Classic White Denim Jeans
If you’ve been reading along this week, you will not be surprised to see that classic white denim jeans are next on my list of modern denim basics for spring and summer. We’ve talked about the direction denim shapes are moving for spring/summer 2021,Ā but the one thing that is staying constant is the color white. A great pair of white jeans, no matter their shape, is a useful addition to most women’s summer wardrobe.
No matter what happens with the shape of denim, if you are a lover of skinny jeans, I say go for it. Adding a tiny bit of trend helps to keep us looking modern but that doesn’t mean we should wear things we don’t like.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when looking for your perfect white denim jeans:
- rear pocket placement matters. Some brands have long rear pockets that continue onto the top of your thigh. This tends to make your butt look droopy. Chose smaller back pockets that are placed high and aren’t too long.
- opaque is the name of the game in any white pants including white jeans. Even if you’re wearing undies in your shade of nude, there are other considerations, mainly whether you can see the pocket linings through your jeans. These create distracting lines you just don’t need. I have been known to sew my jean pockets closed and cut off the inner pocket lining for a cleaner look.
Since white denim jeans aren’t as forgiving as darker colors, I suggest you avoid overly tight-fitting ones which can have that sausage casing look.
White jeans look terrific with other pale colors, head to toe white, and with contrasting dark colors. They are an all-around neutral that’s easy to pair with most things. I am a big fan of denim on denim and white denim with chambray which has a soft look.
Wider or fuller legs are a better proportion for higher heels and wedges. Skinny and slim-leg jeans look best with flats or low heels. Balloon leg jeans are popping up sporadically this season, with just a few companies making them. These are wider through the thighs and knees then tapper in at the ankle.
MORE WHITE DENIM JEANS
Have you found that perfect pair of white denim jeans?
Please share the brand with us.
Thanks for reading ladies and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.
I love Talbots jeggings. Not only because, as a petite, I can get them in a shorter length, but I find that while they’re skinny, they’re not too tight and not too loose. As Goldilocks would say, “They’re just right.” I have them in an embarrassing array of colors and washes as well, including white. I have a pair of their slim ankles in white, which I roll up like boyfriend crops. I am looking at trying a pair of their white wide leg crops, but I’m waiting for them to go on sale, while also looking for a pair of platform espadrille wedges to pair them with.
I love Talbots white jeans. I have quite a few pairs since that’s what I live in from spring through summer. I have the cropped and the slim ankle high rise. Thanks for your tips.
My favorite pair are white NYDJ. They say to size down in this brand but since they are white I stayed with my normal size especially since they are white. They are skinny jeans but fit more like a very slim straight leg. At 5ā2ā I donāt know if I will ever get on board with the wide leg pants unless they are a flowy beach pant. I also have a cute pair of white Chaps jeans from Kohlās that are at least 8 years old. They are a slight boot cut. Love your posts!
Love my white jeans from Chicoās and my Capris by Chaps. Both fit well with no see through problems. (Do hate that look š)
Do love the Chambray shirt. As a matter of fact, I have a lt. blue one in my closet that will make an outfit just like yours.
Canāt wait to wear it somewhere.
Thanks š for a great blog.
Love the white jeans with the white t and chambray shirt. Jen, we will be taking our first vacation in a quite a while in mid-September–to Napa! Should I plan on still wearing summery clothes at that time? Since you are in CA and wear similar styles to me, thought you would be a good one to ask!
Do like your look today Jennifer and your jeans appear to be a superb fit! Excellent tips BTW as well. That said, I currently only two pairs of ‘white’jeans one in a skinny high rise fit and the other styled as a capri. Though the former was dirt cheap and definitely NOT a high end brand ; they are actually the favourite out of all the ones I own both in comfort ‘n fit, as well as maintenance as wash up so well and hold their shape beautifully. Plus they are opaque. To conclude and like yourself; I often sew pockets closed and (with pinking shears) even remove its inner section for a smoother fit. Also if a waistline is elastic but comes with a tie, I usually cut the latter off which eliminates bulk through that area. (If it is a fabric tie I might recycle it and create belt loops for option of a belt or add it as a piping trim to an otherwise DIY plain face mask.) -Brenda-
Footnote: Our stores are not open yet and am hoping when they do that their dressing rooms will be as well, as am anxious to try the Balloon style jeans, provided I can find them in a reasonable leg length. Nothing like going from one extreme to the other …. lol!
You look fantastic! Definitely one of my favorite summertime styles. I prefer the ankle length because I think it’s slimming, but capris are summery. My go-to white denim jeans are made by Bandolino (Nine West), which is out of business now. They’re about 6 years old and starting to look dingy. Stretch fabrics don’t seem to last as long, so I look for denim with no elastane. I wanted to like the NYDJ (Not Your Daughter’s Jeans) but after wearing them for a few hours, I’m tugging to pull them up. I have luck shopping at Marshall’s and TJMaxx because they carry so many brands, but like others have mentioned, without open dressing rooms it’s inconvenient. Macy’s carries the Charter Club brand (for us 60+ women) that seem to fit my waistline and are reasonably priced.
Thank you for another wonderful series. I read, or heard you say that the hardest thing for you to do is to purchase styles that fit your lifestyle. I love reading different blogs and seeing what is available and how other people put it all together, but when I read your blog it is not only beautifully styled clothing, it is how I need to dress. Thank you again for all your hard work. I am ordering the chambray shirt right now!
I seem to gravitate to Talbots for pants and some jeans too- I wear my Talbots straight leg white jeans, and their cropped jegging….a shorter version but cute and casual. They launder well, and fit my body! Yay!
I also have a pair I bought pre- pandemic at Kohls…brand? They’re very nice too, but never got to wear them last summer. I will this year!
I recently bought a pair of J. Crew vintage straight leg jeans in white. They fit true to size and are a good weight. I shortened them a little but only because I like a slightly shorter Jean.
Jen,
Thanks for the series about white denim, especially the jeans problems.
I really appreciate your candour with kindness style when you highlight fashion mistakes.
I am happy with jeans from Chicoās. I order one size up and have them altered if necessary. As you mentioned if a little snug it has a sausage look.
Back in my thirties, I found Levi stretch jeans, straight leg in a dark blue. Loved them wore them, still have two pair, but as I got older I found that nothing I tried on in the stores fit right. I took a chance and tried Diane Gilman stretch jeans from HSN. I am so in love with this brand. She really understands older women and what works on our figures. I have three pair of her white jeans, slim, straight leg and bell bottoms. They look great on, wash beautifully and wear easily.
White jeans are my go to when I want to dress casually, yet still look out together.
Talbots slim ankle jeans in petite fit my 5ā 3ā Size 10-12 apple shape well. The rise is just high enough. I have five pair and counting: new white, black, and light wash denim versions bought recently and pale pink and light gray from previous years.
My quest for a pair on white jeans is still ongoing.
Finding a summer weight fabric that is still opaque is one challenge. I also feel I may need to size up to get the fit that a white jean might benefit from. Then there is the challenge that if the store is still open, the dressing rooms are still closed.
High waist, slim fit through upper hip, straight leg, am I asking too much? Lol
I loved this white denim series! Keeps me thinking….
This is a favorite look for me. I found a chambray shirt in that wonderful faded pink and I wear my pink sandals. I love my blues too though. I have to wear menās jeans to get a good fit for waist and hips. Womenās jeans are always too big in hips if they fit my waist. Sometimes womenās stretch will work. You look so fresh and summery.
I have the same problem Eve and checking the men’s jeans never occurred to me – thanks for a great idea!!
I love my pair of Joseph Ribkoff white stretch jeans! I wish I had two pair.
Though almost impossible to find where I live (MN), Tribal jeans fit and wear well. Size 4 fit when another brand’s 6 also fit. Same with JJill and Talbot’s. I think those manufacturer model must be closer to my shape: short, petite but my truss is the largest part of me
I own 3 pairs of white jeans; one pair is the skinny ankle from Talbots and the other two are the Gloria Vanderbilt brand from Costco. In the GV I bought an 8 short for a looser fit and a 6 short for a more fitted look. For $14.99/pair theyāre a bargain.
I LOVE my GV jeans, and I was always so glad to find 6 short at Costco. Alas, if my store carries them at all now, they start at 8.
My favorite white jeans are Talbots Slim ankle jeans. I am also a fan of Chico’s Girlfriend jeans. Both these brands are totally opaque. The Talbots jeans are a more skinny look, and the Chicos have a bit more ease in the leg, but are still slim looking.
I have 4 pair of the Talbots slim legs and love the fit. Iām surprised I donāt have a white pair
I have Leviās 512 bootcut, ten years old, and still going, Iām pear shaped. When itās hot I seem to wear skirts and dresses more, I guess they feel cooler.
I have not tried Leviās for years but I but I should. Theyāre the originals.
I have two pairs of white jeans right now, one skinny pair and one straight leg. They are from Nordstrom and I wear them all summer long. I will not buy see through white pants and I agree pocket placement is very important. Love the chambray shirt!
I also love Chico’s white jeans. In fact all of their pants fit me so well and last a long time.
Chicoās girlfriend jeans fit me just right and I love your look today. That outfit works all summer long
Theyāre one of my favorite fits too
I find Jen 7 jeans to fit very well. Theyāre well made and the cut is different from other brands in that they minimize the stomach area. I hav3 them in bell bottoms, skinnies, straight legs and in many colors.
Good to know! Tummy control is always a plus! Thanks for the recommendation
I like J Jill’s authentic fit cropped jeans. They are heavy enough so you can’t see through them and have the fringe on the bottom. Cute!
I know they fit well too
After searching for years, I own Jennifer Lopez white jeans by Kohls. For some strange reason, they fit perfectly! That is the only piece of clothing I own in the line. I found it on clearance right before the brand was dropped by Kohls last year. Lucky me!! My 2nd pair are WHBM found at a thift store.
Iām glad you found your perfect pair, thatās hard to do!
eBay is often a great source for unusual things you want to find so you might the able to source a second pair there.