White Jeans Outfit Ideas: 3 Ways to Wear Them This Season
I’ve always loved the idea of white or off-white jeans — that fresh, polished lift they give to a casual outfit. But finding the right pair is trickier than it sounds. Too fitted and they’re unforgiving; too oversized and they look sloppy. Go lightweight and they risk being sheer, but opacity often comes at the cost of a heavy, stiff fabric. After trying several styles over the past few seasons, I’ve finally found a pair that works for me and couldn’t be easier to style. Here are three ways I’ve been wearing them lately — from a pop of color to a more tonal, layered look.
Shop the Looks
Neutral & Tonal
For this tonal outfit, I started with an off-white column, and added some bits of tan and cinnamon. I love how a tonal look feels both effortless and polished.
BRACELETS (SIMILAR) | JEANS | SHOES
My sizes: Jacket – 4, Shell – Small, Jeans – 28
I’m wearing the AG Hattie Crop jeans in Opal Stone, which is a creamy off-white. (Also available in true white HERE.) Though brand calls this style a “barrel-leg,”” the shape is more subtle: a slightly-curved wide leg. The ease in the hip makes them comfortable, and the fabric has structure without being stiff or heavy. They run true-to-size, and I shortened by about an inch.
The jacket is ME+EM from a few seasons back. I’ve been wearing this one a LOT lately! It’s no longer available, but here are some with a similar look: La Ligne | Haven Well Within | Wildfang
This time of year, I find a sleeveless knit shell the perfect layer underneath a light jacket or cardigan. The one I’m wearing is a lightweight cashmere from Demylee (gifted). It’s more polished than a tee, but still relaxed, and runs true-to-size.
Breezy & Cool
Eyelet (or broderie anglaise) is everywhere this season, and is a lovely option for those times when you want to keep cool while staying covered.
My sizes: Shirt – XS, Jeans – 28
Eyelet, lace inserts, and cutout details not only add texture and interest, they also allow for airflow and can be a great option for summer travel. I love this petite-friendly cropped style from J.Crew (which can also be worn open as a lightweight topper over a tee or tank). I’m wearing over a camisole above, but wouldn’t hesitate to wear on its own as the openwork is small enough to not be revealing.
Shorter styles like this one work well proportionally with fuller pants and skirts, but you can also find full-length eyelet and lace insert shirts (many of these available in colors in addition to white): Boden | Ann Taylor | Gap | Loft | Banana Republic | APNY | Kut from the Kloth .
A Pop of Color
And white/off-white jeans pair beautifully with colorful tops and accessories. I always get compliments on this bright top.
This lightweight cashmere blend tee is another ME+EM favorite. This color is sold out, but there are other colors available HERE. There’s also a light cotton version. (And if your climate calls for something more lightweight, here’s a cotton-linen blend tee in a similar color.)
I love scarves and bandanas with a whimsical print, so couldn’t resist this cotton shrimp print bandana from Echo! When it’s too warm to layer, leverage your accessories to make simple outfits look finished. Bandanas like this can also be worn as a headscarf or tied around a pony tail or on the handle of your bag.
A White Jeans Capsule for Cool Palettes
Here are styles similar to what I’ve shown above, but in cool shades.
BRACELETS | JEANS | SHELL | JACKET | BALLET FLATS | ESPADRILLES
Tips for Choosing (and Caring for) White Jeans
As mentioned above, white jeans can be tricky to get right. Here are a few of my tips to find a pair you’ll love and keep them looking fresh:
- Try going up a size to compare. I think white and light colored jeans and pants look better when there’s some ease. You don’t have to go full baggy or oversized, but a slightly relaxed fit will look (and feel!) more refined than too-snug styles.
- To keep underwear invisible, opt for a shade that matches your skin tone rather than white.
- While you don’t need to stick to rigid denim, be wary of fabrics with a high percentage of synthetics which can stretch out or look sheer or shiny.
- To keep white jeans from yellowing, wash only with other white items, and avoid bleach, fabric softeners, and hot dryers. If you can line dry in the sun, that’s optimal! (Less of a problem with off-white jeans, but still good practice for any light denim.)
- And wash less often! Spot clean whenever you can.
- Tonne Goodman, the legendary Vogue editor who wears white jeans almost exclusively, says that if the front pockets show through, you can always remove and sew them shut. (Not my preference, but in an otherwise-perfect pair, it’s an option.)
- One more thing: yes, you absolutely can wear white and off-white jeans year round if you like (and weather permits).
Do you have a favorite style or brand of white or off-white jeans? Let me know in the comments!
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Love this post! I have several pairs of white jeans and cream jeans, mostly Eileen Fisher because those work best for me. I have a couple of wide-leg pairs, and a slim pair, but my favorites are the barrel leg jeans. EF’s aren’t too wide and the barrel leg style is actually flattering on me, since it skims the hips. I get a lot of compliments on this style.
Susan, I’d love to see you do a post on belts. I almost always wear a belt with jeans and any other pants, but wonder if a belt is always necessary with jeans. Can you advise on this point sometime in a future post? Thank you.
I would also like to see a post on belts, especially with jeans. And, what color belt to wear with white jeans.
I love the fit and feel of Chico’s white jeans. Also when I wash them I use Oxi White Revive, wonderful product.
Great post Susan! After ordering 3 different sizes, I now have the Hattie high waist barrel jean in white. I love the jeans and needed to know how to style. I bought a beautiful red and white Cinq a Sept sweater I plan to wear with them. I have two blue/white floral tops — Farm Rio and Mille. One is designed to wear untucked and the other could be tucked. They are kind of frou-frou. Would they work? I’ve also ordered a navy La Ligne crop sweater. Your September Paris trip looks wonderful!
Hi Susan – How did you tie the shrimp scarf? So cute!
Thanks, Ann
Hi Ann, thanks! Here’s a reel I put together to explain how to tie: https://www.instagram.com/p/DK-XJeDhv12/
I love white jeans to summarize my dark winter jewel tones. This summer I’m loving sapphire blue, red and magenta with true white. Even though it gets hot where I live, AC is freezing!
Loved the colors in this post! Wish barrel style jeans where more flattering on larger sizes.
I understand you are short (petite!) and therefore barrel jeans are full length on you and many others. On me, at 5’9″, barrel jeans look ridiculous. I’m searching for a long pair of white pants because I love the look — but haven’t found a single pair with at least a 32 inch inseam. I’ll keep ordering and returning, I guess, but it’s frustrating.
Annie, try AG Mari or Prima, I also love their Slim Slouchy Boyfriend jeans in longer lengths.
Hi Annie, have you looked at the J.Crew Zoe barrel jean? It’s available in Tall sizes with a 32″ inseam. https://go.shopmy.us/p-62616647
Imogene + Willie ship all their jeans with a very long inseam (34”, I think). Their curation is small, but they might be of use.
I have one pair of jeans from them—an investment, and very high quality.
Susan,
Thank you for your post on off white jeans. I needed the update!
One question…what is the name of your wristwatch? I am looking for one and admire yours. Much thanks!
Hi FabulousWu, thanks! My watch is this one from Tag Heuer: Aquaracer
Susan, loved this post! And thank you so much for including a cool summer/winter version. I saw the jcrew eyelet shirt you are wearing online and was hoping it would fit in my sprinter winter/bright winter palette. Can sprinter/bright winters share colors with bright springs?
Hi Arlene, thanks! Since Sprinters are on the warmest end of Winter, it might work.
Love white and off white jeans but just can’t get on board with the raw edge look!
(PS thanks for the refresher tutorial on tying little cotton bandanas, one of my favorite accessories year round).
My favorite white jean this summer — the J.Jill “straight leg ankle” in white! It’s been light enough to wear even on the 90 degree days we’ve already had. Not too thin; not too heavy. I’m debating buying a second pair … just in case something unlaunderable (HA!) happens to the pair I’m wearing right now!
I had an entire glass of red wine spill on my favorite white jeans a few summers ago…and my girlfriend (the spiller!) swore by “CARBONA Stain Devil” for “red wine stains”…I purchsed when I returned from my girl’s trip AND – it worked 100% – they make an entire line of “stain specific” potions…
Great examples of how to style white jeans. Like you I have found my favourite white jeans and immediately shortened them to suit sneakers and not high heels. Really anything looks good with them.
Greetje
Thanks, Greetje! I’m quite happy to have found these.
Love the post and choices. Curious how you find some of the brands you are displaying. When shopping online, I tend to choose the stores I am most familiar with, including their shipping and return policies.
Thanks for your response. Gloria
I love white jeans. I have some of white straight leg Eileen Fisher and a new pair of optic white from the GAP, straight leg. Just back from vacation in Italy and took the new Gap jeans. They were great. Lots of white in Italy this time of year, long skirts, jeans and very. short shorts – for the very young women.