I Just Tried On 4 Pairs of COS Linen Trousers That Your Summer Wardrobe Needs to See

Linen trousers are a seriously chic summer staple that I would argue every woman needs in their wardrobe for the warmer months. They're just so versatile. They can look smart for work, evenings and events, or relaxed and dressed down for weekends and beach holidays. Linen itself is such a timeless, ageless fabric that gives off polished vibes, but crucially it's also light and comfortable for when those heatwaves hit. You can see why, then, a great pair of linen trousers is incredibly useful to have in your arsenal for summer.

In fact, I'd consider myself somewhat of an expert in the linen trouser field. Mostly thanks to the sheer amount of styles I've tried in the past—both for my own collection and for work purposes. From super luxury high end labels such as The Row and Loro Piana to the likes of H&M and Zara. And while, of course, quality and design is almost always reflected in the price, linen is linen right? So I tend to aim for somewhere in the middle. In my experience, it's the premium high street brands like Reformation, Massimo Dutti and COS that offer both affordability and great quality linen designs.

After having a quick browse at what the new-in sections of my favourite stores were offering recently, I couldn't help but notice COS in particular had so many great linen trousers on offer. And since anyone who's anyone in fashion turns to COS for great trousers, I thought I'd pop in to the store and do a linen trouser try on, to put all their styles to the test and see which ones (if any) were worth reporting back to you on.

Unsurprisingly I could have left the store with my bank account feeling a lot lighter, but there were four pairs of COS linen trousers I tried on that felt really standout, with each pair also ticking a different useful box. Keep scrolling to see my reviews and shop these incredibly chic pairs...

1. COS Linen Drawstring Trousers

Best For: Summer workwear.

My Review: Black may seem counter-intuitive for summer dressing, but when it comes to linen trousers I always tend to lean towards it as a way to smarten them up a bit—especially since the breezy fabric allows you to stay cool anyway. That's why this pair of black tailored drawstring linen trousers stood out to me as the perfect pair for wearing to work in the summer. The belt loops, front pleat and button closure keep them feeling more tailored and appropriate for the office, but the drawstring adds a nice relaxed finish, with the added functionality of being able to get the perfect fit around the waist. For reference, Im 5'2" usually between a UK size 8-10 and I err on the smaller side in COS usually as I find their sizing to come up a little big, especially in trousers.

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2. COS Wide-Leg Linen Drawstring Trousers

Best For: Wearing on holiday.

My Review: I have to say I just love a pull-on drawstring waist wide-leg linen trouser in summer. They're insanely comfy and great for chucking on over a bikini or swimsuit. Plus, you can adjust the fit around the waist as you need (usually after an over-indulgent long lunch at a beach bar for me). This chocolate brown shade immediately jumped out at me across the store as I'm a little bit obsessed with how chic it feels to wear this unexpected colour in summer, but the peach version is also really nice. These guys fit quite loose and long, so I'd suggest sizing down if you're between sizes, and petites like me might need to call a tailor to avoid too much pooling at the ankles if you plan on wearing them with flat flip flops. But honestly I haven't seen any other linen trousers quite as nice on the market this year, so it's worth the alterations for me.

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3. COS Straight-Leg Tailored Linen Trousers

Best For: Fans of a co-ord.

My Review: On their own these felt like a pretty standard (albeit great) pair of linen trousers. They've got a straight-leg fit (wide but not capaciously wide) and an elasticated waistband with a hidden drawstring on the inside (a great touch, thanks COS) so you still get that adjust-ability without detracting from the smartness. They also come in five different colours (they're a style COS repeatedly brings back every summer, meaning you know they're bestseller level good). However, it was only when I tried them on with the matching linen shirt that I was really won over. It's SUCH a chic creamy coloured set, and the linen is so thick in quality, it doesn't even feel like it would crease as easily as the more flimsy styles you can find across the high street. I could instantly imagine so many ways to dress this set up or down, so it's a yes from me.

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4. COS Linen Culottes

Best For: Fans of a cropped length.

My Review: I wouldn't normally call myself a culottes kind of gal. Truthfully I've never found the cut that flattering, as they can often hit right in the middle of the calf which cuts me off as a petite person. I do, however, love a cropped trouser to be able to show off a bit of skin at the ankle and not have constantly mucky hems from them dragging on the floor, so I thought I'd give these a quick try. In fact, I ended up really loving them. Probably because me being shorter actually meant they hit lower on me, just above the ankle which felt much more flattering. Another pro of culottes is that they go so easily with basically any type of summer footwear you can think of: flip flops, chunky sandals, ballet flats, heels, you name it and you can throw it on with a cropped culotte. Again, the quality of the linen here feels insanely good. I can just see myself getting so much wear out of these for many summers to come.

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