Spring and Summer are the seasons for white denim, although I personally wear white jeans throughout the year. When I say white denim, I’m referring to jeans, denim jackets and denim skirts. The whites vary from bright optical white and off-white to a greyish bone and warm cream. Take your pick. 

I am a HUGE advocate of white denim and white jeans in particular, and here’s why.

1. Dressy

When white denim isn’t torn, ripped, and distressed, it looks dressier than blue denim. White jeans are a great option when you don’t feel like wearing formal trousers or a skirt, but blue denim and casual pants are too casual. Many of my business casual clients aren’t allowed to wear blue jeans to work, but a polished pair of white jeans or a white denim skirt is acceptable. They can also get away with wearing a pristine white denim jacket in a dressier way. I find that white jeans are the ideal level of dressiness for many settings, making them a versatile workhorse for my style.

2. Crisp, Graphic and Fresh

There is something about adding white denim to an outfit that makes it look extra crisp and fresh. It also looks more graphic than blue, grey or black denim. White jeans look fabulously modern to my eye, especially when you wear them in the Autumn and Winter.

3. Bright and Neutral

White is the brightest neutral, and a fab way to change things when you prefer a neutral style. Instead of brights, white can be your bright. Combine white jeans with a neutral top, footwear and bag, and the visual effect of your outfit is bold and bright but 100% neutral.

4. Works with Pastels and Muddy Mid-Tones

Pastel tops and footwear look especially good with white bottoms. Match pastel tops and footwear with black and grey bottoms and the effect isn’t as punchy and crisp (unless you throw in white shoes and bag). White bottoms bring out light blue, blush, mint and lilac. Furthermore, white denim is smashing with black and grey tops, providing a more Summery way to wear black and grey. White denim works equally well with muddy mid-tones, thereby cleaning them up in a way blue and black denim can’t achieve.

5. More Unique than Blue

Most people wear blue and black jeans, skirts and jackets across a range of washes, but far fewer wear white denim because it’s harder to keep clean, looks a little stark, and can be too bold. Some find white jeans widening, and prefer the streamlined effect of wearing dark colours on the bottom. White denim jackets are excellent over dresses and skirts, look awfully Summery, and can work with all sorts of blue denim and non-denim bottoms. So if you want to look more unique, wearing white denim is one way to go.

6. Works with Platinum Blonde and Grey Hair

White denim can bookend and complement very blonde hair, salt & pepper hair, silver grey hair, and white hair because it picks up the lightest neutrals in heads of hair these colours. Of course, white denim can work with any complexion and head of hair when the support act is complementary.

For my style, white jeans are a wardrobe essential, and one of my very favourite things. I’d love to find a fabulous white denim jacket but don’t want one with silver buttons. I have several pairs of white jeans, and am open to adding a pair of wide crops.

Here is my current white denim collection. I wear the three pairs of cropped straights all the time, the pair of boyfriends once in a while, and the flares less frequently because they require a two inch heel which I don’t wear. I think I’ll have them hemmed to wear with white sneakers.

Most of my clients, across all body types, sizes and ages, wear white jeans. I say it every year: We can all wear white jeans. You don’t need to be slim in the leg, waist and thigh, or wear a small size. My US size 14 and 18 clients look as good wearing white jeans as those who wear smaller sizes. It’s a question of getting the fit and fabric right. Here are 12 tips for feeling fab in white bottoms.

Over to you. Do you wear white denim? If so, why do you like wearing it?

Marta Dahlhoff (45) lives in Germany and documents her outfits on Instagram. She mixes Modern Classic with lots of trendy pieces, and her Instagram feed is an explosion of joyous colour. Marta is an adventurous dresser who likes to experiment with different styles and silhouettes, and doesn’t shy away from pattern-mixing.

“My style has changed slightly since my 40th birthday. Before that, I was more of a ‘gray mouse’ and did not want to attract attention. Today I love color and it’s a pleasure to be seen. Between the ages of 30 and 40, I was very busy with the children’s education, job, family and only had limited time for myself. Everything changed from 40 onwards. I started to get into fashion again. My style is sporty – chic, colorful and not too playful. I love clean lines. I wear high-quality accessories but fast fashion, and I always give my gently-worn items to the many friends I still have in the Czech Republic.”

A cosy coat in a happy colour is a great way to light up the dreariest Winter day. Here, Marta is sporting an oversized bright green coat with blue jeans. The coat is straight through the back and torso, but structured on the shoulders which helps rein in the volume. Marta’s blue jeans with bleached patches casualize the look, while the white buckle booties add crispness and soft edge.Opting for mid-blue accessories makes the emerald coat pop even more. The white pattern on Marta’s large scarf bookend her footwear. The crossbody with gold chain strap matches the scarf beautifully and almost looks like denim, which adds textural interest.

Wearing a shirt dress open over trousers or jeans increases the versatility of the garment. Marta has tucked a simple scoop neck tee into dark wash skinny jeans that are cropped short enough to show off her white pointy-toe booties. These lengthen the leg line and bookend our blogger’s white T-shirt. Her greyish-blue belt doesn’t match but works great with Marta’s structured two-toned satchel. A floral print shirt dress with bright green and orange accents is worn open as a lightweight coat, adding drama and lots of visual interest. A dainty necklace, stud earrings and raspberry lipstick finish off the look.

Pink, burgundy and shades of red come together beautifully in this elegant, modern outfit. Marta is sporting a flouncy midi skirt with a striking pink and red floral print. Combining the calf-length skirt with fitted pointy-toe booties and a fitted top streamlines the look. The suede cranberry booties add textural interest. Our blogger’s burgundy turtleneck tee is slightly cropped which lengthens the leg line from the hips upward. A sharp fuschia blazer adds playful strictness and delightful extra colour. Marta completes this tonal look with a structured burgundy satchel and her trusted stud earrings.

Preppy in pink. This is a wonderful example of Angie’s Gingham Top Ensemble. Marta is wearing tailored cropped trousers with an eye-catching pastel and gold floral pattern. She is as adventurous with patterns as she is with colours, and here’s she’s pattern-mixing the trousers with a bright pink gingham shirt. The crisp shirt all buttoned up amps up the dressiness factor of this polished casual look. Tucking the shirt showcases Marta’s striking gold with beige belt that picks up the gold in the trousers. Tasseled gold loafers echo the other gold accents, and her light taupe bag cleverly complements Marta’s belt.

Another striking colour combo from our colour expert. The warm, rich mustard looks amazing with the tomato red! Marta is wearing cropped black skinny jeans with an oversized chunky sweater. Faux tucking the sweater and pairing it with skinny jeans tames the volume. The faux tuck also reveals a fun, bright red belt that complements her fab patent pointy-toe booties and the red accents in her scarf and bag. The pushed up sweater sleeves reveal an animal print top in shades of brown that look great with the mustard. Such a playful detail! The animal print is then picked up again in Marta’s artfully tied scarf. A classic satchel with not-so-classic bright red trim is the perfect finishing touch.

Our blonde-haired blogger really rocks all shades of red. Marta has tucked a bright red turtleneck sweater into black cropped skinnies. This lengthens the leg line and shows off her matching red belt. A pair of showstopper stiletto booties feature snakeskin print accents on the toe and heel. A fun man coat in a pinky-red plaid pattern adds playful pizzazz. The thigh length and structured fit on the shoulders make it just tailored enough. Marta accessorizes with a red satchel that works well with the rest of the colour palette, pink-red lippie and mirrored sunnies.

Let us know what you think of Marta’s colourful outfits, and be sure to browse the rest of her looks on Instagram.

Neutrals are serene colours that go with everything. They are typically less intense and less saturated than other colours. Black, shades of grey, and shades of white are the most popular neutrals. Then there’s shades of dark blue, blue denim, dark brown, taupe, shades of caramel, and shades of beige. Shades of olive are also often considered neutral.

Most wardrobes have a neutral component, because neutrals are grounding, versatile and soothing. It can be larger or smaller depending on your sartorial preferences. Some wardrobes are completely neutral, and others extremely colour-rich. It’s all good as long as you wear colours that you like and make you happy.

If you wear a large assortment of non-neutrals like I do, you’ll find that some of them are extremely versatile and function somewhat like a neutral. Tomato red and blush pink are the non-neutral neutrals of my style, and they work well together. To my eye, tomato red is a magical colour that works with every neutral and non-neutral. Blush pink is not far behind. I also find citron versatile, but not as versatile as a very bright orange-y red and soft pastel pink.

My clients run the gamut. Some with black/grey/white wardrobes think of dark blue and shades of brown as non-neutrals, which is extreme. Others with strong neutral wardrobes think of burgundy as their non-neutral neutral. Those into jewel tones find shades of purple and teal versatile and neutral. And those into earth tones regard shades of mustard, cinnamon, and burnt orange as their non-neutral neutrals.

Over to you. Which non-neutrals function as neutrals for your style?

Here are some items that have been winners on clients and friends. Some casual, some dressy, some extended sizes, some trends, some classics, and lots of interesting colours and patterns. You’ll probably get a good discount on the items from the Gap. 

1. Gap Rib Mix Woven Joggers

These caught my eye because they’re WOVEN, and not knitted like most jogger styles. They’re like wearing draped cotton pants in a jogger style. Super soft, comfortable, and excellent structure on the cuffs, The fabric is lovely, and the fit works on most body types. Dress them up or down. Excellent on a hot Summer’s day. Runs TTS and is available in petite, regular and long up to size XXL.

2. Gap High-Rise Wide-Leg Crop Chinos

These are a great way to try trendy bottoms on a budget. They’re wide and dramatic, so you have to be okay with that. They’re also quite long, but easy to hem. They run TTS but need waist alteration if you run narrow on the waist. Soft and lovely fabric. Comfortable. Can fit a curvier and straighter body type. Room on the thighs and the pocket linings don’t grin through.

3. Ann Taylor Striped Boat Neck Luxe Tee

This classic striped boat neck tee deserves a mention because of the clever neckline. The insets on the collar cross over at the shoulders to provide bra strap coverage. The detailing also makes the tee look more polished. Substantial fabric and a tailored fit. A lovely essential.

4. Scotch & Soda Fun

Dutch brand Scotch & Soda catch my interest because their items are interesting and unique, but without the designer price. Lots of pattern, pattern mixing, eccentric colour combinations, clever design details, and a knack for making dressy items look relaxed. GORGEOUS fabrics, luxurious textures against the body, good fits, and quality items. My closet welcomes more Scotch & Soda.

I’ve seen the items in the collection in person and fitted them on people. Unfortunately the stock photos do not do them justice because of how the items are styled. That said, feel free to ask questions about the items in the comments section. The silky bombers are fully reversible. The pants will fit a curvier and straighter body type. The wide leg gingham crops are the bomb, and fit beautifully. The knitted polo followed me home, and the blush workwear cotton jacket will probably earn a place in my closet too.

5. DL1961 Coco Curvy Straight Jeans

These jeans are brilliant on a curvier body type, and FULL LENGTH. They will fit a straight body type if you size down. Great fabric, and a very even wash.

They work well cuffed or rolled at the hem. Mid-rise and very streamlining. I have many happy clients in this style, and my tall clients in particular are ecstatic about the length.