This is the second time I’ve bought these trousers, because I love them so much, and I missed them the moment they had to go in the wash. But this is a problem of the past, because now I have TWO!
I chose the black linen, sized up one size (S-M instead of XS) because I wanted a little extra comfort and flowiness, and they fit exactly as I’d hoped and look even better. I am rather short (ca 162cm), and they hit me about 5 cm above my ankle in the regular length, and they are gorgeously floor-length with 15 cm added (I will shorten them a little for practicality, but I did very much enjoy feeling like Morticia Addams in trousers when trying them on).
First, the only downside: After wearing them constantly for almost a year, the waistband over the elastic has rubbed off significantly on the inside, and there is a small hole in the crotch area. However, I think this can easily be mended by reinforcing the waistband with some new fabric and, well, mending the hole. Given how much I wore them, I don't think this is unreasonable wear and tear for linen. Also, the pockets (equally much used) are showing no sign of wear so far, so it’s really only the part that rubs against other fabric constantly, it’s not an issue of the sewing or construction.
Maybe a way to increase the life span could be to use the heavy linen fabric for the waistband, or to use two layers of thin linen on the inside of it, and maybe reinforce the crotch in a similar way (but that might make the fabric fall weirdly – you’d have to try it out). But a way of preventing it fully would probably require either completely different fabric, or a different closure, which would significantly alter the trousers in general, so I can see that it’s not a problem that can easily be eliminated entirely.
Now, the upsides. These are the perfect summer trousers. They let through every summer breeze without feeling flimsy. They’re heavy enough to not float upwards but light enough to move with the wind. They allow complete freedom of movement, and they make me want to dance constantly, because they flow with every movement. I can’t describe it without getting a little weird, but when I dance around the house, they inspire my movement rather than just follow it. I dance with them, not in them.
They have all the benefits of a summer skirt, but not the downside of making me feel like I have to hold everything down when it gets windy if I don’t want everyone to see my underwear.
They look SO elegant, whilst feeling more comfortable than every pair of jogging bottoms I have ever had. They are my go-to trousers for when I am on my period and bloated and sensitive, and they make me feel beautiful even then. When I sit on the floor, they pool around me like my own tiny wearable void of darkness. The amount of fabric is exactly right – enough to not show any underwear lines (or colours) or sweat stains, even in the height of summer, but not so much fabric that it feels too heavy or bulky. The legs are wide enough that, should they ever be too swishy to be practical, you can tie a knot in the hem, and tadaa, they’re knickerbockers.
Because they are so wide, they also work even in the coldest winter times, because you can wear three pairs of tights underneath and nobody would know. Or really big leg warmers, which I can recommend. The flowiness absorbs all.
The pockets are big enough to fit a small book, and STURDY! Nothing has ripped so far, and when I say I have been using them a lot, I mean it. Phone, keys, calendar, headphones, gloves, wallet – they have carried many a thing. The only issue that arises is that they get dragged down a little when the pockets are full, but that’s on me (and gravity) because I chose the looser waistband.
I also really like the amount of coverage they offer. Not just in ‘only my ankle skin is visible’ but also concealing the exact outlines of my lower body whilst still being thin and flowy enough to work for 40°C summers, and not being see-through. I enjoy knowing that when I am wearing these trousers, if I walk upstairs in public, the stranger behind me will not become intimately familiar with the jiggle of my butt. (But I am absolutely not saying that everyone should cover up like me! Everyone should have the amount of coverage they want, whether that’s none or all of it! I, personally, just like this particular amount for me.)
The colour is a tiny bit washed out after almost one year of constant use, but it’s still very much black and the difference is only noticeable when viewed right next to the pair I just bought new.
For me personally, I think they could be improved a little bit by adding back pockets like the Frankie Trousers have, and belt loops. I’ll sew some belt loops onto mine at some point, but it’s really more a nice-to-have thing than a necessity, and the pocket space is enough with just two pockets 99% of the time, so that’s also an optional improvement at most.
Overall, excellent, lovely, great quality, makes summer wardrobe not only bearable but beautiful. I love black linen so much.
