I'm an Editor With Expensive Taste—These Affordable M&S Linen Trousers Are My Summer-Wardrobe Staple

The key to a well-edited wardrobe? This expensive-looking high-street staple.

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M&S is my go-to high street store for many things, including but not limited to comfortable but pretty underwear, expensive-looking shoes, affordable cashmere and, believe it or not, jeans too. I’ve long been a fan of how M&S refuses to play into passing trends and focuses instead on producing really good quality, affordable staples-the kind you actually end up wearing for years until they’re threadbare. But two summers ago, I discovered M&S’s linen trousers for a Who What Wear try-on.

Emily Dawes in the M&S Linen Rich Drawstring Wide Leg Trousers, £28.

Who What Wear UK contributing shopping editor, Emily Dawes, in the M&S Linen Rich Drawstring Wide Leg Trousers £28.

(Image credit: @emilyjdawes)

In fact, the whole of M&S’s linen collection is worth raving about—from the classic shirts to the elevated summer tailoring. I ended up keeping a lot of the pieces I tried on "for work” (it’s an occupational hazard), and with the warm summer days upon us, I’ve found myself living in my M&S linen trousers especially. And it's not just me that's a fan—influencers including Who What Wear UK Editor in Residence Monikh have been showing off how they style their M&S linen trousers on Instagram recently.

Emily Dawes in cream M&S linen trousers.

M&S Pure Linen Wide Leg Trousers, £46.

(Image credit: @emilyjdawes)

Whether you’re after a more polished, tailored pair to look chic at work or summer events, or a casual drawstring style to throw on for weekend errands and beach holidays, M&S has a number of perfect pairs. As a 5’2” petite woman, I’m also a huge fan of the fact that a lot of their linen trousers come in different length options, meaning I don’t have to take a trip to my local tailor before I can start wearing them.

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The best thing about linen is that you can find great pieces at affordable prices (M&S linen trousers start at £28), but it’s generally a fabric that can make any outfit look so classy and put-together in warmer weather—something I (and I know a lot of us) struggle with once the balmy days of summer hit, especially in the city.

Emily Dawes wears M&S striped linen trousers with a white linen top.

M&S Linen Rich Drawstring Wide Leg Trousers £28.

(Image credit: @emilyjdawes)

Keep scrolling to shop M&S’s best linen trousers—your summer wardrobe will thank you later.

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Emily Dawes
Emily Dawes
Senior Shopping Editor

Emily Dawes is an editor, stylist and writer with over 12 years in the industry. Known for impeccable taste, our readers trust her advice, especially in her column, expensive-looking high street buys. Working for Who What Wear UK since 2020, Emily has been a contributing editor, branded content editor and affiliate editor. Now, as senior shopping editor, she leads the e-commerce content strategy. After obtaining a BA in English and American Studies from Nottingham University, Emily landed at The Mail on Sunday’s YOU. As the magazine’s fashion editor, she travelled the globe to style and direct fashion editorials and celebrity cover shoots. As a freelancer, she has styled Grazia cover shoots, developed brand marketing and content plans and worked with VIP clients including Elizabeth Day.