Spring Outfit Idea: Styling White Jeans with Butter Yellow
Mother Nature seems to have received and read the memo…we’ve been graced with some gorgeous spring weather the last few days! I’ve been playing in my closet and putting outfits together, and find myself gravitating toward lighter colors, especially white jeans. Here I’ve styled with some butter yellow pieces…
My sizes: Cardigan – Petite S, Tee – Small, Jeans – Petite 29
Even in a relaxed fit, there’s just something about a pair of white jeans that “dials up” a casual outfit. These darted barrel-leg jeans from Madewell have just the right balance of slouch and structure for me. (I usually size up in white jeans, and did so with these.) The “Vintage Canvas” color here is a slightly warm off-white, which I think would work for Springs, Summers, and Autumns.
If you prefer a straighter cut that still has some ease, this Slim-Wide style from J.Crew is good. Also this AG “Brinley” style looks promising. (Both of these are white white, best for cool palettes.) For warm palettes, look for off-white, ecru, or ivory, like these relaxed bootcut jeans, or mid-rise “Stovepipe Straight” jeans.
I’m seeing quite a bit of yellow in this season’s collections, from really bright, almost acid yellows, to the “butter” yellow* I’m wearing here (close to “Banana” in the Spring palette) to cooler, softer, more greyed-out yellows (“Primrose” in the Summer palette). Yellow is one of those colors that a lot of people believe they can’t wear, but often it’s just a matter of finding the right yellow for their seasonal color palette.
And if you love yellow but feel it’s not best near your face, you can always bring in as an accessory.
*Something to remember: the color names that brands assign can be quite arbitrary. For example, these Mary Jane flats that Madewell calls “butter yellow” are actually a cool Primrose yellow. If you’ve had your colors analyzed, rely on your visual color palette rather than a brand’s color name.
More white jeans outfit ideas…
Are you a fan of white jeans? What style do you find works best for you?
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You look marvellous in all three outfits. I haven’t ventured into white jeans yet but I might do now.
Greetje
Thanks so much, Greetje!
Such beautiful outfits. I’m trying hard not to be jealous! I hope you will help us winters with a summer capsule. The one you did last summer? (The nautical/old money look) was so helpful to me. I struggle “summerizing” my dark winter jewel tones. Seeing a lot of red shown for this summer so that’s good. I plan to pair my colors with white, cool taupe and some dark brown accessories (hello boat shoes and vintage Coach bag) in addition to my usual navy/silver/gray/black. I bought a beautiful EF linen shirt dress in Blackberry (comes in petite!) that will be amazing in my summer wardrobe.. I know I usually need to wait for summer collections for more of “my” colors. Have a great weekend!
Hi Shari, I’m working on some cool palette spring-to-summer capsules, stay tuned… 😉
Yay that’s exciting ! Looking forward to it .
These outfits look great on you!
Thank you, Laura!
I love how fresh that soft yellow and white combo looks on you. I’m so ready for spring weather!
Thanks, Jennifer! I love this combo too.
Still waiting to wear my white jeans here on the Alberta prairie, not because I abide by fashion rules like don’t wear white after Labour Day, but because it’s slush and mud season here as our snow melts. Not conducive to keeping white jeans clean!
I am curious as to why one of the colors at the Madewell pants link has different front pocket design from the other washes. Is that indicative of a previous design just being lumped in with the newer designs, or does the color name “kingwash” indicate to the veteran shopper that this is a special pocket design?
Hey spot, I noticed that too. It is an odd choice, maybe the marketing team just didn’t want to come up with another product name.
you’ve really inspired me with great outfits. I’ve loved everything you’ve shown lately. If I could steal from your closet, I would!
Would you share what size belt you’re wearing?
Thx!
Hi Linda, thanks! I’m wearing a Medium in the belt.
Living in the Pacific Northwest, I wear my white jeans when it is not raining and so far spring is not cooperating. I love my bright yellow denim jeans even more than white. After reading your post, I retrieved them from storage. I love yellow with navy.
I love white jeans and currently have a pair of Eileen Fisher straight legs jeans and a pair of NYD jeans in crop style. I usually only wear them in summer, but you are inspiring me to get them out and wear them how. Thanks!
Timely post for me. Just this week I bought a primrose yellow cotton cashmere cardigan and immediately thought of my off white jeans. Even though I’m a light summer I have a lovely pair of tan Oxfords that I’m very fond of and bought to wear with dark wash jeans. Looking forward to the cool palette suggestions.
Susan, I want to ask you about the shoes…I just got a pair of Cole Haan sneakers, which look like they are the same gold as the shoes you’re wearing. I had thought mine would be a more burnished gold, but when they arrived I found them to be pretty bright; not sure about that color. Obviously you like it! They look cute in the picture, do you find the gold isn’t too bright?
I like those acid yellows with pink in early Spring. I expect several months of cool/warm/wet weather ahead so my clothes will stay heavier and the darker yellow is fine. Come Summer it gets put away b/c it looks too heavy.