I’m in favour of wearing white jeans year round. We wear black in Summer, so why can’t we wear white in Winter! White is the colour of snow, looks fresh and modern no matter what, and functions as a bright. Ignore the guideline that you shouldn’t wear white after Labor day. 

Here is one way of wearing white jeans in cold weather, and it happens to be my favourite. It’s about combining white jeans with a support act of statement pullover and booties. You might be able to shop your closet for the look right away, in any colour palette. I’ve chosen cool and warm neutrals. Ink blue because it’s softer than black, and camel for Team Earth Tones. 

Here are the components: 

White Jeans: Choose your silhouette, from straight legs and skinnies, to bootcuts or boyfriend jeans. I vote optical white, but cream or ecru is another option. 

Statement Pullover: You’re after something a little more than a basic sweater, so think oversized drapey styles, high-low hemlines, patterns, cheeky pullovers, and conversational prints. Of course, if a basic pullover is your preference, that’s fine too. Tuck, semi-tuck or faux tuck. 

Booties: You have a choice of keeping the booties low or high contrast against the white of the jeans. I’ve chosen high contrast ink booties and caramel booties to match the pullovers, but white, tan, light taupe or silver booties are a low contrast choice. I also chose heeled booties to offset the horizontal line that is created by the high contrast colour. Oxfords and shooties are additional footwear options. 

Coat: A wool coat of your choice finishes off the look. A cape, trench coat, wool blazer or leather jacket works as well. 

Accessories: Wear a belt if you semi or faux tuck the pullover. I’ve chosen an on trend silver clutch because silver works well with white and adds in sci-fi fabness. Add jewellery, watch and eyewear as desired.

It’s the sheer brightness of white jeans and the fact that they are dressier than blue jeans that appeals to me most about wearing them year round. I have three pairs that are wardrobe workhorses, and I’m in white jeans at least once a week. As I type this, I’m wearing white boyfriend jeans with a neon pink cashmere pullover, leopard belt and leopard booties. I have also worn the ink and white ensemble version on the left quite a bit.

I love white jeans, and need no convincing to wear them. Will you wear white jeans in cold weather?

I adored Moira Redmond’s roundup of women wearing trousers in the world of fiction. As in real life, ladies who wore pants were frowned upon in books too during the first half of the 20th century, so these “pioneers of the pant” truly were sartorial trailblazers.

Sally recently did a post on the rise and crotch fit of pants with helpful suggestions for women who are struggling with this issue.

Refinery29 published “In Defense Of Black Work Slacks” as a reaction to Emma Rosenblum’s piece “Ladies, Please Burn Your Black Work Pants” in Bloomberg Business Week. I see absolutely nothing wrong with an amazing pair of perfectly fitting black trousers, for work or play, and am curious to hear your take on this.

Fab Links from Our Members

Nicole D recently discovered Verily Magazine, a fashion and lifestyle mag that does not retouch their models, and has some great features with everyday people wearing designer duds.

Mochi would like to share this fun article that makes you look forward to getting older and being all the more fabulous and outrageous.

Some of the sales tactics in this article with tips from a retail guru were new to Classically Casual, and she thought they could benefit others too. 

Angie loves the straight vertical and horizontal lines in this outfit. 

Deb enjoyed watching this Thierry Mugler video with ’80s ready-to-wear fashion shows: the shoulders, the hair and the sci-fi do bring back memories.

Vicki is a huge fan of leather jackets and could easily fall in love with many of the styles in these two tempting roundups.

Suz thought that Sally’s piece on working with limited shoe options might be helpful for people who are very limited in the type of footwear they can use. Don’t forget to check out the readers’ comments too, as they contain additional tips.

Rebecca over at The Clothes Horse shares her thoughts on selfies. Neel found the post thought-provoking and recommends it as a must-read for everyone who takes their own pictures (or not).

Lisa liked Bridgette Raes’ post about the ten item wardrobe concept because it goes into the reasons why it may not work for some.

Maria’s method of doing inspiration and mood boards really appeals to Vildy. This Norwegian blogger has published a series of exercises to help everyone find their own style, from people who haven’t thought much about clothes to the super fashion savvy who are perhaps intellectualizing things too much.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and a time to reflect on how cancer has affected those close to me. I’m wearing lots of pink, the official colour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and dedicating this particular post to four extraordinary women. My precious Mum who died of liver cancer, and whose stunning style and affectionate spirit I see and feel before me daily. My very special Mum in Law, a cancer survivor, and role model in every way. She is visiting from South Africa at the moment and it’s a treat to have her close by. And two friends, who are extremely upbeat, strong and courageous as they soldier through difficult cancer treatments. I’m inspired by their strength and send them healing thoughts. 

A pink wool coat was the first thing on my cold weather shopping list. I bat for Team Coat, and have the climate to wear the heck out of them for six months of the year. At first I wanted a blush coat because my blush moto jacket is so versatile, and a pastel addition to my coat capsule would be fresh and different. I also wasn’t sure whether I wanted to go tailored and ladylike like my red coat, or slightly oversized and androgynous along the lines of the man coat trend.

Well, the decision was made as soon as I tried on Joseph’s Long Wool Man Coat in shocking pink. It was love at first sight, the colour makes me happier than blush, and it’s so impeccably made it makes me cry. The clean lines, crisp integrity, low stance, luxurious fabric, refined lapels, angular drape and simplicity suit my style persona. The roomy straight fit looks modern, and the way it moves when left open as I stride feels magical.

It’s also fun that my man coat is in a girly colour. And last, both my late Mum and my Mum in Law love this shade of pink, which makes it all the more special to sport in their honour. It is the perfect pink coat for me, and I’m in heaven with my splurge of the year. 

One of my favourite parts about the coat is the black underside of the collar, which creates a colour blocked effect when popped. It adds visual interest and changes the look. Fun to wear the collar both up and down.

The fit of the coat is intentionally oversized so that’s why the sleeves are long and the fit a little boxy all over. It does not nip in at the waist at all. But it’s tailored on the shoulders, slim on the hip and fairly streamlined on the sleeves, providing ample structure for my slight frame. 

For the pink coat’s first outing, I paired it with a short and cheeky cashmere polka dot pullover that I bought at this year’s Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. It brings out the ’80s integrity of the coat, which as an ’80s gal at heart, makes me smile. I like the way the graphic round polka dot tickles the strict straight lines of the coat, and is repeated in the buttons.

These are my favourite wool trousers of all time. They are from Theory’s collection last season (I’m wearing them in other outfits here, here and here). They are baggy with scrunch, but not slouchy, and very comfortable. I’m refreshing their look with a cropped and faux tucked fluid pullover. And as a nod to the matchy-matchy trend, popped on a polka dot belt just for fun.

I finished off the outfit with cream booties to repeat the cream of the pullover and bookend my hair. Although I prefer pointy toe footwear, wearing round toes is still fine by me. The simple black patent doctor’s satchel is worn and falling apart, but I love it dearly, so it’s going to be threadbare by the time I pass it on. And besides, I get a kick out of wearing something old and a bit battered with something brand spanking new. Black specs, gold watch and wedding ring are all I need in the accessory department. Outfit happiness factor is through the roof. 

Team Pink, please join me in wearing pink in October to show our support for those fighting cancer. We will remember fondly those who have passed away, stand strong with those who are fighting now, and celebrate with the many survivors. 

Finally, please visit the NBCAM website to find links to many resources with more information on breast cancer.

This one is for Team Color Block. There is something about a colour blocked outfit that looks modern and graphic, especially when the items are blocked in or with black and white. Some items look sporty, and others look Mod. Remember that colour blocked items needn’t be high contrast. Items blocked in tonal and low contrast colours are just as fab. 

• Trouve Mixed Media Coat: Oversized yet tailored. A little mixed media and military flair goes a long way to making a dull grey coat look interesting. 
• Vince Camuto Faux Leather Collar Plaid Blazer: A fluid tuxedo blazer with low stance in classic plaid. I was wowed by its fit. Clean, angular lines. 
• Dolce Vita Loafer Flat: Comfortable and minimalist. Works for a wider foot. 
• Karen Kane Stripe A-Line Dress: Sporty, casual, easy and sleeved. A no-brainer with tall black boots or booties. Thick, drapey, and non-clingy. 
• Karen Kane Louvre Dress: This one is suited to a short neck and full bust. Shaped but not clingy. Add pumps or boots, a coat, and you’re good to go. 
• Marc by Marc Jacobs Bella Crewneck Cashmere & Silk Sweater: Bold and simple. 
• Theory Adashi K Crop Jacket: Woven, fluid and drapes like a dream. The cropped length makes it an easy match for skirts and dresses.
• Hue Colorblock knee-high socks: Toasty blocking for knee-high boots. 
• Isaac Mizrahi Lucille Satchel: Forest green bags are hard to find, so that’s my top pick in this versatile satchel. 
• Sole Society Dalia Colorblock Tote: Great for traveling. There’s an interior zipped-up section that functions as a removable clutch. Handy. 
• Vince Camuto Max Leather Crossbody Bag: Structured and ladylike. 
• Two Tone Wool Felt Fedora: A cute hat to brave mild elements. Nice mix of dressy and casual. 
• Aquatalia by Marvin K Quaint Boot: Completely weatherproof — and I mean puddle-proof. Beautifully made, comfortable and tailored on the ankle. Runs half a size small.  

Colour blocking creates an interesting outfit without the patterns. I’m a big fan.