Welcome to the dead of summer. Out of necessity, you have probably been wearing shorts more frequently, and who could blame you? It was not until a few years ago when I started wearing shorts again. I could never find the right pair that fit the way I wanted them to. Plus, giving into shorts felt like giving up somehow. I still gravitate towards pants during the warmer months. I'm not sure what it is, I just love how secure they feel. Plus, they also prevent sunburn.

You might think I'm crazy for wearing pants during the sweltering summer months, but the key is knowing your fabrics. You need the right lightweight options. Linen or a breezy woven cotton will keep you cool, but you want the pants cut in a relaxed or wider silhouette to give them room to breathe so they don't stick to your legs whenever the temps get out of hand.

And one upside to climate change is that plenty of brands are now making these pants. Relaxed-fitting chinos or fatigues will always keep you cool. A nice drawstring pant with an elasticated waist works wonders, especially after one too many beers or hot dogs. Then there is the travel-ready pant that looks more like dress pants (which never require any ironing). To help you pick, we've selected a few of our favorite brands in various fits and price points that will keep you looking and feeling cool through the fall.