Jumping White Over The Hurdle

White denim—she’s the rockstar, the vixen in your closet. Elusive though she may be, don’t let her outfox you. She only looks intimidating. Fearing matcha mishaps and makeup memories left behind? No worries—learn her tricks, and she’ll give you her craven heart.

Straight Leg

She plays nicely with others, and is one of the easiest styles to wear—a good transition point for those who are having a hard time kissing their skinnies goodbye. She keeps stride with your blazer and pairs just as well with a kitten heel as she does with a sneaker. The Khaite Callum deserves all the hype she receives; it’s no wonder celebs and mere mortals, alike, pray at her pyre. The Row offers a slightly cropped version—a girl can always dream, can’t she?

Kick Flare | Cropped

The darling of summer. Always flirty and beach ready, she’s easy and breezy. Not loving your upper arms? Bare those ankles with abandon. She’s charming with a flat and perfect with a kitten heel. Throw her on with a blazer or a sweater tied loosely over your shoulders. Dress her down with a front-tucked sweatshirt and a sneaker. She’s that girl. Frame and Mother have been perfecting her for years—tried and true, they’ll rarely steer you wrong.

Wide | Barrel Leg

A show stopper, she plays deceptively hard to get, but she’s actually quite easy—just don’t tell her that. Scene stealer that she is, she requires little additional effort or adornment—think simple light-weight sweater, tee shirt, or button-down. Pair her with a pointed sling back—divine. Cool summer night? No worries, she’s purrs underneath a trench. And I definitely play favorites, here. A horse of a different color, there is nothing like the Citizens Horseshoe. Try her; you won’t regret it. I like her once; I like her twice. You can’t go wrong with the AGolde Long Loose or the Frame Palazzo either. With a cream sweater, belt, and a little jaunty cuff that is on the verge of coming undone and just a little bit off? Yeah, perfection in her imperfection.

Skinny

We must acknowledge her and give her due. She ruled with an iron fist for many years, and dare I say, she will rise again from the ashes? She will. Wear her with care—too skinny, too tapered, and she will timestamp the whole look. But don’t write her off; she’s a phoenix.

Boyfreind

Delightfully relaxed in summer. Cuff her most certainly—let a little skin show. Of course, she plays well with sneakers and flats, but you’d be surprised how well she cuts her teeth on a little bit of a heel. So easy. So perfect. I always reach for the Rag & Bone Dre. They’re the ideal boyfriend—the next best thing to leggings or sweats and heads and tails above the real McCoy—aka the actual boyfriend. Make them whisper weight for summer.

Shorts | The Short Cut

And for those delightfully bold enough to break all boundaries, let us present the white cutoff. She’s flirty, feminine, and raw—edged, of course.  Buy her a size or two up, so she rides low on the hips and isn’t too cheeky. With a muscle tee (think ATM) or tank, slides, and a duster? She’s a keeper.

Casting for the Right White Star (AKA Buying White Demin Basics)

One of my favorite jobs through the years was styling at E Street Denim, the Baskin Robbins of jeans—may it rest in peace. But alas, the keys to the kingdom are now locked, and short of giving up on jeans (I shudder—jeans are the backbone of my wardrobe), what’s a girl to do? If you follow a few simple tricks, you too can unlock the pearly gates and be ushered to the altar of the white denim gods, fickle though they may be.

The Fit File

White denim, more than her indigo sisters, will whisper all of your secrets—so fit reigns supreme. A few golden rules:

Rise and Shine

High-rise is your bestie if you want a clean line through the torso—especially with a tucked-in blouse or crop top. It cinches and lifts, flattering and elongating your derrière. Mid-rise—my siren, and frankly, a kinder, gentler god,—she’s a little more forgiving, less uptight, if you will. Mid-Rise—and even low-rise—these more relaxed soul sisters will give you a bit more room to breathe, and they lean toward a slightly more laid-back look—think boxy tees and lightweight summer knits. There isn’t one right rise. It’s really which rise do you feel most comfortable in, which one do you feel is more flattering on you? That is the white denim look you’ll reach for time and time again. And note, no one says you have to be a loyal lover—there’s room for more than just one rise in your heart and your closet.

Cropped VS Full-Length

Cropped (especially kick-flair or ankle-cut) keeps things breezy and works beautifully with ballet flats, flip flops, or a low-profile sneaker. Full-length styles—especially with a slight puddle or a wide leg—call for a pointed moment—a sandal with a heel or a mule. Think drape and movement and definition.

The Truth About White Demin

Less forgiving than her darker cousins, you’ll want her to skim, not strangle. Avoid styles that are too constricting—especially around the thighs, where whispering or puckering can appear. Look for a clean fall from the hip down. Like most denim, white jeans will give slightly with wear, so buy the pair that fits your waist snugly, but not so tight you fear sitting or your next meal. Always buy those that pull at your heart, but never at the zipper.

Undercover Style

Before unleashing them in the wild, white jeans require a test run for transparency. And if you can see the pocket outline through the fabric, you’ll see everything else, too. Don a nude thong or underwear so that the focus is on your assets for all the right reasons. Keep the mystery, keep them looking, but most of all, keep them guessing.