Credit: Courtesy of brands
Fashion
Beach trousers are trending – here are 12 of the best to shop now for summer
By Kitty McGee
11 months ago
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3 min read
Not a massive departure from pyjama trousers, beach trousers are an elevated, more versatile take on the lightweight must-have summer trousers.
While spring/summer’s catwalk silhouettes were often slimline and sheer for evening, daytime looks were quite the opposite. Lightweight slouchy cotton or technical fabrics were everywhere, with a focus on colour (specifically primary or pastel palettes), and styling that involved flat footwear, such as flat pumps, retro trainers or simple sandals.
The ultimate lightweight item for high summer, then, is the often creased and slubby-looking beach trousers. With notes of pyjama dressing and a hint of boho (but not to be styled this way) they are cool, boyish and, importantly, effortless – and there are plenty of great options on the high street.
Credit: Sandro
There are no rules when it comes to prints: you can go for plain, striped or playful styles. You can layer a shirt over a vest or opt for a jersey top – the trick is to avoid any styling that hints at pyjamas. Unless you are walking barefoot on a beach, I would advise against wearing fine-striped trousers with an oversized, unironed T-shirt, but a supersized cotton shirt and sandals works, as does a sleeveless knit over a V-neck jumper and bright trainers.
Stylist Angie Smith, the arbiter of understated cool when it comes to holiday dressing, styles blue striped beach trousers with a lightweight jersey top (or matching stripe shirt for the beach), tan sandals and an oversized canvas tote bag. For effortless summer-in-the-city dressing, Monikh never gets it wrong. She often opts for block colour styles worn with flat sandals and contrasting block colour vests in red or black. Lucy Williams, who wears colour so well, wears bright cotton trousers with pastel bikinis and clashing caps for a playful way to wear the trend at the beach.
Credit: Free People
12 of the best beach trousers available to buy now
Sandro Louis Barthelemy printed flared trousers
Sandro’s kaleidoscopic collaboration with French artist Louis Barthelemy is a print and colour lovers dream.
Free People Hudson Canyon stripe trousers
These slouchy striped trousers are great for holidays. So great, in fact, that they keep selling out (and getting restocked, so fear not).
Zara striped lightweight trousers
These crease-effect trousers are catnip for lazy packers. Effortless and lightweight, they’re the perfect summer trouser – just add a ribbed cotton tank or sleeveless vest and sandals.
Leset Yoshi pinstriped cotton-poplin wide-leg pants
These elevated pyjama-style trousers are an Instagram favourite. Smart enough for the city, comfy enough for lounging and light enough for the beach, they tick all the boxes.
Shop Leset Yoshi pinstriped cotton-poplin wide-leg trousers at Net A Porter, £260
Nobody's Child blue striped trousers
The delicate red stripe on these cotton trousers makes them feel more purposeful.
White Stuff Lucinda wide trousers
These printed trousers are a great alternative to jeans and chinos and work great with simple basics like a crew neck T-shirt and V-neck knit, but also look great with a bikini and oversized shirt.
Gap linen-cotton-blend cargo trousers
Gap’s summer linen offering is contemporary and understated. These wide-leg trousers will work with everything in your wardrobe throughout the warmer months. Try them with leather flats and a slim cardigan or an oversized knit and white trainers.
Rhode linen Campbell pants
If you’re shopping for a special holiday, I recommend checking out Rhode’s cool, colourful summer collection. From candy-stripe dresses and trousers to printed contemporary separates, you’ll be as excited to unpack as you are to be on holiday.
Tu wide-leg cropped trousers
These cropped paisley-print trousers will look good with backless clogs, an oversized T-shirt and sunglasses all summer long.
Comme Si poplin La Boxer trousers
These chic poplin trousers are inspired by the enduring appeal of cotton boxer shorts and come in burgundy, blue, beige and navy for everyday as well as blue and pink striped for holidays.
Chinti & Parker wide-leg navy trousers
The ideal style for a UK beach escape, these wide-leg navy trousers with colourful details on the pockets are part of Chinti & Parker’s first beach collection, which also includes some excellent neutral and colourful crochet knits.
Casa Raki Alma trousers in chestnut
The most chic linen trousers for the city or the beach, these chestnut trousers look great with tonal linen separates or a neutral fine knit jumper and straw bag.
Images: courtesy of brands
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