Summer Style

Too Hot for Jeans, Not Keen on Shorts?

When the warmer weather arrives, finding the right trousers isn’t always simple. We’re exploring an easygoing alternative to your usual jeans, along with a few lovely ways to bring colour into your everyday wardrobe.

By Sarah, Fashion & Style Writer · 5 min read

It usually happens on the first properly hot morning.

You pull your favourite jeans off the shelf, and they already feel warm in your hands. You think about the day ahead. The walk to the shops. The car that’s been sitting in the sun. Lunch at a café with not quite enough shade.

So you open the drawer with the shorts in it. And you close it again.

It isn’t that anything is wrong with shorts. They just don’t feel like you. So you stand there, a bit stuck, wondering what on earth you’re meant to wear for the next few months.

If that sounds familiar, you’re in very good company.

The summer in-between problem

Read any women’s style forum when the weather warms up, and you’ll find the same conversation, year after year. Too warm for jeans. Not keen on shorts. So what do I wear?

The answers are lovely in how honest they are. Women write that jeans feel heavy and sticky by mid-morning, and that the waistband starts to dig in once the heat builds. Others say they’ve tried on pair after pair of shorts, bought a couple, and sent them straight back because they never felt comfortable. Some simply prefer a bit more coverage, whether that’s for their knees, a few veins, or skin that’s seen plenty of sun over the years.

None of that is vanity. It’s about feeling at ease in your own clothes. When you’re comfortable, you forget what you’re wearing and enjoy your day. When you’re not, you notice it every time you catch your reflection in a shop window.

Why so many women are talking about it this year

Part of it is the weather. The Bureau of Meteorology’s latest outlook says daytime temperatures are very likely to be above average for most of Australia from November to January, with a higher chance of really hot days. A long, warm summer means the jeans question comes up much sooner.

Part of it is fashion, too. Tight, stiff trousers have been giving way to relaxed, pull-on styles with soft waistbands and a looser leg. Australian style writers keep pointing to the same thing for 2026: comfortable clothes that still look considered, with linen and linen blends as a summer staple.

In other words, the easygoing trouser has quietly gone from “weekends only” to something you can wear almost anywhere.

What we’re really looking for

When you read what women say they want, it’s surprisingly simple.

• Cool legs, without showing more than you’d like.
• A waistband that stays comfy all day, even after lunch.
• Pockets. Real ones.
• Something that looks like proper clothes, not something you slept in.
• A pair that works with sneakers on Tuesday and sandals on Saturday.
• As little ironing as possible.

It’s not a big wish list. But finding all of it in one pair can feel like quite a hunt.

An easygoing alternative to your jeans

This is where a relaxed cotton-linen pant comes in. One I keep coming back to is the Ella™ Elegant cotton-linen pants from Claire & Grace Sydney.

They’re made from a cotton-linen blend, with a relaxed leg that lets the air move. The waist is elasticated with a drawstring, so you can loosen it as the day goes on, and there are side pockets for your phone or keys. Wear them long, or roll the hem once for a more casual look with sneakers.

They come in sizes S (8-10) to 3XL (18-20), and the size chart on the product page shows the measurements, so you can check the fit before you choose.

What I like most is how ordinary they make a hot day feel. You pull them on, tie the drawstring, add a tee, and you’re out the door. No fuss. No second-guessing.

A little colour goes a long way

Here’s the other lovely part. Summer is a wonderful time to bring a bit of colour back into your wardrobe.

Many of us slip into a habit of beige, black and navy, because they feel safe. And they are lovely. But there’s a reason “dopamine dressing” keeps coming up in style conversations. Lots of women find that wearing a colour they love simply lifts their mood.

You don’t need to go bold from head to toe. Trousers are one of the easiest places to start. A soft green or a gentle blue with a crisp white tee feels fresh and summery, and still very easy to wear. It’s the same idea trend writers are describing this season: one feature colour, kept simple.

The Ella™ pants come in green and blue, plus beige, white and black for the days you want something calm and classic.

A few honest things to know

Relaxed linen-style pants aren’t perfect for everyone, so here are a few things worth keeping in mind.

• Linen creases. A cotton-linen blend still creases a little, and that’s part of the relaxed look. Hang them up straight after washing, or give them a quick steam for a smoother finish.
• Light colours can be a little sheer. With white or beige, nude underwear is your friend. Green, blue and black are the easy choice if that worries you.
• Length matters with flat shoes. If you’re on the shorter side, a single roll at the hem looks neat and deliberate.
• Worried about the pyjama look? A neat tee or shirt, a structured bag and nice sandals make a pull-on pant look properly put together.

Most of all, wear what feels like you. That’s really the whole point.

Back to that first hot morning

Picture it again. The sun’s already up, the jeans are staying on the shelf, and you’ve got somewhere to be.

You pull on a pair of light pants in a colour you love. A white tee, your sneakers, a straw bag. You catch your reflection on the way out and think: yes, that’s me.

Cool enough for the heat. Nice enough for lunch. And comfortable enough that you forget all about what you’re wearing.

Here’s to a summer where getting dressed is the easy part.

SarahFashion & Style Writer
The Women’s Style Journal

The Women’s Style Journal is published by Claire & Grace Sydney, and the Ella™ pants featured in this article are sold in our store. Weather details refer to the Bureau of Meteorology’s long-range forecast for November 2026 to January 2027. Fabric, fit and sizing details are listed on the product page.