Summer is one of the most challenging style seasons for men. So many guys aren’t sure how to look put together without breaking a sweat. The secret? Finding the right pair of men’s summer dress pants.
With the best summer pants for men, you’ll:
– Be able to go from desk to dinner without changing clothes or overheating.
– Feel comfortable without looking too casual.
– Dress according to your personal brand year-round.
So what makes the ideal summer slacks for men? Keep reading for Next Level Wardrobe’s favorite 4 styles and 4 easy ways to wear them.
Best 4 Pants for Summer: Men Edition
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Let’s address the elephant in the room. If you work at an office, you have to wear pants no matter what the weather is outside.
Dress codes relaxed considerably after 2020, but not so far that you see executives and CEOs in shorts.
That’s why it’s important to find a pair of trousers or slacks that work for you, not against you. You don’t want to overheat and most of all, you don’t want to have to think about what you’re wearing.
For those reasons, these are the best pants for summer that men should wear are:
– Drawstring trousers
– Pants made from natural materials
– Light-colored slacks
– Pants in relaxed silhouettes
Next, we’ll dive deeper into why dress pants for hot weather should fit into one or more of these categories.
Light Summer Pants: Men’s Drawstring-Waist Joggers
Athleisure styles get a bad rap for making workplaces too casual. But if you know the right way to incorporate certain elements, you’ll ace your dress code and feel comfortable.
One of the ways to do this is with drawstring-waist bottoms, aka the perfect candidate for men’s summer dress pants.
A drawstring waist gives you flexibility and room to breathe (literally). Plus, the look is more modern than conventional zip-fly fronts. If you work in a business casual or power casual environment, these come in clutch.
Does this mean any old elastic-waist pants will do?
Of course not. You want to pick light summer pants for men in quality fabrics and a well-tailored fit.
Product by Mr. P, shop here.
For example, check out these fatigue-olive twill trousers from Mr. P. What’s great about these pants is that besides the waist, they look like any other well-made pair of work pants. They don’t have any athletic markings or tacky branding.
Furthermore, they’re made of a super breathable cotton-linen blend that not only looks professional, it feels great too.
Try pairing these with white sneakers, and a neutral polo, tucked in of course.
Product by Hartford, shop here.
Want another option? Pull on these navy blue summer office pants from Hartford. The slim-straight cut stops them from appearing too “slouchy”.
Plus, the subtle striped pattern is a great way to make your outfit more interesting with minimal effort.
Men’s Summer Dress Pants: Natural Fabrics
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There’s nothing worse than trying to make it through a 90-degree workday while wearing stuff, thick polyester.
The best dress pants for hot weather are those made of natural fabrics. Why? They’re more breathable, lighter weight, and they look better.
With materials like linen, cotton, or summer-weight wool, you don’t have to worry about embarrassing sweat marks or smells.
You don’t have to reserve these just for the warm months either. Clothing made from natural fibers is a go-to for any time of year.
Product by Aspesi, shop here.
If you’re in a creative industry with a relaxed or fashion-forward dress code, try these Italian-made linen pants from Aspesi. We love the 100% linen make and unique textures.
Partner these men’s summer dress pants with a blue button-down. Finish with a brown belt for a look that can go from a business meeting to happy hour.
Product by De Petrillo, shop here.
However, if you prefer a more traditional look, these brown trousers from De Petrillo should do the trick. They still fit under the category of men’s lightweight dress pants, but they’re more formal than the last pair.
They have a slimmer, more traditional fit and less of that classic linen texture for a refined finish.
One thing to keep in mind with natural fibers (especially linen) is that it wrinkles easily. Combat this by always hanging your pants, and never folding them up in a drawer.
Summer Pants for Men: Light Colors
When it comes to summer pants, men should gravitate toward light colors.
The number one reason is that they absorb less heat. Dark tones like black are magnets for the sun and are sure to leave you sweltering.
Take this opportunity to add shades of white, grey, and lighter versions of brown and blue into your closet.
Product by Canali, shop here.
Ease into the lighter color scheme with these steel blue slim-fits from Canali. We rank these as one of the best men’s pants for summer because of their versatility.
They work with a button-down, a T-shirt, or a blazer. You can dress them up with oxfords or keep them casual with sneakers.
Product by Purdey, shop here.
Ready to dive head-first into lighter shades? Go for these beige chinos by Purdey. If your workplace is a little overzealous with the AC, wear these pants with a dark grey cardigan. That way you stay comfortable and you can balance out your color scheme.
Men’s Summer Dress Pants: Looser Silhouettes
Last but not least on our list of the four best men’s summer dress pants: look for looser silhouettes.
A quick disclaimer: we’re not talking about wearing parachute pants or anything remotely baggy. And we’re definitely not telling you that cargo pants are back in.
But we are saying that summer is the perfect time to reach for straighter-fitting styles.
Why? For the same reason that we recommended the other three pant styles: they’ll keep you cooler.
Think about it. What sounds better for a balmy June day: close-fitting pants sticking to your skin or relaxed fabric that gives you room to move?
Here are two professional options that won’t look overly trendy but will still keep you feeling refreshed.
Product by Ninety Percent, shop here.
Ninety percent’s chinos are one of the best summer dress pants for men out there because they’re made with longevity in mind.
The touchably-soft cotton is built to last and the straight silhouette is a timeless wardrobe staple for years to come.
Product by Mr. Porter, shop here.
Or consider these olive chinos designed by Mr. Porter. They check so many boxes at once: relaxed fit, cotton-linen blend, and a partially elastic waist.
What’s not to love?
How to Style Men’s Summer Pants
Now that you’ve got your four essentials men’s summer pants ready to go, let’s talk styling.
One of the most common things we hear from our male clients is that they struggle with putting together outfits. The first step of that process is to have the right pieces in your closet. Check!
Next, find simple outfit formulas that you can easily throw together each morning with different pieces. Once you feel more sure of mixing and matching clothes, you can build from there.
Here are four go-to outfit combinations to save you time and keep your men’s summer dress pants looking good.
Mens Summer Dress Pants Outfit #1: Just Add Sneakers
If you want to look good at the office but not like you’re trying too hard, try this easy-going ensemble. Start with a workwear staple: the button-up shirt.
If your summer pants are light-colored like the ones in this photo, opt for a blue or grey shirt. That way your outfit has more contrast than it would if you went for white.
Then add your pants and a brown belt. Brown looks slightly more casual than black, which makes it perfect for summer and business casual dress codes.
What clinches this look? The shoes. Styling white sneakers with a traditional-leaning office outfit is the perfect way to update your look. (Plus you avoid looking like the guy who’s trying to out-dress the boss.)
The best white sneakers for men are simple, subtle, and high-quality, just like the ones in the photo. Avoid anything with a flashy logo or chunky shape.
Outfit #2: Be a Monochromatic Man this Summer
A lot of guys hear monochrome and think they should wear the exact same color from head to toe.
But if you actually want to show off your style skills with this formula, mix it up with slight changes in patterns and textures.
Take a look at the picture of Chris Evans above. Believe it or not, this qualifies as a monochromatic look.
He ties in his cognac-brown pants to the hem and collar of his knit polo. And if you look closely at the pattern on the shirt, you’ll see shades of brown and tan.
Also, remember how we mentioned wearing polos with a summer pant? Men can keep polos looking business casual and modern rather than fratty by seeking out knitted versions in core colors.
Mens Summer Dress Pants Outfit #3: Casual (Not Careless) Fridays
Our next men’s summer dress pant outfit goes out to the guys who need to navigate west coast office style.
Not every workplace has a dress code. We especially see this with our West Coast clients. In places like California, many jobs don’t require a button-down shirt and blazer, let alone a suit and tie.
But that doesn’t mean you should clock in looking like you just rolled out of bed. How you present yourself to others massively affects how they treat you.
You want others to take you seriously as soon as they see you. How you dress should say that you’re trustworthy and experienced.
Especially if you’re trying to dress like an entrepreneur or executive who commands respect.
In this case, try something like the photo above. Partner a pair of lightweight summer pants with a short-sleeve button-down shirt. To keep your look smart, pay attention to what fabrics you choose.
Pick out high-quality pieces, stick to the natural fibers we mentioned before, and keep it simple.
Outfit 4: Lighten Up Your Layers
Last but not least, let’s talk layers. We love layering because it’s a great way to add structure and a dash of formality to your style. However, high temperatures aren’t exactly the ideal time to through on sweaters and thick blazers.
If you want to stay cool while still layering, go for something like the lightweight shacket in the image above.
Instead of an old-school blazer, this jacket is light, trend-aware, and much more practical. However, it still ties the whole look together and makes the outfit feel polished.
When selecting layers to go with your men’s summer dress pants, look for breathable options like cotton. Stick to neutral shades for maximum versatility too.
Are you ready to make this summer your best-looking one yet? Apply for NLW’s personal styling services or men’s image consulting services. We have a team of experts ready to find your style and change how you shop for good.
