Should I give up on.... - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Should I give up on....

Deborah

Veteran

... white jeans!!

Fabbers,

I have 2 pairs of white jeans and 1 pair of white slim leg pants. Of the jeans, 1 pair is a straight leg, and the other is a skinny (not sausage skinny).

I took Master 11 to the movies tonight and I thought I would try wearing white jeans. Well! I tried each pair, tried numerous tops but just couldn't get it happening. The outfits looked OK but seemed to really lack something. They just didn't have that subtle edge I like.

Should I keep trying with them? Or should I just accept my white bottoms just don't make me happy?

Do you have any ideas or inspiration for edging up white jeans? I do have a Pinterest board on white jeans outfits but I think it's a bit all over the place.

http://www.pinterest.com/dagates/white-jeans/

Is there hope? Anyone else who find white jeans just don't do it for them?

xxx Deborah

Dressing

34 replies

Latest reply was from lyn67

Astrid

Veteran

Yes. I never got all the love for them and I never wanted to put in the effort to make them work for me. I just don't like the look enough and it doesn't mesh naturally with my style. They can look good on others, but they're not for me. So I say don't feel bad if you decide to stop wearing them.

kkards

Veteran

don't give up! try them during the fall/winter…..because it looks like all of your pins are fall/winter outfits.

gryffin

Veteran

Please make sure you are sitting and put your head between legs. Remover all sharp objects. Is your tray table up and locked and your seat back in the upright position? Okay, so I bought a pair of white jeans. I have not worn them yet. Ornella made me do it.... http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....me-wear-it Are you there Ornella? It's your fault! Just saying!! I thought Ornella looked amazing. I have a VC black duster, with Jcrew jackie shell, embellished black belt and EF coax booties I thought it might work well. I bought the Kut dianas that everyone has for a slouchy skinny look. I would only wear white pants with all black. OTOH, you were asking about the EF merino cropped sweaters I bought in pearl and black. I love the black. I'm not comfortable in the pearl, it's too light a gray without enough texture. The color is good, the style perfect, but I'm not sure I'll become comfortable in it. I'm going to give it a couple of more wears but if I'm not happy I'll donate. I was so careful selecting it and it ticks every box. My rule, life it too short to wear stuff that makes you unhappy or not feel good. Satisfy yourself one way or another. Good yeah!! Bad - donate, consign you know what to do. Chalk it up to an exeriment that may or may not work out but now you know if it does. It's hard to "waste" the money but rather that than feeling bad seeing it or wearing it. Good luck and I'll update you on how I do when it's warm enough to put jeans on!!

This post has 6 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

trekkiegirl

Veteran

Looking at your style, it seems you like a lot of drapey things, but your pins are all, well, not drapey. Maybe you aren't sticking with what's comfortable to begin with and that's why it doesn't feel right?

Also I noticed a very monochromatic pattern in your outfits. Did you try that with the white pants? Maybe a simple white tee, the soft grey waterfall vest /cardi I saw, your white booties, and if you must have color, the snow leopard scarf would look great! (maybe not with that particular cardigan, but I'm pretty sure I saw another less voluminous soft grey cardigan too)

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I understand. I have a pair of white jeans, and a pair of cream, and I have to make myself wear them. I feel like they look ok, but not amazing. Part of it is my slight discomfort with extra visual emphasis on my lower half, but part of it is that it doesn't totally mesh with my style, which skews towards darker colors. I have to be a) feeling pretty good about my body (like, not right now, post-holidays and when I'm in a down time in my biking/running routine), and b) in the right mood.

I doubt I'll get rid of mine anytime soon because they're classic and I do get the whim from time to time to change things up from my predictable dark denim routine, but I doubt white jeans will ever be something I wear weekly. And that's ok!

viva

Veteran

I guess it would be easier to give feedback if there were pics of the outfits that didn't quite work for you. I really love your pins and Gryffin's, and I can easily picture you in some of these outfits -- the drapey poncho on top, the long duster .... Like Gryffin I would expect to see you in all black (or shades of black and grey) with the white jeans, with a tough bootie on the bottom. I'd love to see one of your attempts ...

This is making me want to pull out my white jeans today. Haven't worn them in ages.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I love your pins, but the bottom line (so to speak) is that if you don't feel like wearing them you shouldn't. I mean why?

Anonymous

I hear you. I don't feel the love of them either. To be brutally honest - I don't find them particularly flattering on many women . The eye goes right to the thigh and crotch - not good. Let's face it : white draws attention and highlights the body part on which it's worn. I also think it's hard to have a white outfit skew edgy and sophisticated UNLESS all the right pieces are in place (Angie's white-out look, for example - which are not just a bunch of white pieces thrown together ). I have two pair of white jeans too , one bf and one skinny and they are not the first things I reached for during the summer. One silhouette I DID like with my white skinny jeans was with a very long Equipment silk shirt worn untucked and flowing. High heels worn with this look too. I felt I needed the visual height and movement to make me feel good.

I dunno - am I saying anything useful here ?

Helena

Veteran

Deborah, I am sure you would look amazing in them - but if they don't FEEL good, then what's the point? There is no law that says, thou shalt wear white jeans!

Why not tuck them away for a while, and see if you feel inspired to pull them out at some point? They might be just the thing to change up a favorite outfit ... but putting a lot of pressure and work into it sounds like a sure way to feel more self-conscious and less comfortable about them ... I also like the monochromatic suggestion, such as wearing with a drapey gray top.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

If possible, I would like to see the white jeans outfits that don't make you happy.

Also Debs, you've been wearing Hard Edge Black-Out virtually daily for a couple of years. It makes complete sense that wearing white jeans is going to be a shock to your system. White jeans are very bright. And black is the least bright colour. White jeans are 100% out of your comfort zone at the moment.

Should you persevere - that's up to you. If you feel like adding a softer and more graphic streak to your style - I think it's worth trying again, with less contrast. Combine lighter greys with white instead of black. That will create a slimmer vertical line, and be less visually and emotionally jarring to start off with. Hope that makes sense. xo

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I haven't worn my cream BR jeans much either. In fact, I think I've worn them two times. I don't even know why. I don't necessarily feel like they make me look big. I love cream/off white typically. I am a "jeans" gal all the way. So what's the issue? Eye adjustment maybe?

shedev

Veteran

My white jeans are winter white. I'm a low contrast dresser, so I wear them with my blues and greys.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Angie speaks sense. So does gryffin. You may have to experiment to find out who is making the most sense for you right now.

The first time I wore white jeans I was convinced that everyone was staring at my whale-like thighs. The second time I felt the same.

Then I forgot about it. I now find white jeans a snap to wear. But I like light neutrals and like the freedom light jeans give me from worrying overmuch about spills, stains, etc. The fabrication makes white possible in my casual lifestyle -- whereas white wool, for instance, would be much trickier. Jeans go in the wash, so I don't have to worry.

I do think Angie's right -- a lower contrast look makes it easier to let go of that initial self-consciousness. White is very bright, very advancing. Worn with contrast, especially so.

That said, lower contrast might make you feel too "soft edge" and that's not your thing. So why force yourself? The higher contrast looks that gryffin posted may seem more "you."

The only real reason to push it would be if you want to wear denim for reasons of practicality and you don't particularly want to wear blue denim and can't find grey or black denim that you like. OR if you are craving the variety that a light/ bright neutral could bring. If it's a true craving, then persevere, because it will work once you find the right combo.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Another thought -- for your summer -- how about white BF shorts/ clams vs. full length jeans? That might make them easier.

Again, our styles are quite different, but for myself -- my white SHORTS/ clams are among my most worn summer items. White jeans are worn less. Why? Partly because I think I like a bit of skin with my extreme neutrals on either end! With black, for sure -- I always prefer black outfits that show a bit of skin. And also to some degree with white.

Food for thought.

Mona

Veteran

Try experimenting with a few different tops and see if you start to like them more. I can see how a pair of white jeans would be totally out of your comfort zone. I am at the opposite end from you. I look at your outfits and think she looks gorgeous in head to toe black but on myself all black (actually any dark neutral including navy and chocolate brown unless there are big doses of white in the outfit) makes me so unhappy that I have decided never to wear these colours in an outfit.

Catnip

Veteran

I also have two pairs of white jeans. I bought them when everyone else was buying them, and I've styled them every way I can possibly think of... with all white, with black, with a bright color, and on and on. I even bought white shoes to wear with them, even though I've never really liked white shoes. They fit perfectly, but I don't like them. Last summer I wore each pair once, and only because I felt guilty.
The fact is I am a size larger on the bottom than on the top. I always have been, even when I weighed only 103 pounds. Wearing a very pale color on the bottom just makes me look out of proportion. I'm not fat, and why in the world I thought I should wear something that makes me look fat is beyond me. This is the last time I'm going to buy something I know isn't right for my body, no matter how trendy the item is.
Lesson learned!!! I'm donating the white jeans, and the white shoes.
Deborah, thank you for bringing this up and for giving the courage to admit my mistake.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Suz makes a good point about shorts/clams vs. full-length jeans. I don't wear white jeans much in summer because our climate is generally too warm for full-length jeans, but my knee-length cut-off white jean "shorts" (sized up Gap jeans bought on big sale) did get worn a fair amount this summer. But my summer outfits are a little lighter in color in general, so it makes sense.

I have a practicality angle in my slight white jeans aversion too -- my studio is in a 100+ year old building in the heart of a city. Dirt and grime are inevitable. Oh yeah, and dogs. Little dirty paw prints are less obvious on dark bottoms.

rachylou

Veteran

Deb, do you wear jeans?

ElleH

Veteran

Angie is the Master so listen to her before me. You have light hair so she is probably right. Before I read her response I was going to suggest black with white. I wear black leather moto & black boots or leather ash sneaks or pumps & feel better than when I wear light colours with it. It is more edgy as you said you prefer but for me I think it is the high contrast my dark hair & light skin prefer. Your hair is low contrast to your skin though.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Excellent points made here Deb:

- try lower contrast top with the white jeans
- try white shorts/clams as opposed to full length jeans
- if you don't want to wear them, then don't

As Angie tells us, have fun with fashion and if trying to wear white jeans doesn't seem fun, then why do it?

catgirl

Veteran

I love gryffin's suggestions (and those BOOTS! You may have awoken the sleeping Boot Dragon). You know my struggles with white - drapey grey tee and silver belt or black or citron UWP sweater have been my only toppers. I have ripped white BFs and ivory ON skinnies. They do not come out to play often.

Alassë

Veteran

Seconding Transcona Shannon's summary. I'll be interested to hear your thoughts!

Deborah

Veteran

Thanks for your input! Just to be clear, there is no stress or angst attached to this;). As many will know I have really streamlined and minimized my wardrobe and I just don't want to keep things I don't wear. I am also on holiday at the moment and am working through a list of mini household projects and this is one of them. Having read your thoughts and suggestions - you guys are brilliant - here is where I am at:

and Rachy, yes I do wear jeans but almost exclusively a skinny. I have dark blue wash, mid grey and of course black:).

LisaP, yes pefect sense, you expressed much of how I feel.

- I am going to try and put some outfits together today

- I think I will concentrate on Autumn outfits, (thanks KKards) as I am more
drawn to the white jeans look with cool weather pieces. I am at peace with
not liking them for summer.

- I realize/acknowledge that I generally like a full length jean and that lends
itself more to the cooler seasons. I have no desire to roll or cuff;)

- I acknowledge that part of the problem is feeling "big" in them:(

- clams and shorts, while a great idea, are not items I want to wear. I confess
that I don't like either - they look fab on many fabbers but I don't like
them for me.

- I do prefer high contrast (waving at Gryffin) so while I will try some grey, I
think to feel like me it's going to have to be black.

- Big revelation for me here is the footwear. When I ruminated on this last
night I realized my footwear is often where my eye rests unhappily. I have
white ankle boots but don't like the white boots, white pants line on me. I
have had grey ankle boots on my wishlist for a couple of years now and
wonder if that might be a better option for white jeans footwear. Need to
think on this more.

Thanks ladies, will be playing today xxx

unfrumped

Veteran

I don't know, but light-colored pants are hard.
Have you thought about a deep color such as your great red, or burgundy, or cobalt? I can't recall if you have anything like that.

Aziraphale

Veteran

I don't understand what all the fuss is about white jeans. Sure, they're nice, but I don't understand what makes them different from any of the other solid-colour jeans options out there. One of the things I like about traditional denim fabric is that there are blue threads that go in one direction, and white threads in another, giving that beautiful subtle texture. You don't get that with white jeans or coloured jeans. They just look like solid-colour twill pants to me.

I suspect part of the reason that there's a huge pro-white jeans movement on this forum is because Angie, bless her, LOVES white jeans. They are certainly dressier than regular jeans, which is one thing Angie goes for with her style. And it totally works for her.

Plus, white jeans can look very crisp and summery, if that appeals to you.

As for me, I'll probably give white jeans a pass because they are too 'pretty' for my style. The only way I'd try them is if they had holes, to 'rough them up' a bit. (And never mind the fact that I can't keep white pants clean!).

Bottom line: if you can't make white jeans work for you, don't sweat it. But if you really like them, keep trying!

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I found some lighter-weight boyfriends last summer & I love them for really casual wear. That said I'm smaller on the bottom so lighter bottoms & darker tops feel right to me. As others have said the key is whether you want to persist with this look

Carla

Veteran

Why not under your orange dress? or your black and white kimono?

Marley

Veteran

Deb - the only white jeans I feel comfortable wearing are distressed white jeans. The distressing (subtle distressing) brings my own style into the outfit and keeps me from feeling too precious, fresh, or crisp! (Three style descriptors that I don't aspire to!)

Deborah

Veteran

One thing I forgot to add is that heels are a must for me if wearing white jeans as they totally stumpify me otherwise:)

Carla good thinking re the kimono jacket. That is a definite possibility. Will try.

Marley you made me laugh. I don't aspire to precious, fresh or crisp myself

12