Linen pants are a summer staple for their breathability and effortlessly cool style.
However, I was overdue for a new pair. So, to find my linen trousers of choice, I turned to brands I’ve grown to trust for high-quality closet necessities.
I went shopping at Gap, Banana Republic, and Old Navy (all owned by Gap Inc.) and compared the fit, comfortability, fabric quality, and price.
Although two pairs earned a potential spot in my summer wardrobe, one didn’t quite live up to my expectations.
I started my search for the perfect pair of linen pants at Gap.
I’ve become a fan of Gap for its wide range of both basic and trending styles.
The store was well organized, and the linen styles were all grouped together, which made it easy to find what I was looking for. Although there were plenty of prints, colors, and style options, there was a lack of my particular size in-store.
I ended up grabbing the linen-blend easy wide-leg pant in a brown gingham pattern.
The Gap pants felt pretty thin.
Although these pants were a bit long on me, they fit well overall.
The thin fabric — made from 55% linen and 45% rayon — wasn’t particularly soft, but felt lightweight and comfortable enough for hot summer days. These pants also didn’t have a lining, but thanks to the gingham pattern, they weren’t too sheer.
I also liked the adjustable drawstring, scrunchy waistline, and relaxed wide-leg silhouette, as well as the clean, folded hemline.
However, at $80, I didn’t think these details were enough to justify the price. So, I decided to keep looking for the perfect pair.
Next, I stopped at Banana Republic.
I’m always impressed with the elevated atmosphere in Banana Republic. Despite being a corporate chain, it feels like I’m shopping at a luxury boutique.
On this trip, I found a few neutral linen-pant options, though they were spread out throughout the store. I grabbed a pair of wide-leg drawstring linen pants and made my way to the fitting room.
I was impressed by the option from Banana Republic.
The linen pants I tried on at Banana Republic were quite similar to the Gap pair, but they left a much better impression on me. I was happy with the overall fit, style, and construction.
The material felt very comfortable and breathable, and even had a layer of lining underneath so I wouldn’t have to worry about them being see-through.
I could see myself wearing these with both casual and elevated summer outfits.
A few small details made these pants feel elevated.
These pants had the same waist and drawstring details as the Gap pair, but with the addition of a button and more visible pockets. In my opinion, these subtle changes made the pants feel more flattering and stylish.
Although they were long on me (I couldn’t find petite options in-store), they’d likely work with a petite fit or by simply hemming the length.
The best part of these pants, though? They’re made of 100% linen. In this case, I think paying $130 would be worth the investment.
Finally, I went to Old Navy.
I can always count on Old Navy for wardrobe basics at attainable prices.
Sifting through racks at my local store was a bit chaotic and messy, as there were some items on the floor. But luckily, all of the linen-blend styles were grouped together.
I decided to try on the high-waisted linen-blend super-wide-leg pants in white.
I was pleasantly surprised by these pants.
My first impression was that I loved the thick waistband, even though it wasn’t adjustable like the other pairs I tried on were.
I was also excited that the length was actually perfectly aligned with my frame. Overall, the fit of these turned out to be my favorite of all three styles.
However, the fabric was also a bit sheer and thin, made from a blend of 55% linen and 45% rayon — seemingly the same material makeup as the Gap pair, but for half the price ($40).
Despite the slightly flimsy material, I would definitely buy these for a simple and casual addition to my summer outfit rotation.
Overall, I liked both the Banana Republic and Old Navy options.
After trying on all three pairs of linen pants, I figured I couldn’t go wrong with the options from Old Navy or Banana Republic.
I think the Old Navy pair would make a great casual option for the season, but the Banana Republic pair would likely be an investment that’d last several years.
However, I didn’t think the Gap option was worth the $80 price tag, especially given it seemed to have the same fabric makeup of the Old Navy pants.
Business Insider reached out to Gap, Old Navy, and Banana Republic for comment.
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