Legwear is stressful at this time of year. Can you get away with shorts at the office? Can you get away with shorts at all? And, if the answer is no and you decide to retreat to the psychological comfort of your trustiest trousers, don’t bet on any physical comfort to go with it. Have you ever worn slim black jeans when it’s 30 degrees outside? It’s grim.

So what makes for a good pair summer trousers? It isn’t just a question of comfort (or, err, moisture). The right pair of men’s pants should flatter you whatever the weather and fit, fabric and style all play a part. So we’ve rounded up the best styles of trousers to step into until autumn comes and you can live in denim for another six months.

Wide-Leg Trousers

Arket

If there’s one thing that can be learnt from binge-watching martial arts films, it’s that the guy in the wide-leg trousers always wins. And while we’re not suggesting you go all Crouching Tiger, Hidden Drop Crotch on your wardrobe, there are few better times to become a master of looser shapes than in the height of summer.

Aside from the added aeration (bye bye, skinny jean swamp crotch), generously cut trousers have the benefit of being comfortable and suited to a wide range of body shapes, provided some thought goes into their styling.

To look put-together and thrown-together at the same time, wear capacious kecks with a top tucked or half-tucked in. Wether it’s a T-shirt, Cuban collar shirt or summer knitwear, this small styling hack will add some shape to your waist and stop the whole look from looking like a sack of shiitake.

– Luke Todd, deputy editor

Pleated Trousers

Zara

Pleated trousers returned to popularity a few years ago with the mid-century clothing revival, and are now a permanent fixture with many of the coolest menswear brands, alongside knitted polos and Cuban collar shirts.