What to Wear with White Jeans

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There’s something about white jeans that looks so fresh. For me, they are a wardrobe staple. Although most people wear white jeans in the spring and summer, there is no longer a rule about wearing white jeans year-round. I love the versatility of white jeans and the endless ways you can style them. It doesn’t matter if you like straight-leg, skinny, or flare style jeans, white denim has a dressier look that elevates even a basic white tee. Read on for my tips for how to wear white jeans.

Can You Wear White Jeans Year-Round?

There is no longer a rule for when you can start wearing white jeans, but of course, it’s up to personal preference. I enjoy putting my white jeans in the back of my closet come late summer and taking them back out in the spring unless I’m planning a warm-weather vacation during the winter months.

Although white jeans are most popular in the spring and summer,  there are many people — especially in warmer, dryer climates — that wear white jeans year-round. If you opt to wear white jeans during the darker winter months,  I would pair them with seasonal colors - camel, olive green, navy blue, along with shades of cream, ivory, and warm taupes. I would also suggest using luxurious layers with some weight and texture, such as cashmere, and suede boots. Combine your layers with classic elements and you will definitely create a chic winter look. 

 I love the versatility of white jeans and how they can be dressed down with sneakers and then can be dressed up for date night with a silk blouse and a pair of sandals with a little heel. Top that with a lightweight coat while the weather is still cool in the spring. 

What Colors Work Best With White Jeans?

Black

You can wear just about any color with white jeans, but I love the stark contrast of black with white. It’s such a classic and sophisticated look. Wear this combination with black or nude sandals for more of a daytime look. If you want to dress it up, add some metallic sandals and gold jewelry or even a sandal with a pop of color. If you opt to wear white jeans in the winter, try a black turtleneck with a pair of black booties and a black leather jacket .

Monochromatic

Another favorite styling option is building an outfit out of shades of ivory, cream, sand, and white- a very sophisticated look that works beautifully with gold or nude sandals and gold jewelry. Black sandals would work as well. You can’t go wrong with these colors.

Navy

Navy with white can read a little nautical, which is also very classic. For a lunch or business casual meeting, a navy blazer with touches of camel and gold will add some weight to the look. 

Bold Colors

White jeans really make bold colors pop, and bold colors are trending at the moment.  Try pairing your jeans with an emerald green blouse, a pair of nude sandals, and some chunky gold hoop earrings. You will look chic and stylish!

Shoes to Wear with White Jeans

You can wear just about any shoe with white jeans, depending on the time of day and the time of year. However, I tend to stay away from white shoes because I think a nude, black, or bold-colored (or animal print) shoe anchors a white jean outfit. The exception would be if you’re wearing sneakers. Luckily there is such an array of sneakers available now, you can find something that isn’t stark white if you prefer. You could also wear white sneakers but break it up by wearing a cropped jean.

If you do wear white jeans year-round, I think booties — especially in taupe, pewter, and camel tones — are more elegant in the cooler months. These colors work year-round with white, but I also love metallic flats and sandals in the spring and summer. If the metallics are cooler your accessories should be cool as well, and if your shoes are gold or bronze, warm gold jewelry is the best choice. 

Tips for Styling White Jeans

I love white jeans, but wearing them can be tricky. Here are some important things to consider.

Fit

White in general is not a slimming fabric, so the fit of the jean is of utmost importance. Personally, I usually go up a size in white jeans because I don’t want them to be skin-tight. You don’t want them to be too baggy either. 

Fabrication

A jean with too much stretch tends to be a less-substantial fabric, which can be unflattering in a white jean. You will want to choose denim with more cotton in it, at least 95%.  This will provide a little stretch but not so much that the denim pulls and becomes transparent. That is not the look you want!

Shoes

Since white is not a slimming color, it’s important to consider other ways to create length in your white denim look. Your choice of footwear is a great place to add length. Whether you choose to wear flats or heels, a pointier toe creates a taller, leaner look. The exception for this would be when you’re wearing sneakers, so a narrower leg jean would look best with these shoes.

Accessory Color

White on white is a very chic look, especially paired with black, nude, or even a bold colored shoe. But white on white is a look that I reserve for warmer months, especially in the middle of summer. Wearing black, nude or red shoes (and maybe a belt) can anchor the all-white look. A straw bag can be a nice finishing touch. 

Balance and Proportion

You may want to wear a cropped denim jacket to emphasize your waist instead of wearing a hip-length jacket which may make you look wider. When you’re wearing a top with an option to tuck it in or out, be aware of whether or not you can see the shirt through your jeans when it’s tucked in. A good option would be to leave the shirt untucked, then tie it in the front and leave it longer in the back. It’s a  very chic way to wear it. 

How to Wear White Jeans

Outfits with white jeans can range from very casual weekend wear to an outfit you would wear to the office, or even a night out for dinner.

White Jean Outfit for Work

White jeans are a great option to a regular denim jean and create a more elevated look, especially when you’re looking for a '“business casual” look. The slingback shoe and the purse add a dressier feel and the gorgeous print blouse is a lovely pop of color that you can wear in so many ways this summer

How to Dress Up White Jeans

I added a flare leg jean here, you either love them or you don’t. Whatever your favorite style jean is will work in this ensemble. I love the contrast of the white/fuschia/black elements in this look and of course any color top would work here with the white jeans and black jacket. A beautiful silk camisole is one of my favorite tops for evening. The evening clutch would be an accessory you could use for years.

Summer Outfit with White Jeans

A favorite classic summer color combination that I wear on repeat is white and cream (or ivory, whatever you want to call it). It looks chic and effortless. I really love the monochromatic shades of cream and white in this outfit anchored with the rich, cognac colored crossbody bag and belt. The gold accessories add a subtle finishing touch.