I think it’s safe to say that the “no white after Labor Day” saying is an outdated fashion rule that many people do not follow. I’ve personally always thought that white jeans in the winter look very chic, if styled correctly. If you’ve been looking to style white jeans this winter, here are a few tidbits of advice on how wear them without looking like you’ve accidentally dressed for the wrong season.
I’ll admit, when it’s cold or gray outside, my outfits usually reflect that on some level. The result is typically an equally gloomy look, consisting of mostly black, including my lug sole boots. Although I recommend forgoing white jeans if it’s snowy or rainy – nobody wants see-though pants or slush on their white jeans – they’re a great way to perk up your outfit on a dry winter day.
SHOP MY OUTFIT: White Maje Coat (more affordable version here) | Tan Sezane Sweater | Madewell Jeans (similar here) | White boots (similar here)
Winter White Jeans Outfit Ideas
Monochromatic White Jeans Outfit
A monochromatic white outfit is probably the most common way to style white jeans in the winter, but it’s also the most complicated.
There are hundreds, if not thousands of shades of white out there. And you can go nuts trying to perfectly match every piece of your outfit. Unless something is sold as a set, there’s an extremely high probability your whites won’t match.
Save yourself the headache, and think in creams and ivories, and even tans to complement your white jeans instead of trying to make your entire outfit perfectly matchy-matchy. The range in shades of white will also add a little bit of dimension to your outfit so it doesn’t feel so flat.
PRO TIP: Stick to either all warm shades of white (with yellow undertones) or all cool shades of white (whites that feel a little blue or gray).
With Black
Black and white have always had a very special relationship in all aspects of design since they are opposites. The extreme contrast is fun, but also classic.
Black adds some dressed up flair to white jeans, particularly with a heeled boot, nice sweater, and a long coat.
With Rich Browns
If you love the idea of a contrast with your white jeans, but black feels too severe, try rich browns instead.
A classic faux fur coat or teddy coat with dark brown accessories will provided softer contrast than black and white.
With a Pop of Color
A pop of bright color in the winter isn’t just unexpected, it’s also fun. Try a colorful coat or cozy sweater in an amped up hue.
PRO TIP: Avoid looking like a rainbow and stick to 1-2 colors for a streamlined look.
Tips on Wearing White Jeans in the Winter
Choosing The Right White Jeans
If you’re just dipping your toes into the winter white waters, it can be overwhelming to choose your white jeans. I’m a big fan of a straight or slim leg jean, because this style will go with a lot of different winter footwear options, including sneakers, heels, and booties.
Technically any white jeans work in the winter, but I personally prefer my winter white jeans to be just the slightest touch of off-white. For me, jeans with a subtle warm or neutral undertone aren’t as bright as pure white jeans, and don’t look as jarring in the winter as the extra crisp version you’d wear in the summer. Look for color descriptions like ecru, canvas, ivory, and off-white.
I’m wearing Madewell’s Perfect Vintage Wide Leg Jean in Vintage Canvas, but here are a handful of other great, off-white jeans that I love:
Textures and Fabrics Are Uber Important
The key to wearing white jeans in the winter isn’t actually the jeans themselves, but what you wear with them. Textures, layers, and fabrics play an important role in creating a luxe, cozy outfit that matches the season.
Avoid lightweight, open knits, and summer fabric like linen (they won’t keep you warm, anyway) and lean into chunky knit sweaters, faux fur, leather, and wool coats.
On harsher winter days, embrace layering by pairing a few of these components together to keep you nice and toasty!
Keep It Simple
When in doubt, opt for neutral shades like cream, black, tan, or gray. They never go out of style for a reason, and you probably already have a lot of pieces in these colors in your closet.
Try to limit your variance of shades and colors to two or three. This will keep your look streamlined and intentional.
