Why You Should
Zimmermann Natura Relaxed Silk Trouser Review 2026
Introduction
Zimmermann's printed silk trousers have become the clearest shorthand for a certain kind of American summer: the resort vacation that requires effort but cannot look effortful, the wedding weekend where you need something that reads dressed-up in the morning and still works at dinner. The Natura Relaxed Silk Trouser fits that specific brief better than almost anything else at its price point, which is why it sells out on Nordstrom faster than store replenishment can keep pace.
The elevated vacation wear category at the $400–$600 mark is crowded with contenders. Ulla Johnson makes beautiful printed pants. Farm Rio offers the same tropical-print energy for under $200. What Zimmermann consistently delivers that most competitors do not is the combination of a serious fabrication, print exclusivity, and a silhouette that photographs well from every angle. These trousers are designed for the kind of trip you document, which is either an appeal or a red flag depending on who you are.
The women most likely to get genuine value here travel at least twice a year to warm climates, dress for resort dinners rather than just the beach, and already own at least one Zimmermann piece. If this would be your first luxury fashion purchase, there are less expensive ways to test the brand's aesthetic before committing at this price.
Price
The Natura Relaxed Silk Trouser retails for $495. At that price, you are buying into 100% silk charmeuse, a tailored wide-leg cut, and a signature Zimmermann print produced in limited seasonal quantities. The price is justified, but only for buyers who will actually wear them in the contexts the trousers are built for.
The closest honest comparison is the Ulla Johnson Perla Wide-Leg Trouser, which retails around $395 in silk blends and delivers comparable drape and print quality. If the Zimmermann print of the season does not speak to you, the Ulla Johnson is the smarter spend. At the other end, Farm Rio's printed wide-leg pants retail at $168–$198 in viscose and look the part in photographs but do not wear the same way in sustained heat. The Zimmermann is not $300 better than the Farm Rio in objective terms, but it is meaningfully better for buyers who will wear silk in serious humidity and expect the fabric to recover.
Nordstrom's free returns policy is the reason to buy here rather than directly from Zimmermann's site. On a $495 silk piece with an Australian sizing system, the ability to return without paying for return shipping removes the primary risk of buying online.
Materials and Construction
The Natura trouser is cut from 100% silk charmeuse in a lightweight woven construction. Charmeuse is a satin-weave silk with a smooth, reflective face and a duller reverse; it drapes with more fluidity than a crepe-weave silk and moves more visibly in warm air. The fabric weight sits at the lighter end of the charmeuse spectrum, which helps in tropical heat but means the fabric is less forgiving of rough handling.
Zimmermann's print application on the Natura is done at the fabric level, not surface-printed after construction, which is why the vibrancy holds across washes. Verified purchasers confirm that print colors retain their saturation after multiple wash cycles on prints with the machine-washable treatment. On dry-clean-only colorways, the brand's care instruction is not conservative caution but a genuine fabric protection requirement; the dyes used in certain colorways are less wash-stable.
The elasticated waistband is covered in matching silk rather than exposed elastic, which keeps the finish consistent with the rest of the trouser. The seam finishing inside is clean; the waistband casing is double-stitched, and the side seams hold alignment after washing without twisting. No hardware or closures to assess. The hem is left with a narrow blind stitch, which is appropriate for the weight and does not add bulk.
Comfort
Out of the box, these trousers require no break-in period. Silk charmeuse is immediately soft against the skin, and the relaxed cut removes any restriction across the hip and thigh. Owners consistently report comfort across long travel days, outdoor events, and resort dinners, with the elasticated waist cited as the specific feature that makes all-day wear viable.
The single documented comfort failure is sweat visibility. In sustained high humidity above 85°F, the silk will show moisture marks in the upper thigh and lower back if worn without a thin liner underneath. This is a physics problem, not a construction defect: charmeuse's smooth face does not obscure moisture the way a matte crepe would. Buyers who live in or travel to genuinely tropical climates should plan to wear a thin slip or Commando shorts underneath. For Mediterranean-style dry heat, the problem does not arise.
The hem length runs long, which works well for a 5'7"+ frame. For shorter women, the extra length creates drag at the floor, which is both a visual proportion issue and a practical wear problem. Multiple reviewers note having the trousers hemmed by a local tailor before first wear; factor in $20–$40 for that alteration if you are under 5'6".
Fit and Sizing
Zimmermann runs in Australian sizing. Size up one full size from your standard US size: a US 4 corresponds to Zimmermann 0, US 6 to size 1, US 8 to size 2, US 10 to size 3, US 12 to size 4. Buyers who skip this conversion and order their usual US size consistently receive trousers that are too small through the waist and hip.
If you fall between US sizes, take the larger Zimmermann size. The elasticated waist accommodates a half-size range comfortably without bunching or pulling. Buyers between a US 6 and 8, for example, report that Zimmermann size 1 wears cleanly because the elastic adjusts without distorting the fabric at the waistband.
The relaxed wide-leg cut fits true across the hip and thigh once you have the right size; there is no taper from knee to hem. Women with a high hip-to-waist ratio will find the elastic waist more flattering than a structured waistband would be. The cut is not designed to be body-skimming, and buyers expecting a tailored trouser silhouette will be disappointed; this is a fluid, slightly oversized leg that falls straight from the hip.
The range cuts off at a US 12 in most prints. Buyers who wear a US 14 or above have no option here, which is a consistent complaint across Zimmermann's silk trouser offering, not specific to the Natura.
How to Style It
Resort Dinner, Coastal Summer. Pair the Natura trouser with a fitted ivory silk camisole tucked in at the front, a single gold chain necklace, and tan leather heeled mules. Carry a small woven rattan clutch. The trouser's print carries the outfit; the top does not need to compete with it. This works for outdoor restaurant dinners, hotel terraces, and upscale beach club events.
Day-to-Evening Transition, Summer Wedding Guest. Wear the trouser with a fitted white linen button-down shirt left untucked but knotted at the waist, low-heeled block sandals in bone or cognac, and a structured straw bag. Change to a fitted silk halter top and strappy heeled sandals for the reception. The trouser's wide leg reads formal enough for a summer ceremony and relaxed enough for the outdoor cocktail hour.
High-Summer Travel Day. Style with a fine-knit ribbed white tank tucked in, flat leather slides, a structured linen tote, and a thin gold bracelet. The elastic waist and fluid leg make this practical on a long-haul flight or train journey while arriving looking intentional rather than just comfortable. Skip layering a linen shirt over the top; the print needs clean negative space to read properly.
Alternatives
Ulla Johnson Perla Wide-Leg Pant, approx. $395. Cut in a silk-blend charmeuse with comparable drape, slightly more muted botanical prints, and a structured waistband option. The better choice for buyers who want a more tailored waist finish or find Zimmermann's prints too bold.
Farm Rio Multicolor Tapestry Wide-Leg Pant, approx. $178–$198. Woven viscose rather than silk, which is cooler-looking but hotter to wear in actual tropical heat, and the fabric does not recover from moisture the way charmeuse does. The right choice for buyers who want the printed wide-leg aesthetic for occasional summer events without the $495 commitment.
Vince Silk Wide-Leg Trouser, approx. $325–$375. Cut in 100% silk habotai or charmeuse in solid seasonal colors rather than prints. The better option for buyers who want the fabrication quality and the versatile silhouette but prefer a trouser they can style across more contexts without the print driving every outfit decision.
Pros
Cons
Current Price
$495.00
Available at Nordstrom.com
Buy It Now →Price verified as of July 3, 2026. WYS may earn a commission on purchases.
The WYS Verdict
The Zimmermann Natura Relaxed Silk Trouser is the most complete option in US retail for printed silk wide-leg trousers at the luxury resort price point, with genuine construction quality and print execution that justify the spend for buyers who travel to warm climates at least once or twice a season. At $495, it outperforms viscose and silk-blend competitors in humid heat, holds its print across washes on eligible colorways, and wears comfortably across a full day without a structured waistband. The size range cutoff at US 12, the sweat-visibility limitation in extreme humidity, and the Australian sizing friction are real drawbacks that will matter to specific buyers; for those it fits, it is a considered purchase rather than an impulse one.
Score: 8.2 out of 10
Buy it if you travel to warm climates, wear a US 4–12, and want a silk trouser that works across resort, wedding, and travel contexts. Wait for a sale only if the current season's prints do not move you; if a print does, do not wait.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Zimmermann Natura Relaxed Silk Trouser worth $495?
For buyers who travel to warm climates and dress for resort occasions, yes. The 100% silk charmeuse construction outperforms cheaper fabrications in sustained heat and the print quality holds after washing, which earns the price over repeated wear. The trouser scores 8.2 out of 10 on the strength of its fabrication and versatility.
How should I size the Natura Trouser if I am a US buyer?
Size up one full size from your standard US size: a US 6 orders Zimmermann size 1, a US 8 orders size 2. If you fall between US sizes, take the larger Zimmermann size; the elasticated waistband accommodates a half-size range without distorting the fit through the hip.
Will the silk show sweat or require dry cleaning?
On colorways with the machine-washable treatment, the print retains its vibrancy across multiple washes and care is straightforward. On dry-clean-only colorways, plan for $15–$25 per clean in upkeep costs. In sustained humidity above 85°F, the charmeuse face will show moisture marks without a thin liner underneath; this is a fabric characteristic, not a defect.
What is the best alternative if Zimmermann does not work for me?
The Ulla Johnson Perla Wide-Leg Pant at approximately $395 is the closest alternative for buyers who want comparable silk-blend drape with a more tailored waistband and less graphic print direction. Choose it over the Zimmermann if the current Natura print does not appeal or if you want a trouser that anchors more neutral outfits.