With summer on the way, it’s time to think about updating your white denim.
A pair of white jeans for women can be the perfect way to add some extra style and a feeling of freshness to your outfits.
How to wear white jeans
While denim trends may change, white jeans are a style staple every summer.
Before I look at the best white jeans to choose, first here are a few tips on wearing white jeans.
1. check they aren’t see-through.
Okay, I know this is an obvious one. But, sometimes when we are looking in the mirror at home or the store changing room, we concentrate on our front view.
Make sure that your underwear isn’t showing through from behind.
2. white jeans are for any season
The old saying used to be that you shouldn’t wear white after Labor Day.
But, this “style rule” has fallen by the wayside. There’s no reason you can’t rock a pair of white jeans during winter.
3. Make sure the fit is perfect
White, more so than black denim, for example, does tend to emphasize if the fit of your jeans isn’t quite right.
So, try on as many pairs as you need to make sure yours are the right ones for you.
Want to see how to wear white pants in general? Check our extensive guide on how to wear white pants and see lots of examples!
Here are the some of the best white jeans available in stores right now
Just as with blue denim, or any color denim for that matter, there are so many different styles of white jeans to choose from, that you are sure to find the perfect match for you to fit and flatter your figure.
white skinny jeans
White skinny jeans are a style staple which will look great tucked into boots for transitional dressing. If you have great legs, but feel self conscious about your tummy area, you can always wear with a tunic.
NYDJ is one of my favorite denim brands. The Ami Ankle Skinny Jeans promise to flatten your tummy with the brand’s lift-tuck technology.
“The optic white color will be great for summer. Nice fabric, not stiff or uncomfortable. Washed well, although I always hang to dry. Stuck to my usual NYDJ sizing, and they fit. Would buy again.” – midwestbutterfly
white cropped jeans
A pair of white cropped jeans can be an incredibly stylish option for spring and summer.
It’s unlikely you will go from wearing long jeans and boots straight to shorts and sandals. Showing off a little bit of ankle is a great way to start to reveal a little bit of skin as the weather warms up.
Plus, for many women, the ankle can be the slimmest part of the body, so it can be really flattering to show it off.
You can try on a few pairs to see which one is most flattering. This will generally be if the crop ends at the slimmest part of your leg.
My favorite style is a cropped, flared jean.
off white jeans
If white is, well, too white, either because of the reason I talk about below when looking at winter white jeans, or because you feel an ivory suits your skin tone better than a bright white, you can always look for a pair of off-white jeans which are more of a cream, or which have pink, beige or gray undertones.
Citizens of Humanity Ankle Cigarette Jeans
winter white jeans
What’s the difference between a summer white, and the kind of winter white it’s deemed okay to wear after Labor Day?
Well, really, the only difference is fabric. You won’t want to be wearing a thin pair of linen pants when the weather turns cold. That’s why white jeans can be worn all year round – because the fabric is pretty thick and should keep you fairly warm.
The only time I’d avoid white jeans is when you are worried about your jeans getting splashed as you walk because it is particularly rainy, or if what was nice crisp white snow has now turned to brown slush as it melts.
You could opt for a more nuanced white than the whites of summer. Something with a subtle touch of gray or beige to create an outfit which is more at home on an overcast day.
These jeans by Lafayette are also waxed, which gives them more of a cooler weather feel.
Lafayette 148 NY Waxed Denim Slim Leg Jeans
white bootcut jeans
While bootcut fell out of favor for a few years as skinny jeans seemed to be the only style on trend, they are definitely making a comeback, and can be a very flattering shape.
Bootcuts are great for so many different body shapes. They can add balance to your figure if you are a pear shape, for example, or create curves if you are a rectangle.
When worn with a bit of a heel, they can be very lengthening.
Check out this article for more ideas on how to dress the pear shape.
high rise white jeans
A high rise is not only on trend right now, but it can help you if you want to tuck in your tummy a little, or disguise a muffin top.
I definitely prefer a high rise rather than the kind of low rise jeans worn by Brittany Spears in the 90s!
These ones from Good American have a high rise and a straight leg. They’re also made with the brand’s signature gap-proof waistline, which can be particularly good if you have curves.
If you are an hourglass or a pear shape, or example, it can be tricky to find jeans which fit at both the hips and the waist. This is because if you find the right fit for curvy hips, they can gape at the waist.
“I always thought I would have to settle with my jeans never fitting perfectly, until I found these. I’m ordering another pair tonight. Buy them!” – julmk
Good American High Waist Ankle Straight Leg Jeans
white wide legged jeans
Wide-legged pants are definitely back in style for 2019, after what seemed like season-upon-season of skinny jeans.
This is great news if you are looking to create the illusion of longer legs. If you tuck your top in to your jeans and wear a pair of heels underneath, you can make your legs look like they go on for miles.
They can also be great for balancing out your figure, or for giving yourself more shape. If you are a rectangle body shape, they can create the illusion of curves. While, if you are an inverted triangle, you can wear a wider pair of pants in a light color to balance out your wider shoulders.
Check out my tips here on wide legged pants: how to wear them in 2019 and where to buy the best ones.
Prefer blue jeans? Check out article on the best fitting jeans
What to wear with white jeans
Really, it might be easier to answer what not to wear with white jeans, because there are so many different ways you can wear them.
They look beautiful worn with taupes and metallics for spring and summer, but you can also wear with black booties for winter – although I’d balance this out with a darker top. You could wear your white skinnies with tan or gray knee-length or over the knee boots.
You could wear with other pastels or neutrals, as shown below by Carole.
You can tuck in your casual tee shirts, you can wear with tunics or you can opt for a more formal top and heels for an evening out.
They are particularly great for summer vacation wear. But, I also love to wear white jeans during winter as this adds an unexpected element to your outfit.
The possibilities for white jeans are endless. They really are one of the hardest working pieces in your closet.
9 A capsule wardrobe featuring white jeans
What do you think are the best white jeans for women? What are your favorite brands? how do you style your white jeans?
Like this article on the best white jeans for women over 40? Share it on Pinterest
Feature image by @carolem_beauty
Hi,
The best white jeans I have found are Old Navy High Rise Secret Slim Pockets White Rockstar jeans. They are light weight fir summer and fit like a dream. They have built-in tummy control too. They come in a lot of colors.
Thanks for the feedback Cathy!
Hi there,
I love getting your newsletter- so full of ideas and well put together. Thank you so much for this.
I notice most of the models you use have lovely flat tummies. The reality though for most of us over 40 is that we don’t have flat tummies anymore and I think we need to be more ok with this! It would be great to see some models with rounded tummies to see how you dress to camouflage that (or ignore that!), and well, just to make the ideas more relatable to those of use who are more rounded in this area and help make it ok to look like this.
Thanks
Leanne
I would like that too but this why we are limited with that. Read more on that at https://40plusstyle.com/fabulous-40-plus-women/ We do feature women that use the #40plusstyle tag on instagram though and I encourage all women of all shapes, colors and size to use it so we can feature a variety of women over 40 here.
I struggle with white jeans. Every year I try though! My issue is that I have bigger/athletic thighs. At 51, they are not as smooth as they used to be, and it’s really tricky to find a white jean to look Flattering and not accentuate this flaw (dimples) Maybe a wider leg? thicker fabric? Any suggestions? I love this blog! Thanks Sylvia!
It’s best to go for models that skim the skin rather than hug it. Yes a thick enough fabric will help with this too. It will take some effort finding them but the perfect white pants are out there for you Christine!