10 Affordable Wardrobe Upgrades That Will Make Your Linen Pants Feel Very 2023

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(Image credit: @smythsisters)

More than long nights and seemingly unlimited Aperol spritzes, summer is the best season for one thing and one thing only: linen pants. The breezy, lightweight item has been supplying the European fashion set for ages, offering a sleek, breathable staple for summer. Now that the weather is finally warm enough, I've busted out my pairs—all 12 of them (a girl has got to have options).

Even though linen pants might feel timeless, I'm sometimes itching to bring them to the present moment by incorporating celebrity-approved runway trends that have been taking over my brain and For You page. Thankfully, I've nailed down 10 easy, affordable items to pair linen pants with to make them feel extra fresh. You can thank me later!

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Floral Appliqués
(Image credit: @sophiarichiegrainge)

Take a cue from Sophia Richie, the princess of summer style. The best way to take linen pants from basic to beautiful is to fold ultra-trendy elements into your look. While 3D details have been all the rage this year, there's nothing like pairing this It-girl item with a crisp pair of white tailored pants.

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Matching Vests
(Image credit: @katcollings)

Linen vests and pants go so well together. Not only is this timeless outfit combination a no-brainer when, but the elevated, chic look feels on-trend given the rising popularity of the quiet-luxury trend. 

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White High-Neck Tanks
(Image credit: @thevisuelofgrace)

Long gone are the days of too-low scoop-neck tank tops. The fashion set has decided to embrace sophisticated styles with high necklines this summer, and who can say no to an emerging trend when paired with breezy linen pants?

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Black Bodysuits
(Image credit: @lindatol_)

While linen pants are the sudden rich auntie pant of choice, at the end of the day, they're still one of the most comfortable options. If you're heading to the beach, you can wear a pair over a classic black one-piece swimsuit. For those not heading to a beach anytime soon, a sleek, black body suit works just as well.

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Sleek Sandals
(Image credit: @anoukyve)

There's no time like summer to break out a slinky, sexy pair of sandals or mules. Since linen pants veer on the casual side, opt for the on-trend shoe silhouette to maximize your impact and make any pair bar-appropriate. 

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Retro Sunnies
(Image credit: @deborabrosa)

Just like linen pants are most Europeans' hero item for summer, so are tiny retro sunglasses straight from the '80s and '90s. If you don't have any sickeningly chic hand-me-downs, Le Spec's elevated Outta Love shades are a favorite among celebs like Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner.

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Striped Shirts
(Image credit: @fakerstrom)

French girls, your uniform is calling. Pair your linen pants with a simple striped classic courtesy of the Parisian fashion set. You'll look straight out of Le Marais, the neighborhood of choice for the cool scene in the city.

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Flatform Thong Sandals
(Image credit: @Monikh)

There's never been a pair of thong sandals I haven't liked. If you're planning on packing your pair of linen pants on vacation, opt to wear them outside of the poolside cabanas by pairing them with flatform flip-flops. The edgy style, made popular by The Row's chunky Ginza sandals, is my go-to look in the summer. Plus, there's pairs on the internet for less than $50. Score.

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Oversized Linen Blazers
(Image credit: @anna__laplaca)

A baggy blazer never goes out of style, even in the summer. Instead of the traditional boxy black style, opt for a light linen-blend option with a pair of your favorite linen-blend trousers.

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Sophisticated Tube Tops
(Image credit: @smythsisters)

A sleek tube top belt has been my go-to accessory for transforming nearly every pair of trousers I have into something that feels incredibly current.

Next, This Expensive-Looking Trend Is Seriously Chic (If You Avoid Coffee and Kids)

Assistant Shopping Editor
Ana Escalante is an award-winning journalist and Gen Z editor whose work ranges from dissecting size inclusivity at fashion week to discussing how American Girl Doll meme accounts are the the answer to society's collective spiral. She's covered it all: Queen Elizabeth II's corgis, Roe v. Wade frontline protests, and the emergence of jorts (or jean shorts for the uninitated). AtBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing , Ana is responsible for delivering smart, insightful, personality-driven shopping guides and trend features for a digital-first generation.Before joiningBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing , Ana was Glamour magazine's editorial assistant, where she focused on daily news and special packages, including leading the brand's 2022 Met Gala coverage. For more than half a decade, she has covered style, beauty, and digital culture for publications such as Paper magazine, Harper's Bazaar, Vogue Japan, and Allure, among others. Ana has been called a rising star in media by publications such as Nylon and Teen Vogue. (Her mother, meanwhile, calls her "the coolest person" she knows.)