Linen Trousers: Wide Leg, Palazzo, Harem or Tapered, and How to Get the Length Right
Wide leg or palazzo linen trousers are the easiest shape to wear, tapered trousers are the most practical, and harem pants are the loosest. Whatever shape you choose, the length decides whether they look right, so check the inseam before the style.
Here is how each shape fits, who it tends to suit, and how to get the length and waist right when the trousers are cut to your measurements.
Five shapes, compared
- Wide leg: straight and full from hip to hem. Our blue wide leg linen trousers have an elastic waist and pockets, with a stated length of about 40 inches (102 cm) and an inseam of 27 inches (68 cm).
- Palazzo: a wide leg that is cut higher and structured at the waist. The high waist palazzo pants are 40 inches (102 cm) long, with a high rise, a half elasticated waist, a zip fly with a button and functional pockets.
- Culottes: wide and relaxed, with a flat belted front and a half elastic back. The relaxed fit culottes are 42 inches (106 cm) long with a high-rise waist and side pockets.
- Harem: classically full through the hip and seat, and narrower towards the ankle. The elastic waist harem pants are 37 inches (93 cm), mid rise, with a full elastic waistband, a relaxed fit and pockets.
- Tapered: roomy at the hip and narrower below the knee. The tapered linen trousers have a full elastic waist, large patch pockets and a loose fit around the hip. The washed linen tapered pants are 40 inches (102 cm) with a high rise and a half elasticated waist.
Which shape suits what
For heat and travel: wide leg or palazzo. The wider the leg, the more air moves around you, and creases hide in the volume.
For a smarter look: palazzo or a high rise tapered pair, because the structured waist and a zip give a cleaner line than a full elastic one.
For comfort at home or on a long flight: harem pants or a full elastic tapered pair.
For short legs: a high rise and a hem that skims the shoe. A very wide leg can swallow a short frame, so shorter inseams and a tapered leg are kinder.
For long legs: wide leg and palazzo, with a longer inseam so the hem does not stop above the shoe.
Length, inseam and rise: what each means
Three numbers matter, and product pages do not always list all three.
- Length is measured from the top of the waistband to the hem. Most of our pages give this.
- Inseam is measured from the crotch to the hem. It is the number that decides where the trouser ends on your leg. A few pages list it, such as the 27 inch inseam on the blue wide leg trousers.
- Rise is the distance from the crotch to the top of the waistband. A high rise sits at or above your natural waist; a mid rise sits lower.
The easiest way to find your length is to take a pair of trousers you already own and like, lay them flat, and measure the outer length and the inseam. Then compare them with the page. If they differ by an inch or two, that is normal. If they differ by more, tell us.
Petite, tall and plus sizes
Standard trousers are cut for an average height, and the average is a poor guide to any single person. We can make the hem shorter or longer, and the inseam can be changed, so say what you need before you order. The model's height is listed on each page, which helps you work out how the length will sit on you.
For waist and hip, the size guide lists both for each size from XS to 3XL. If you are between sizes, or your numbers sit outside the chart, send your measurements through the custom order page and we cut to them at no extra cost. Our guides to measuring yourself and to plus size made to order linen cover the details.
The honest limits of linen trousers
Linen creases at the knee and seat after sitting, and no cut avoids it. It also does not hold a sharp press the way a wool or cotton trouser does. Most of the pairs above have an elastic waist, which makes them forgiving but not formal. If you want a crisp tailored trouser with belt loops, linen is the wrong cloth for that job.
What linen gives you is airiness, drape and durability. Our women's trousers are cut from medium weight OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified pure linen, which means the cloth has been tested for harmful substances.
The verdict
Pick the shape for how you live, then fix the length for your body. Wide leg and palazzo are the easiest to wear day to day. A tapered pair is the practical one, and harem pants are for comfort. Browse the whole range in linen bottoms. For the numbers behind every garment, see how sizes differ between countries.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between wide leg and palazzo trousers?
Both are wide through the leg. Palazzo trousers are usually higher in the rise and more structured at the waist, with a zip or a fitted waistband. Wide leg trousers are often easier, with an elastic waist.
Do linen trousers need to be ironed?
No, but they crease. Take them out of the wash while slightly damp and smooth them by hand, or steam them. Some people prefer the relaxed look unpressed.
Can linen trousers be made shorter or longer?
Yes. We can change the hem and the inseam. Tell us the length you want, or send your measurements, before you place the order.
What is an inseam?
The inseam is the distance from the crotch seam to the hem along the inside of the leg. It decides where the trouser ends on your leg.
Are harem pants comfortable in hot weather?
Yes. The loose cut lets air move, and linen absorbs moisture and dries quickly. Choose a fully elasticated waist for the most comfort.