The Ultimate White Jeans and How to Style Them
Meet the two-legged cheat code to looking chic.
As a self-proclaimed klutz, I have an unofficial style rule that I won’t spend more than $150 on anything white. I’ve learned the hard way that it only takes one too-loose spaghetti twirl and its subsequent splatter to render my starkest items completely unwearable. Besides, even if I woke up one day and suddenly became the epitome of grace, I don’t think there’s any amount of bleach that could undo the havoc wreaked by NYC humidity.
When it comes to pieces that are especially vulnerable to spills and sweat (e.g. T-shirts), I stand my ground with this guideline. But there’s one category where I’m willing to make an exception: white jeans. I have yet to encounter sub-$150 denim that doesn’t pretty much immediately stretch out, and for me, there’s no point in wearing jeans once the knees pucker or the bum sags. Fit is kind of the whole thing when you’re dealing with such a simple essential.
Sure, I could avoid white jeans, but where’s the fun in that? Few other garments can match their ability to make any outfit look crisp, fresh, and effortlessly chic. So far, I’ve actually managed to keep both of my two pairs clean (knock on wood!). In my experience, it’s much easier to maintain white pants than white tops, since you can cover your lap with a napkin while eating, and your bottom half doesn’t really suffer from the effects of sweat. Just avoid sitting on questionable subway seats (which is generally good life advice anyway), and you’re golden.
If your closet is currently white-jeans-less, let me point you to my favorite pair, the Milo. Made from our Better Than Denim fabric, this super popular wide-leg silhouette has the ideal mix of stretch and structure, and the adjustable hems are absolutely game-changing when you’re faced with puddle-ridden city streets. It’s a subtle difference, but I also notice that our slightly warm shade of bright ivory conceals the natural yellowing that happens to stark white clothing over time.
In terms of styling, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a piece in your closet these jeans don’t look good with, but to get you started on your white jean journey, I put together 10 ways I’m wearing my Milos right now.
Shop all the outfits from this story here.
Prefer a straight-leg silhouette? Try the Daria jean instead.
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Outfit 1
This is the type of look I have on regular rotation throughout the summer months: a pant that’s not tight but still has structure, an interesting knit, and flats or sandals that are walkable but look elevated (my Birkenstocks are reserved for off-the-clock activities). You’ll find that when paired with polished counterparts, the Milo jean takes on a trouser-like quality that’s entirely office-appropriate if your dress code is business casual.
Outfit 2
Occasionally, I will brave an all-white outfit—and splurge on a white shirt if it’s extra special. Pieces like an expertly cut button-down or the intricately knit Charli top are two examples of high-quality pieces that are well worth investing in and hide minor stains since they’re not solidly stark white. Here, I styled my Milos with the Charli, a pair of matching Mary Janes from Vagabond, and a citrus belt that serves as a fun way to break up this otherwise monochromatic palette.
Outfit 3
If the last look was my most-worn outfit formula for warm-weather workdays, this is my go-to for summer Saturdays. I once called the Milo jean a cure for hangovers (along with copious amounts of water, coffee, and Tylenol, of course), and I stand by it. A non-sweatpant has a unique ability to make you feel like a new woman when you’re not feeling 100%—fake it ‘til you make it, right? Feel free to keep the rest of your look super low-key; my lazy-morning uniform involves the perfectly relaxed Leslie T-shirt, Adidas Sambas, and a baseball cap when my hair is particularly uncooperative.
Outfit 4
If the weekend involves something social, I’ll swap the T-shirt for a top that looks a bit more styled. Here, I wore my Milos with a smocked top I got from Everlane years ago (similar: Katrina top), plus a playful pearl necklace (similar: Etsy) and my white Birkenstocks, which are easy to slip off if I’m hanging out at someone’s apartment or in the park.
Outfit 5
Sadly, my big trip of the year is already behind me, so some transportive styling is as close as I’ll get to being back in Italy this summer. I always pack my Milos for vacation, so they’re a no-brainer as my base, serving as a blank canvas for my modern Roman Holiday fantasy. Here, I’ve paired them with the charming Giada top, the sky blue Carter slides, some gold earrings I got in Mexico City circa 2019 (similar: Etsy), and a vintage Gucci scarf (similar: Etsy) that I did, in fact, pick up in Rome back in April.
Outfit 6
Back to reality: I’ve been busy lately, and I find that if I’m going directly from my desk to a work event or a dinner date, I like to incorporate dark colors, a layer, and a (moderately) heeled shoe. With its black background, slinky jersey material, and cowl neck, the Nora top makes the Milos a bit more evening-y; a lightweight cardigan is necessary insurance against overly aggressive A/C; and heeled sandals instantly dress the whole thing up.
Outfit 7
For a more formal iteration of the above, I’ll swap the cardigan for my Interweave Lilia jacket, a black camisole (similar: the Lisey), and the sharp Lana boots.
Outfit 8
“Don’t wear white after Labor Day” is outdated and, quite frankly, stupid advice. When you confine this crisp color to the summertime, you drastically inflate the potential cost-per-wear of your white items and miss out on all the freshness the shade has to offer your cool-weather wardrobe. If you’re afraid of looking seasonally out of place, just make sure to ground your palette in dark or earthy tones. To keep wearing my Milo jeans well into the winter, I plan to pair them with pieces like the turtleneck Jett tank, the camel Nicky jacket, a black belt, bold gold earrings, and a pair of leopard-print mules from Nordstrom.
Outfit 9
For a more casual layered look, I might go with a light T-shirt like this one from Imogene + Willie, which has a fun graphic that ties in well with black pairings. I leaned into a Western vibe here, accessorizing with our Everly belt, some cowboy-inspired ankle boots (similar: Khaite), and a vintage oversized denim jacket (similar: Levi’s). I can’t wait to wear this look once NYC finally dips below 70 degrees.
Outfit 10
This is another look I foresee myself wearing come less sweltering months. The Tully top is thick and cozy, while its checkmate pattern packs a punch and does away with the need for any complicated accessorizing. I can see myself wearing this with a set of sculptural Mejuri hoops and my black loafers from Franco Sarto when I need to get ready for work in mere seconds.
Shop all the looks from this story here.
