Linen-look pants that are not linen: what polyester gives you instead, and the claim to doubt

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Researched. We have not used this one long enough to give you a verdict, and we would rather say so than invent one. What follows is how it works, who it suits, and what it will not do. When we have used it properly, this page carries the verdict and the date.

Sampeel Flowy Wide Leg Palazzo Pants

A lot of summer trousers are sold with "linen" somewhere in the title and very little linen in the fabric. This listing does something unusual: it says plainly, in capitals, "100% Polyester (NOT Linen)". That honesty deserves credit, and it makes it easy to be clear about what you are getting.

What polyester gives you instead of linen

No wrinkles to speak of. Linen creases the moment you sit down; that is part of its charm and all of its inconvenience. Polyester mostly does not.

Some stretch. The listing says the fabric is soft and lightweight with stretch. Linen has almost none, which is why linen trousers bag at the knees and seat.

Easy care. Polyester washes and dries quickly and holds its colour well.

The look. A slubby, textured weave can look very like linen from a step away, which is the point.

The claim to doubt

The listing also says the fabric is more breathable than linen. That is hard to believe. Linen is one of the most breathable fabrics there is — it absorbs moisture and lets it evaporate, which is why it has been worn in hot climates for thousands of years. Polyester does not absorb sweat in the same way. A light, open weave helps, but on a truly hot, humid day, real linen will feel cooler.

The fit

The listing describes a flowy wide leg with a drawstring and elastic waist, a mid rise and pockets. A drawstring over elastic is a good combination: comfortable, and adjustable, so you can pull it in rather than rely on the elastic alone. Mid rise sits a little lower than the high-waisted palazzos we also looked at from Angerella.

Out of the packet

The listing warns that vacuum packing can leave the trousers creased on arrival, and that washing or ironing will sort it out. A cool iron or a steam in the bathroom is all they should need; with polyester, keep the iron low — high heat can mark or melt synthetic fibres.

Who they suit

Travel, holidays and warm-weather weekends, especially for anyone who likes the look of linen but not the ironing. For the hottest days, or for someone who runs hot, real linen is still the better fabric.

What they will not do

They will not breathe like linen, whatever the listing says. They will not look sharp or tailored. And they will not survive a hot iron.

The product

Flowy, linen-look wide-leg pants in a soft, stretchy polyester, with a drawstring waist and pockets — honest about not being linen, and easier to live with because of it.

The one people are searching for is the Sampeel Wide Leg Pants for Women, Flowy Palazzo with Drawstring.

Sampeel Flowy Wide Leg Palazzo Pants

We do not print prices here, because a price we typed last month is a price that is wrong today.

Written by JamieG in Garner Town, Tennessee.