants for women!
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The Best Lightweight Summer Pants for Women
First, some general categories of lightweight summer pants for women to round up:
- Hall of Famers (specific styles that have stood the test of time): all pictured below!
- Under $100: Old Navy, Express, Uniqlo, Hue
- Plus sizes: Old Navy, Nic & Zoe (sign up for our newsletter focusing on plus-size workwear!)
- Petite sizes: Express, Old Navy, Nic & Zoe, Brooks Brothers
- Tall sizes: Express, Old Navy, Uniqlo
- Pregnancy sizes: See all of our picks for the best maternity pants for the office!
- Special Fabrics:
- Linen Pants for Work: Ann Taylor, J.Crew Factory, Theory, Nic & Zoe, Reformation, Reiss, NYDJ, Eileen Fisher, Veronica Beard, MM.LaFleur, Brooks Brothers, J.Crew, Boden, Loft, Banana Republic
- Linen (plus sizes): Nic & Zoe, NYDJ, Eileen Fisher, Foxcroft, MMLF
- Seersucker Pants for Work: J.Crew, Brooks Brothers (regular & petite), Talbots, Banana Republic Factory (regular and petite up to size 20)
- Cotton Pique: Krazy Larry, Anne Klein, Max Mara, St. John
- Lightweight Summer Pants, Other: Everlane, Hue
These are shockingly lightweight, very comfortable (many styles are pull-on only), and usually have pockets. They’re regularly $39, but most are on sale for $29 today.
Pixie pants are a long-standing reader favorite, especially since they have options from $14–$45, in regular, petite, tall, and plus sizes up to 4X.
These are long-running bestsellers, along with the Express Editor pants — and many, many of the fabric options are very lightweight, unlined, and easy for summer. They come in short, long, and regular sizes up to 14.
These are the priciest of the bunch, at $128–$138, but readers love these for a great reason — their pull-on waistband makes them extraordinarily comfortable! They’re also machine washable.
(Elizabeth thought these pants were a very similar dupe if you’re hunting for more colors or prints!)
Readers, how about you — which are your favorite lightweight summer pants for women?
(Looking for seersucker pants? These are the best ones now…)
2021 Options: There are some great seersucker options at Brooks Brothers (regular & petite), Nordstrom, Dillards, Hilary Radley, and Anne Klein— including some pictured below!
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Mary
Hey guys the Old Navy links are going to the Express webpage. Thank you for the roundup, they are always helpful!
Anon
Also appreciate the round-ups. Another reader here once recommended unicorn dress pants from Lee that unfortunately don’t seem to be available anymore, but those were perfect for curves – no button, cut large enough in the hip and thigh, and FOUR real pockets. RIP.
Anon
Not sure if these are what you are looking for: https://www.kohls.com/product/prd-3045160/womens-lee-total-freedom-dress-pants.jsp I am a regular pear, with heavy thighs, calves, and ankles, and these fit me well…comparable to my Logans. The Lees, to me, are more “sturdy”, think less dressy/drapey and more utilitarian if that makes sense. The straight leg is trouser-y enough for me; and are not truly a straight leg. I also have their Flex Motion in Indigo Rinse Trouser, which is my “dress denim” for work.
The Lee offerings are here:
https://www.kohls.com/search.jsp?submit-search=web-regular&search=Women%27s+Lee++Flex+Motion&spa=1&kls_sbp=46940013362197172082545244073216680684
Kat G
d’oh, sorry about that — fixed! Also adding some options in linen/seersucker
Anon
Does anyone have the marine layer Allison pant?
Anonymous
I just tried them and returned because they were too short (I’m 5’10, so I expected this). In general though I liked them. Soft material, flattering in the waist/ butt and I liked the detail at the bottom. Even though they are too short for me I would definitely say they run quite long – I’m 5’10 all legs and they were juuust a bit too short to keep. I will say I think they are a bit on the pricey side for casual pants, but I usually can justify the $ for ML relative to a fast fashion company.
Anon
Thanks! I’m 5’4 so length shouldn’t be an issue for me!
I’ve been lusting over them for a while, but as someone who only buys things second hand/from TJ Maxx/on sale I agree they’re pricey. But looks like they’re a very versatile pant that’s comfortable.
Abby
Are there any experienced gardeners (real kind) out there? I planted some veggies this spring, and they seem to be doing great. However, one of them is a tomatillo plant that is flowering but not producing any fruit. I read online that you’re supposed to plant multiple tomatillo plants so they can fertilize each other. Of course I’m figuring that out now, when my plant is several feet tall. Can I do anything to help my plant produce anything or should I just get rid of the plant/stop watering it because it’s a lost cause?
Anonymous
Does your garden get insects? Perhaps if it does some will spread the necessary pollen.
Anon
Or use a very delicate paint brush to pollinate.
LeighAnn
Does anyone know of a really truly lightweight tropical wool? I have an Ann Taylor tropical wool suit from several years ago that I wear as separates now because the pants are so comfortable in our triple-digit temperatures, but AT has changed their tropical wool and lines the pants with polyester now, which defeats the whole point IMO.
J
I’ve tried everything and honestly, summer golf pants are the best and no one can tell they are golf pants.
https://www.adidas.ca/en/ultimate-club-full-length-pants/DQ2136.html