Nothing beckons spring like…linen. Yes, linen, the fabric of warmer temperatures. There is no challenge I like more than finding the perfect linen pants and I am batting 1000% (Ooo, sportsball metaphor) with Athleta’s Cabo Linen Wide Leg Pants.
Not only are they lovely linen, but they also have a lot of the same qualities many of us loved about The Stupid Pants (copyright pending, jk): They’re high-waisted, drawstring, comfy and most importantly, THEY HAVE POCKETS.
What To Wear With Athleta’s Cabo Linen Wide Leg Pants
Not to besmirch the beloved Stupid Pants, but Athleta’s Cabo Linen Wide Leg Pants do have two things over them: these linen pants are travel-friendly (both fabric and lack of bulk,) and there are so many ways to style them. From bathing suit cover-up to date night, these pants are ready to go places.
Fit: First, let’s talk fit. I am typically a size 10. I purchased an 8 and a 10 and ultimately kept the 8. I found the length better on my 5’7 body for flats — which, let’s be honest, is mostly how I’ll mostly wear them. The size 10 just felt a smidge too big. So, you might want to consider sizing down in these pants.
Ok, buckle up, here are the 12 ways I came up with to style these linen pants.
1| Black Linen Pants + A Graphic Tee
Pants | Graphic Tee | Sneakers
Few things I love more than a graphic tee moment, and Target has a great selection of affordable tees, including this MTV Graphic Tee from their Men’s section. I primarily wore graphic tees last summer after having my 3rd bebe. Tuck ’em into the Cabo Linen Pants with a pair of Madewell Kickoff Trainer Sneakers for the quintessential casual spring look.
Fit: I’ll mention one more time here that the pants are an 8. The graphic tee is actually a men’s Medium, and I prefer the fit to my normal women’s graphic tees! Some reviews for the Madewell Kickoff Trainers suggested you go up a 1/2 size, but I find them TTS (wearing an 8).
2| Black Linen Pants + A Statement Top
Pants | Top | Wedges (similar 1, similar 2)
In other words, “A Nice Short-Sleeve Shirt with a lil Sumthin’ Sumthin”. CeCe’s Puff Sleeve Crepe Top adds a delightful pop of pink to this outfit — plus those eye-catching sleeves! I threw on my black wedges with a corked sole (years old) to complete the look.
Fit: The CeCe Puff Sleeve Crepe Top is TTS (I’m wearing a Large).
3| Black Linen Pants + A Faux Leather Jacket
Pants | Top | Jacket | Wedges (similar 1, similar 2)
Keep the feminine pink CeCe top, but make it rock with this faux leather moto jacket. It adds an edge while the pink breaks up all that black. I kept on the wedges, but a fun animal print sandal like these flatforms or these wedges would also work.
Fit: I’m wearing a 10 in the faux leather moto jacket, but probably could have afforded to go up to a 12 to account for my shoulders. Consider going up a size.
4|Black Linen Pants + Bodysuit, Baby!
I’m typically not a bodysuit gal, but this Long-Sleeve Ruffle Chiffon Bodysuit (on clearance!) from A&F is perfection. I probably like it because it looks more like a blouse, less like a bodysuit. It’s lightweight for spring, plus has a front closure to allow for more flexibility. And with three kids, I need some flexibility. The Madewell Paperclip Chain Necklace adds some pizazz — and honestly any excuse I have to wear this necklace, I will. I love it.
Fit: The bodysuit is TTS (I’m wearing a large).
5|Black Linen Pants + Workout Top
Real talk: I wear this Alo Cover Tank for regular outfits more than I do to workout. It’s just so versatile, showing just enough skin for this lady. It also comes in more colors including a gorgeous “Parisian Pink” if the black on black isn’t for you.
Fit: The Alo Cover Tank is TTS (I’m wearing a Large).
6| Black Linen Pants + Spring Blouse
I love mint ice-cream and mint colored tops. This V-Neck Blouse from Abercrombie in Mint Dot screams “throw me my best flower crown, we’re going to a festival!” The blouse is cropped, which works nicely with these high-waisted pants. I decided to wear my Chelsea Crew Date Night Platform Heels from Modcloth to complete the ’70s vibe.
Fit: This fits TTS (I’m wearing a Large). If you’re between sizes consider sizing up. The Chelsea Crew Date Night Platform Heels are TTS (I’m wearing an 8).
7|Black Linen Pants + Tank Top
This Lace Cami is one of those fab under $14 finds Lisa — a TMEI regular — recommended. One day I will snag a Zadig and Voltaire Christy Blouse (I’m watching those sales for a large like a hawk), but for now this tank does the trick. The cami is a racerback so it works perfectly with a bralette (you know my rule, wireless bra of some sort or I will not keep the garment). It also comes in a ton of colors and sizes.
Fit: This tank top is TTS (I’m wearing a Large).
8| Black Linen Pants + Tank Top & Jacket
Pants | Tank Top | Duster (similar 1, similar 2)
For cooler evenings, I like to throw a jacket over my tanks! It’s is a great way to add color, patterns, or both to the Cabo Linen Pants and black tank top. This is an old Billabong duster that I cannot find anywhere, but I found two similar options that mimic the style and pattern.
Fit: I would recommend choosing your regular size or sizing up when purchasing a duster for a slouchier look.
9| Black Linen Pants + All black
Pants | Shirt | Necklace | Earrings (same print) | Wedges (similar 1, similar 2)
There’s something about putting on my Madewell Central Drapey Shirt and these linen pants — all black — which brings me back to high school theatre. All the tech kids took pride in their all black outfits, eyes rolling at the thespians missing their cues, not finding their light, etc., (Was I a tech kid or an actor? You decide). To break things up I added my Madewell Paperclip Chain Necklace and BR Design Co.’s English Garden earrings (same print) that were made to stand out.
Fit: The Madewell Central Drapey Shirt is TTS (I’m wearing a Large).
10| Black Linen Pants + Spring Sweatshirt!
Pants | Sweatshirt | Sandals
I love the Madewell MWL Airyterry Hoodie Sweatshirt because it’s soft and lightweight. My husband loves it because I’ve stopped stealing his hoodies in the morning. Seriously, I wear this sweatshirt so much that I’m considering another color. It’s that good. I decided on my Arizona Birkenstock Waterproof Slides in lilac for a pop of color. This is totally a wake-up, throw-on, hang-outside-on-the-front yard-in-the-Adirondack-chairs-with-a-cup-of-coffee-with-my family-up-on-the-Cape look.
Fit: The Madewell MWL Airyterry Hoodie Sweatshirt is TTS (I’m wearing a Large). It’s just slouchy enough to wear a light tee underneath it. The Birkenstock’s are TTS (I’m wearing an 39/8).
11| Black Linen Pants + Button-down & Statement Necklace
Pants | Top | Statement Necklace (similar) | Wedges (similar 1, similar 2)
I adore the full button-up with a statement necklace aesthetic, but have shied away from trying it. I’m glad I did because this Madewell Chambray Button-Down shirt, tucked into the Cabo Linen Pants, paired with a statement necklace (similar) is a rad look. Seriously there is never a bad time for a Chambray Button-Down. It’s a wardrobe staple IMO.
Fit: Chambray shirt is TTS (I’m wearing a Large).
12|Black Linen Pants + Swimsuit Cover-up!
Pants | Swimsuit (same style, different pattern) | Sandals
Truthfully I threw this on only because I like even numbers and didn’t want to end on 11 outfit ideas, but I actually really like it! I rarely buy traditional cover-ups for swimsuits, so using the linen pants as a cover up for my BLEU Jungle Book Knotted One-Piece Swimsuit (same style, different pattern) is ideal. The low v is hot (I feel like I sound like Paris Hilton, but it’s true! — that’s hot).
Fit: The BLEU Jungle Book Knotted One-Piece Swimsuit runs small. I sized up to a 12 (typically I’m a 10).
Athleta’s Cabo linen pants are so versatile and a practical addition to any spring/summer wardrobe. How will you style them?
x, Meredith
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Thanks for the shout out girl!! 😘 You look adorable in all these lewks!!
Have to give credit where credit’s due! 🙂
Would love to see some more options with tops that don’t need to be tucked or have a belly showing…
You look AMAZING in all these outfits! I had the Cabo pants in a gray and ended up reselling them b/c they just didn’t do it for me (and as with most linen, I found they got super wrinkly) but man, these ideas are making me kick myself a little bit. Way to maximize a wardrobe workhorse!
Thank you! I find the black hides wrinkles a bit better. Haven’t tried lighter colors. You could always give them another shot, but ya gotta do what works for you! Maybe a linen/blend bottom would work!
Enjoying your content, keep it up! I got these in the chambray, but loving the black. Hmmmm
Thank you! Not to be an instigator but all Athleta bottoms are currently 20%. Also, funny because I’m considering buying the chambray now! lol
How fun you’ve made these pants look! I saw the other ones too, on the website, that look like they button and zip. I’m trying both, thanks to you!
Thank you Shelly! So the ones I have are a drawstring, pull on type, which I love for summer. Athleta has so many different styles of pants and I think today is the last day to get 20% off all bottoms!
Hi Meredith! I had LOFT pants a decade ago I LOVED when they were out of the dryer, but they stretched SO much that the bum was awful and they looked sloppy by the end of the day. I know some of that is linen – but how are these for holding shape after a day or two of wear? So cute. Want.
Been there. Hate when that happens! I wore these all day last week and didn’t find that there was sagging in the bum. I’m actually pretty impressed by how well they hold their shape. Not sure what the secret is.
Okay, I added them to my cart… going to try the blue instead of the black. Who cares about wrinkles… I mean, we all know linen wrinkles, so I say let’s run with it. The 8 fits me well, too — I’m your height and size, but with tinier upper body and bigger booty/thighs… 8s are where it’s at! Thanks for all the styling ideas!
Speak on it! I agree I’m not bothered by wrinkles. Hope the 8 works! Let me know what you think of them 🙂