Are white jeans really all that versatile? - YouLookFab Forum

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Are white jeans really all that versatile?

Inge

(website)

I know Angie raves about white jeans for Summer, but I'm wondering how versatile they really are.

Maybe it's just me, but I only tend to wear white bottoms when it's very warm (say 25°C/77°F and over), but then it's often to warm for denim (due to the heavier fabric). So I usually opt for light-weight trousers or a skirt or dress then.

That's why I'm wondering if white jeans would only come out on very few occasions (bearing in mind that I live in Belgium, where temperatures, even in Summer, are often lower and a lot of the time it's cloudy too - I feel a bit weird wearing white bottoms then).
If so, they're not worth the investment I think, nor the time and effort it will take me to find a a pair that fits perfectly and is flattering.

What's your opinion?

General

25 replies

Latest reply was from Laura

Patience

Veteran

Inge, it sounds to me like you are just used to wearing dark colors year round. Am I wrong? If it stays as cool as 77F, I'd think denim would be perfect. Of course, bear in mind that it's February and we expect to get close to 77F today so I'm coming from a much warmer perspective. I do think white denim is a good investment in your climate but for you that might be associated with changing your perspective as well. If no one in your town wears white denim, you'd definitely stand out and would have to be okay with that.

Inge

(website)

You certainly have a point there, Patience. It's not that nobody wears white (jeans) here, but I'm definitely not used to the look for myself.

It's funny, isn't it: how I'm referring to those temperatures as 'very warm', while for you that's a normal day in February;-)
(I have to say I'm relieved I don't live in Texas, I would so not flourish in your Summer heat!!).

Tanya

Veteran

I also think it's a matter of perspective Inge. I love white jeans and have a few different ones. I will wear them from March through September as long as it is dry outside. If it's warmer I'll pair them with colorful lightweight tops and if it's cooler I treat them like dark denim, that is make a smart casual outfit out of them with all the layering, jacket etc. Here's one such outfit from last year:

http://s300.photobucket.com/al.....CN2914.jpg

Patience

Veteran

Inge, you said you would never have considered yellow sandals 6 months ago. Well, start looking at pictures and outfits with white denim and see if your perspective changes a bit. Then try some on. You may find it was just a matter of adjusting or you may find it is just not your style. I think you would look great in them.

I would love you to come visit Austin some time-- in February. The weather has been absolutely glorious this winter. (Seattle gets 300 days of rain and we get 300 days of sunshine each year).

tarzy

Veteran

I LOVE white jeans worn with dark colors - for instance black boots and top (or brown), and maybe a leather jacket. I think it's very chic. Of course you can do the lighter colors too, but I love the contrast of the white and dark. I don't have a good pair of white jeans currently, but I am looking.

shiny

Veteran

I think white jeans are perfect for spring (especially with navy, turquoise, red) and even for fall (I like pairing mine with my butter leather jacket and teal sweater).

For summer, I think they come in handy for air-conditioning and for evenings when it's cooler. Summer evenings can get quite cool here, especially on the coast line. But agree they are too hot for summer days here in Boston.

Laura

(website)

Veteran

I was surprised at how often I reached for my white jeans last year. They brighten up everything. In fact I would argue you'd gets tons of use out of them if you started wearing them in temps lower than 77 degrees - try 65 and above and see what you think

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Laura

(website)

Veteran

Oh, and just to add that I won't be spending tons of money on white jeans. At least for my lifestyle (think kids with goopy hands), they tend to only last one or two summer seasons, max.

julijuli

As a Seattlelite I have to add that we don't get 300 days of rain - it's actually more like 168 days per year. Seattle actually gets less rain than many other cities (like some in Florida) - we just don't have that many sunny days!

Nicole

Veteran

Inge, i was doubtful too, but I wore my white jeans a lot last year. Spring is ideal for white jeans--because you're just dying to get out of your winter gear, but the temps can fluctuate or still be chilly. Thats when I break out my white jeans--when my mind is telling me it's time to lighten up my clothes, but my body still needs some warmth. I also wore them in the summer, at night, when it is a bit cooler than midday.

I am reluctant to buy a pair online--so I'm holding off for them to arrive in stores. I have not seen them yet.

Becky

Veteran

Inge, I think your climate sounds perfect for white jeans. On those days in summer when it's cooler and gloomy, the denim adds enough warmth while providing a summery look.

bella

(website)

Veteran

This is a great topic Inge. I feel the same way about white jeans and reading everyone's opinions was very informative.

Also, I didn't know you lived in Belgium! Since you talked about speaking Dutch, I always assumed that you lived in Holland. I spent a year in Wallonie when I was in high school as part of an exchange program. I loved my host family (and I'm still in touch with them), I love Belgium and consider it my second (actually now third!) home.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I hope you're encouraged, Inge.

Anonymous

I'm another one who wasn't sure I'd wear white jeans, but I've loved them and they were in constant rotation last summer and I mourned them when I had to put them away for the winter.
You might see if you can find some cream jeans to try the look. These I wear all year, although not as much in the winter. Still, nothing brightens like white.

marianne

I love the look of white jeans and I might get a pair of skinnies or straight legs this spring - I don't want to deal with the hems getting dirty the second I step outside. I also don't think I would wear them a lot if I lived in a place like NYC and had to commute on public transportation. Of course, I did take a bus to work last year in my white clams, but Seattle is relatively clean, and again, hems were not an issue. Angie probably wouldn't agree but I kind of keep thinking they work best for car commuters. And yes, kids are also a big hazard.

That's funny, Patience, for me 77F is too hot for jeans

shana

Veteran

I used to wear white pants all the time (like in the photo of the ill fitting post-pregnancy pair in the hoodie post) in the summer. I really like the idea of white on the bottom and always have a couple of white skirts in my summer rotation as well. Like Inge, I guess I always thought that white jeans would be too warm for summer but seeing so many ladies on this forum rock white denim bootcuts, they are definitely on my list for this year.

Ariadne

Veteran

I'm really skeptical about white jeans for myself--I've never worn them, and I can't remember ever seeing anyone wear them in Vancouver either, but that might be just because I haven't been attuned to them. They just seem so impractical to me. I do love the way they look on you, Tanya, and I can see how they'd be a great option for summer nights. I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for an inexpensive pair with a high (9"+) rise in straight, skinny, boot-cut, or clamdigger styling this year and if I find some, I'll give 'em a go.

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

I wore my white skinnies a lot last summer. Five years ago (wow, that long ago!) I wore white jeans for the first time when I flew here to TX to visit my then friend, now husband. I bet climate and location has a lot to do with it.
Now that I live here, I plan on having at least two pair in rotation.
And hopefully a white denim skirt in addition to my white clams.

Inge

(website)

Thanks everyone for weighing in on this. I think you might be right, I'm just not very used to seeing myself in light bottoms.
I'm not going actively looking for a pair yet (I need dark-wash jeans more urgently), but you never know what I'll come across while shopping for other jeans;-)

I'd love to come visit you in Austin Patience, I might even brave your hot temperatures for that!

Bella: a year in Wallonië, wow! It's a beautiful green region, isn't it! Be sure to let me know if you go visit your host family. I'd love to meet you.
By the way: Dutch is also the official language of Belgium (along with French and German).

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

For what it's worth, I found my second pair of white jeans. They're COH Hutton (High rise) bootcut. I discovered that I do better with a higher rise, and these jeans fit so nicely. I did go up a size because I wasn't entirely comfortable with the fit in the thighs. I imagine if they stretch too much, I could have the waist taken in.
http://www.shopbop.com/hutton-.....shopbysize
I'm really happy with these, and thank Tanya and everyone for encouraging me to try on various pair. These are wide leg, but they fit similar to a trouser on me (possibly because I did go up a size).
So if you're looking for some more options to try, give the COH Huttons a whirl.

Tanya

Veteran

I am so happy for you Sarah! You found your pair! I have COH Huttons in navy twill and I love them, I hope you will yours too. Can't wait for the photos.

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

Oh good, Tanya! I love the fit of these, especially the length since I won't have to have them hemmed. /laziness!!
Hopefully the sun will peak out one of these days so I won't feel strange wearing white jeans in February. I tried on about six pair in all, and hands down these were the best.
Nicole, these might be great for you, too.

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Sarah, what other brands of white jeans did you try, and what did you think of them? Did you go to Nordstrom to try them all?

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Sarah

(website)

Veteran

No, Laura. I went to a local boutique that carries several different brands. I tried on two pair of 7FAMS. I also went to Banana Republic and tried on their white jeans. I was able to find these great-fitting COHs for less than half of retail - that helped! The boutique carries a lot of Nordstrom brands, though: William rast, Joe's, J Brand, COH, 7FAM, etc.
I have some 7FAM high waisted boot cut jeans in dark denim and I LOVE those. But the white ones were too tight on my thigh and the rise seemed a bit shorter than the denim ones. The BR jeans gave me cottage cheese thighs (which I swear I don't have).

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Sarah, you absolutely do not have cottage cheese thighs! Now I won't bother with BR Thanks for the review. After hopefully shedding those 5 lbs we've been discussing, I'm going to try a bunch too. In Chicago, we're a couple of months behind you in terms of white jeans weather.