I Refuse to Give Up Jeans in the Summer—23 Lightweight Pairs I'm Wearing Until September
Airy, breathable denim does exist—at Madewell and Gap.
I'm someone who wears jeans on a weekly basis, even in the heat of summer. Denim may be the last thing you want to wear in rising temperatures, but I'll always find comfort in my jeans-and-a-cute-top outfit formula. My trick to looking and staying cool in denim in the summer is to rely on lightweight jeans from Madewell and Gap.
The two retailers are among my favorite denim brands, especially in the warm-weather months. That's because they both feature lightweight, breathable denim. Madewell's Airy denim doesn't have a typical jean feel; instead, it's soft to the touch and virtually weightless. Similarly, Gap's UltraSoft jeans are light as air. Whether I need a chic airport outfit or something to throw on with a T-shirt, both lines are staples in my summer wardrobe.
If summer denim sounds like an oxymoron, you just haven't seen the lightweight options at Madewell and Gap. Ahead, shop breezy jeans you'll want to wear from now through September. Each pair rings in at $150 and under, might I add.
This medium wash is great for everyday outfits.
I wear this breezy pair on a weekly basis in the summer.
Casual, yet so chic.
The perfect length to show off a pair of cute summer sandals.
Olive green is a cool-girl summer neutral.
The tie waistline is the coolest detail.
Madewell's barrel jeans are my favorite on the market—they have just the right amount of curve.
This pair is elevated enough to wear to the office.
Who know a mash-up of jeans and track pants could be so chic?
This pair is a breezier take on the celeb-favorite cigarette jeans trend.
Summer always calls for white jeans.
A baggy silhouette keeps things even more breezy.
I'd wear these just as much as my favorite linen pants.
You haven't seen the last of barrel jeans yet in 2026.
The buckle on the back of these jeans is a cool detail, but it also ensure the perfect fit.
Stripes just feel right in the summer.
Low-rise jeans will instantly make you feel like an It girl.
I'd pair these jeans with flip-flops and a double-layer T-shirt for an easy on-trend look.
I don't have anything like this in my denim collection.
Cuffed jeans are a major 2026 denim trend.
These have a '90s feel that I adore.
I bet these jeans would pair nicely with a pair of toe-ring sandals.
A dark wash is the way to go if you want elevated outfits.
