Brighter Days: 6 Trouser Colours You Should Try This Summer

When you think about experimenting with colour, legwear is probably the last thing on your mind. But as the weather heats up, it might be time to reconsider your monochromatic trouser rotation. Navy and black are all well and good, but when summer rolls in, it’s a great opportunity to ditch the dark stuff in favour of some lighter tones.

We get it. You feel safe in your blue jeans. However, stepping out of your comfort zone slightly is sometimes what’s necessary to elevate your style and prevent it from stagnating. Before you start hyperventilating, fear not – we aren’t proposing anything too radical. No bright-orange parachute pants or hot pink drainpipes here. Just subtle, versatile options that are light enough to match the changing seasons.

Thinking of injecting some more colour into your legwear game? Here are the colours we’d suggest looking into to make your trousers more summer-appropriate.

Off-White

Taylor Stitch

A crisp white T-shirt is a menswear staple, but when it comes to legwear, bright white can feel a bit clinical. Off-white still signals summer, but without the drama, and it looks good on just about everyone.

One option is to go the denim route, via a pair of straight-leg ecru jeans. Or you could lean fully into the warm-weather theme and opt for something loose and airy in linen for the full vacation-mode look.

Steer clear of ageing West Coast hippy territory by balancing them out with darker hues. A navy knitted polo or a simple olive overshirt would work well. And keep the footwear summer-appropriate and understated with some suede loafers or minimalist sneakers.

Best for: Medium to dark skin tones, but pale complexions can pull it off with careful contrast. A darker top or jacket will create the necessary balance.

Stone

Besnard

Does off-white still feel a bit too ballsy for you? If so, you might want to consider stone legwear instead. It’s less stark, slightly warmer and more wearable. Think of it as off-white’s quieter cousin – closer to a very light beige than a true white.

Due to its understated appearance, stone works equally well in casual and smart-casual settings, making it extremely versatile. Stone chinos will be just as at home with a plain tee and a pair of canvas sneakers as they will with an unstructured blazer and Derby shoes.

Best of all, it’s trans-seasonal, so if you’re looking for something lighter you can wear through the summer and beyond, this might be it.

Best for: All skin tones, but especially flattering on those with neutral or warm undertones.

Light Blue

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You can still do denim in the summer months, just remember to keep it light. Dark indigo jeans work well in the fall and winter, but they can feel a bit oppressive when the sun is blazing down. Instead, go for a nice light wash that’ll reflect the sun and keep you cooler for longer, while avoiding anything overly saturated.

Much like their raw-denim counterparts, light-wash jeans work with just about anything. A white T-shirt is a classic choice that helps make the colour pop. Tan, beige, and olive all complement this shade as well. Crucially, think sun-faded and powdery as opposed to anything too vibrant or electric

Best for: Fair to medium skin tones; a natural companion to paler complexions without draining colour.

Tan

Octobre

Tan is the summer legwear OG. It’s subtle, versatile and light enough to look at home in warmer weather, making it easy to dress up or down. Chinos were born to be this shade, so if you don’t already own a pair, consider this your sign to equip yourself.

Tan chinos are a preppy staple that can be mixed and matched with almost anything to create all sorts of summer-appropriate outfits. Style them with a T-shirt and sandals for a relaxed weekend look, or smarten them up with a linen blazer and a pair of suede loafers in a contrasting shade.

Stick to neutral colours for maximum versatility, and if you want to veer away from the traditional, go for a nice loose-fitting version with a pleated front to add a little visual interest.

Best for: Most skin tones; tan works particularly well on those with a hint of summer sun.

Rust

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OK, admittedly, rust probably isn’t the first colour that springs to mind when you think ‘summer’, but that’s kind of its appeal.

It may traditionally skew more autumnal, but it brings a rich, earthy tone that pairs surprisingly well with light, summery neutrals and light blue. After all, you don’t want everything in your wardrobe to be light and washed out, no matter how warm the weather is.

Think of rust trousers – be they chinos, tailored pants or linen drawstring trousers – as a tool for adding personality to your summer outfits without veering into brash territory. Wear some with a white camp-collar shirt and off-white canvas sneakers for a simple fit that can do a bit of anything and everything.

Best for: Warmer skin tones – rust highlights golden or olive undertones particularly well.

Light Khaki Green / Olive

Velasca

Sticking to the darker colours theme, another one of our summer go-tos is olive or light khaki. These earthy green/brown shades pair beautifully with lighter colours like white, off-white and beige, making them a powerful tool to have at your disposal at this time of year.

They will allow you to create contrast with the lighter pieces in your summer wardrobe, and they’re versatile enough to wear as we move into fall and winter.

Classic chinos are great, but these colours, thanks to their military connotations, work particularly well in rugged, utilitarian fabrics like cotton drill and ripstop. Think cargos and fatigues – trousers that come from the battlefield or the workshop, refined and repurposed for everyday wear.

Best for: All skin tones – the right shade of green tends to be universally flattering.