White Pants Dilemma- ETA Returned - YouLookFab Forum

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White Pants Dilemma- ETA Returned

Sadie

New here- and with a real dilemma. I bought white ankle jeans back in February (fortunately from Nordstrom's and fortunately still unworn with tags). They fit great, feel great, and will work with a number of things in my closet (so creating outfits- not a problem). However, I haven't worn them yet. My day-to-day life is very casual (think pets and family- which don't mix well with white jeans) and they are too casual with the kind of "going out" I do (business dinners or dressier restaurants).

What do you do when an item seems perfect- but you can't figure out how/when to wear it? Should I slink back to Nordstrom's and return the jeans? I am worried these jeans will become just something else that has come to my closet to die.

Dressing

15 replies

Latest reply was from Sadie

April

Veteran

I see that you returned them, Sadie, but I was going to try to convince you to wear them anyway, even if you fear they'd get dirty.

The beauty of white denim is it's washable. I have a casual life as well and do a lot of messy jobs like cooking and I live in my white jeans and white jean shorts all summer.

I've had white jeans ruined by shrinking but never by staining.

However, you have to do what works for you and it sounds like these weren't meeting your wardrobe goals. Onward!

Sadie

Thanks April. They have already languished 5 months. I tried them on a bit after I posted and on re-visit they seemed a bit "stiff" so I will see what else I can find.

Kim

Veteran

I'm the same as April, (and I have a very casual life, running a home childcare). What I LOVE about white denim is the fact that you can BLEACH them when they get stained. Can't say that about my light colored denim...Bleach has saved my white clothing more times than I can count...Why just last week I got a red candy stain (I was eating it, not the childcare kids! LOL) set in my pants while on a five hour drive. (Did I mention that I'm messy too?) A bit of bleach in the wash and VOILA! Good as new again! They are however usually one wear wonders though, because did I mention that I"m messy?? LOL

Sadie

Thanks Kim- it wasn't the care so much as I felt a bit "out of my element" in them- probably a good challenge for me but they were a bit pricey for a whim (and I'd already given away a very nice pair of white linen pants from BR in the fall!)

rabbit

Veteran

If I'm not excited about the idea of something with tags on it that's been lingering for awhile, I try it on one more time with a few complete outfits to give it a second chance, but if I'm still kind of questioning how often I'll wear it rather than loving it on me, I return it.

I figure if I want to try it again in the future I can buy something like it then. It's pretty clear though that I don't want to wear it now. (I'd make a note though for a white jean style, because they are tricky to find the one).

So far I've done a mix of on time returns and some way after the fact returns for store credit, and I've not regretted the returns and the credit has always been used soon after for something I do wear.

I actually went through something similar, but the pair of white jeans that finally worked would have been one of my most expensive clothing buys for the year. Then I found a pair of very pale gray washed skinnies that I loved more (and were 1/4 the price), and I tabled the whole white pants thing, pale pants work just fine in the same color combos and are more practical and flattering on me.

tricia w.

(website)

I'm a life style expert, (homemaker,) and I've been living in my white jeans this summer. My secret to keeping them white is oxi clean. I put a load of whites in the washer at night along with a scoop of oxi, and let them soak until morning, when I add detergent and wash them. By doing this, even evidence of my black berry picking was removed!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Echoing what the others have said. If they're not you, they're not you (and good for you for taking them back in that case). BUT -- white denim is actually way more practical than most white items. And it's super fun to wear....once you get used to it.

Sadie, what colour is your hair if I may ask? I have a theory that it can be a little bit easier for those with fair hair (blonde, grey, light brown, light red) to work white bottoms into rotation. Having said that, dark haired women can look amazing in them also.

I'm fair haired, but the first time I wore my white jeans out in public, I was so self-conscious I almost wanted to cover myself up! I felt like my thighs were huge flashing neon signs saying, "LOOK AT ME!!!" It was awful.

The next time I wore them was almost as bad. And the next.

And then, suddenly...I was used to them. And I hardly wanted to wear anything else! It helps that they were super comfy. And I took photos of myself in them and saw that they were actually quite flattering to me.

Sometimes something isn't right for us. Sometimes, it just takes our eyes a while to adjust.

Gigi

Veteran

I pretty much agree with what everyone else has said. If it is the practical concern alone about keeping them clean, I think I would still try them—at least in a less-expensive incarnation. White jeans are very popular now, so you should be able to find a relatively inexpensive pair. I have found that they help me a lot with my love of high-contrast dressing—all those dark tops look wonderful with the white bottoms. I normally have to throw the white bottoms in the wash after a single wear, because there's usually a spot or two on them, but that's OK. If there's anything more substantial for spots, I wet the fabric and put on some stain stick and let it sit till laundry day. Everything has always come out beautifully.

lisaflex

Veteran

do not use bleach on them! over time it will turn them yellow-ish
use Biz or Borax...first spray with stain remover, then add detergent and biz or borax to machine, then add white pants/jeans...let soak for a few hours...wash and use vinegar as a rinse agent....air dry and fluff in dryer...good as new!

crutcher

Veteran

I am with the others...I wish you had tried the white denim...I absolutely live in white jeans regular length, crops and skinnies...You just need to wash them so that they aren't stiff...wear them not feeling like you stand out and enjoy them...Maybe you will give this look a try next summer...

Sadie

Thanks for all your support!

Rabbit- they are returned but I think the best option for me is to look for an inexpensive (and hopefully softer and looser) pair to experiment with- maybe at Old Navy? I did that with cage sandals- bought an inexpensive pair to see how I'd feel wearing them.

Thanks also for the washing and wearing hints- I gravitate towards blue denim because it just doesn't show dirt and the white had concerned me (so much that I never wore them!)

Suz- my hair is light brown/blonde (thanks to my hairdresser!) so the white would definitely work with my coloring. When trying new styles I always feel I stand out and since I am pretty introverted, this is not a comfortable position for me. Baby steps though (ref cage sandals above).

Beth Ann

Veteran

Sounds like you have returned them -- perhaps to make room for another item that makes you happier? What are your favorite pair of trousers/jeans? Do you have a couple of goals for your style in this coming year?

Sadie

Beth Ann: it's hot where I live- part of the reason for not wearing them is: they aren't winter pants -I had purchased them in February, and in the summer it's just too hot for pants (shorts during the day, dresses if I go out at night). I actually have discovered I do like dresses more than I originally thought- my dresses are getting a lot more regular wear this year so that's a direction I think I want to move in right now (just got a few from Nordstrom's to try).

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Okay, then. I hear you. I am also an introvert and that is why I felt like I was wearing a neon sign when I first wore white bottoms. But honestly, you will adore them once you get used to the right pair. Like the cage sandals, I'm sure.

Oh - another thought. If jeans seemed like too much, denim shorts in white might be a bit easier to take. I wear them this length too and love them even more than the jeans. It's a bit less white all over. I also think a pair of loose linen pants in white might be a bit easier to adapt to. You don't get that feeling of snugness calling attention to the body.

BTW, I loved your comment on Elizabeth's thread about "retiring" clothes. That is brilliant.

Sadie

Suz- I did try the white linen boyfriend shorts from Gap but they were a bit too thin (the pockets were visible and looked like they might annoy me down the line) so I settled on light grey ones that will serve as not-quite-white. It's surprisingly hard for me (a woman-of-a-certain-age) to find shorts that are long enough- my days of 4-6" rise shorts are long past!

And thanks for the "retiring" comment- I am sentimental at heart so this helps me "let things go".