Today on the blog, styling white denim, some shopping tips and current trends. White jeans are something we all have in the closet, but some pairs are more flattering than others. Let’s talk about what works..and how to wear them.
I am excited to join some friends today …and we are all chatting about white denim! I’m a huge lover of white jeans. I like white denim in summer and spring with pretty blouses, strappy flat sandals, and also with solid basics like grey, camel, navy and black.
Michael Kors often talks about how to look wealthy ( or how to fake it he says), and one of his pieces in Bazaar called, ‘How to Look Like a Million Bucks,’ involved a stack of fresh little black t-shirts every season and white jeans ala- Jackie O. I keep that image in my mind when I think of how I want to look in white jeans. I love the slightly cropped straight white pant she was wearing here. That’s a very current and flattering look.. Grazing the ankle. Frank & Eileen has a similar trouser jean here I’ve been wanting. It’s pricey, but their things are really nicely made and tailored..
For flattering white jeans..
- Buy a thicker material. You do not want your jeans to be see-through.
- Go for a straight leg, not a jegging or skinny fit!
- Consider where they fall. Just above ankle can look great with most shoes. Much shorter and you risk wearing capris, which isn’t as flattering. A longer flare can work with a heel.
- Look at the material. You want a tiny percentage of synthetic with the cotton for comfort. If you get 100% cotton they will be stiffer, but they also won’t lose their shape at all. Some of the baggier new styles are all cotton.
Here’s a few ways I’ve been wearing my white denim lately.. I’ve been wearing a lot of gold colors, tans and black in this transitional season..Short jackets like this cropped trench is another I love with my white jeans.. I added a slim jacket with the baggier jeans on left.
This Rails Steffi Jacket above has been a great piece I have worn with so much..
The little denim jacket is always a good partner too….This one was a great price.
Below, my favorites and some current options that are intriguing…All are linked on photos..
Some styling ideas…
White jeans with white blouses is one of my favorite looks. I have a collection of white blouses and I like to pair them with white denim.. This is a baggier pair by Mother in the middle, and the J Crew straight vintage on the left.
White jeans and black..and tan or grey..Always a classic- winter or summer. And yes you should wear white jeans in winter with sweaters and jackets like I did this year… It feels resort-ish in the middle of dreary weather..
Baggier white jeans and skinnier tops and jackets.. This is a modern look and pairing the bigger pant with a more fitted top half will prevent you from looking blocky. Balance the wider pant with a longer slim jacket, or top and a more feminine shoe like a pretty sandal, heel, or a flat with a pointed toe will help..
White denim and blue shirts is another favorite look..The middle one from Rails is the Camille top and I love the style and it comes in a pretty white and rose.
I also love a white blazer and white jeans and it looks so good on Olympia Gayot of J. Crew..A good white denim jacket is a must have as well in the closet! J. Crew has a white denim version of their lady jacket which is fun…
A few other jacket options…links on photos.
I hope this gave you some ideas for styling your white denim! Remember think Jackie O when you choose them and style them. Go for classic looks. You can also follow me on Pinterest and my board White Jeans Forever!
Now check out what ideas and tips my friends have for you white denim..
Thanks for stopping by,
Kim
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You match your house Kim in the top four photos. Your colors on your body are the same colors that are in your house. I love that!
I guess so! LOl. Thanks
You are fabulous in all of the white denim looks!! Thanks for all of the fresh ideas!
Thanks E! Hope we get to shop together soon! xx
GREAT post, Kim. I love your taste. Every time I wear a black tee and white jeans…it’s so easy and yet polished (thanks to Jackie).
I’m going to remember to wear a white blouse with my jeans. Love the black shoes!
Mary Ann, See you so reminded me of Jackie with that white jean black tee combo! Yes try the white blouse/white denim look. xo
Oh thanks I am wearing my black slides so much.
Kim I love your California style…not too fussy! I could wear any of the looks you have shown and I got some great ideas….also thanks for posting some links to the denim…I am a sucker for white denim and you just can’t have too many pairs right! Thank you so much for including me…I feel honored!
Sherry right back at you!! I always save your outfit ideas! We have similar taste I think. It was so fun to do this with you..xo
Kim! You are so chic! Love the white denim with honey gold and black! Those fisherman sandals look great! And with your hair up and a Jean jacket over your shoulders…stunning!!
Xo
Annie
Annie that’s my first time pairing them. I wanted to wear that mini trench. Aw thanks ! You did a fab job on your post and love all you shared and the Kule shirts area on my wishlist ! xo
Another great informative post. You wear them well and all your outfits are great examples of how to keep it easy classic and comfortable. Once again you’re the epitome of Casual Classic California style. Bravo!
Kathy, Thank you. So sweet of you.. xo
Hi Kim, You’ve given me new ideas for how to wear white jeans. I would not have thought to put white with white or the black tee and honey-colored short trench, which is so cute. Every time I see the picture of you sitting on the wall, it reminds me of the very first time I came across your blog. I fell in love with your taupe purse and you gave me a personal response when I asked about it. I was so amazed that you took the time to find links to many other taupe bags. Time for me to go in search of some white jeans that aren’t skinny!!
Wren you are so nice! I had forgotten about that.. I am so glad we connected!
I know kind of fun trying different shades with white denim.. I hope you find the right pair. I’ll keep adding more to the blogs as I find them.. I am forever in search of more flattering pairs that feel good on too.
xoxo
I found a store in SLO that carries a small number of Kut styles and bought one called Catherine. It’s awfully similar in fit to my old Gap skinnies (which really aren’t terribly skinny). I’m sold on this brand which is less than half the cost of so many others and also I take a size TWO in these! Wow!…..but probably not too realistic. I also want to follow up on some you shared in another blog from Madewell, just don’t like the idea of ordering jeans by mail because getting the right fit is tricky. Happy Mother’s Day, even if you’re not with your boys. 💐
Wren thank you for sharing! I also like KUT brand. Agree good price and quality too. Yes jeans are hard right? I feel like once you know the brand it helps with ordering. I do read reviews too.
Happy Mother’s Day to you too Wren and thank you for this! I’ll share more of that brand. xo
Kim,
You keep raising the bar! What a great post!
I love white in white and white with black or blue/chambray/blue Jean. Classic and effortless.
I am eyeing the J Crew white lady jacket.
ME
Mary Ellen thanks! I am glad it was helpful.. I know that Lady jacket is adorbs. J. Crew keeps brining the cutest things..xo
Great tips on wearing white jeans to flatter your figure, love those! Also, love the white-on-white look as well, so chic!
xo-Noelani
Thanks Noelani! So fun meeting and doing this together.xx
You may remember me saying that, at nearly 73 , I just bought my first pair of white jeans 😀…now you’re showing me excellent suggestions for wearing them!
I am now at my former ‘set point’ of weight after 7 years of being a bit more ‘ lush ‘ that I wished!
( are other women finding that after 65, weight is sneakily going up a bit? ) I am down 11 lbs… with Pilates definitely being my go to, along with walking, biking ( now it’s warmer) and once weekly deep water workouts. Salads 🥗 more often help too. Confident enough to put in those white jeans 👍
I will be choosing more colours for my tops… being a soft Autumn, white nor black work well near my face… but tans and camels and denim are good. Thanks for the great ideas, Kim…and enjoy a special Mother’s Day with your fellows. 🐞
Cath yes.. So glad you got them. Hope you are having some fun styling them. Wow that’s awesome you are doing pilates. I did a class before the pandemic and saw a difference in my body.. I should go back..Sounds like you are doing all sorts of healthy things. Inspiring!! I need more salads.
Tans and camels will be pretty with white jeans!
Hope you have a beautiful weekend too. Thanks for the notes. xo
Kim! Is that a new chic little shoulder length haircut I have spied in your pics? I don’t know if those are recent or not, but it looks new to me! So cute! I will save white denim for when the kids are older, but I do love the look!
Hi Nicole! Yes I got a haircut! Aw thank you. I feel less shaggy..HA!
I know I have a beater pair of white denim for everyday and nicer ones for going out.. You need a pair you don’t have to worry about. Hope you have a lovely weekend! xo
These looks are so good!! I just can’t do white jeans, even though I am
a size 8, I have muscular legs, just don’t like me in them, not
too mention I attract spills!😂Living in hot Arizona makes
it tough too. I see these looks and want to try again!! You
have a great look, thanks for the ideas.
Hi Char! Thanks. I get that. White jeans are more work.. and you have to find a pair that feels good. I do like the newer straight legs. I wonder if you found a pair that would feel better and night so tight? There are less tight ones now thankfully. You just may need to try more brands on and see if you can find ones that feel great. x
Hi Kim,
You have such a special gift of styling each look in a special way.
The black and white is such a classic and the white on white is refreshing, crisp and clean looking.
Thank you for sharing.
Hi Katherine! Thank you for the sweet note.. I love white jeans. I hope you have a beautiful weekend! xo
Hi Kim!
These are all fabulous ideas for white denim. Thanks for adding the great photos! I’m waiting for the Madewell Petite Kickout Crop to be delivered. They are a month out on backorder. I’ll let you know how they look!
Have a wonderful weekend.
Hi Karen! I would love to hear about the Madewell jean. So far a lot of people have liked it! I also love the J. Crew vintage straight too. Have a great weekend too. xo
So many wonderful styling ideas and thanks for the Jackie O reminder of classic style! Everything you put together looks comfortable, casual and chic!
Thank you Ginger! I try for comfort plus chic! xo
I live in white denim ankle jeans or pants from late spring through early fall. It’s kind of embarrassing how much I wear them. lol
Julie, I think I prefer them to regular jeans sometimes. I have a little stack- some more beat for at home and other nicer ones for going out. Are you the same?
Thank you so much for this post (and ALL your posts). You provide such great fashion advice and inspiration. Love the Jackie O. Look with the black tee and white jeans – a classic. And love the main photo of you before you click on the post; it’s such a great look with the white jeans, blouse, Claire V bag, and those shoes! Can you please reveal the brand and comfort level? Are they the French Sole (fsny) Beige Siel Sandal? Thank you!
Hi Julie! Thank you for taking the time to leave such a sweet note! The shoes are Valentino slides. i bought them – actually had some birthday money and added to it, but they were about $150 cheaper than they are now.. The sandal is very comfy… and I wear them a lot. They are my fancy shoe because I don’t wear heels really..
https://rstyle.me/+1jJN_2xIKnu7lG4df38q2g
I also just saw these French Sole I think that’s the ones you are talking about here.. My friend has them and likes them a lot.. They look nearly identical!
https://rstyle.me/+RvQRsFVcQcE7A88ukubAXQ
Love it and also more affordable.
xo
Love your Valentino’s and yes, the shoe on the Tuckernuck website was what I was referring to. Thank you so much for going the extra mile and providing feedback from your friend. I think I’ll use my birthday money to buy them! Enjoy your weekend and Happy Mother’s Day!
Thank you for this excellent and informative post. It’s full of so many great styling ideas! I bought the Mother Ditcher jeans you have featured here a couple of months ago and they have quickly become my go to white jeans. The combination of the looser fit and cropped inseam is just perfect for me at 5’3”. Now I’ve got lots of inspiration for ways to wear them all summer- thank you!
Hi Kim,
Love your blog…trying to find the one where you mention shopping in Upper Richmond area? In town and going to showcase house then to that area. Would so appreciate your info…thanks, Michele
Hi Michele, Thanks so much! It may have been the walk I took in town and had lunch at Presidio Heights and there were some cute shops nearby too.. This is the blog
http://northerncalstyle.com/2023/01/the-winter-coat-you-missed-out-on-a-day-out-in-sfs-presidio-heights-and-cookies-to-hunker-down-with.html
Hope that helps!