Winter Is My Favorite Time to Wear This "Inappropriate" Denim Trend—See How I Style It
White jeans belong in January, not July.
I’ve always had a mild rebellious streak when it comes to fashion rules. I grew up with references to Emily Post on what was "appropriate" to wear, and while I wanted to comply and be a "good girl"—I really did—ever-present was this need to do what felt right for me, not just because someone said so. Wearing white jeans after Labor Day was one of those "inappropriates", treated like a fairweather friend and ushered out once the leaves turned. But if you tell me I can’t wear something in a particular season, suddenly, it becomes the only thing I want to reach for.
For a long time, at least in my neck of the woods, white jeans conjured up a very specific visual: Nantucket summer, crisp blue and white striped shirts, preppy flats, and a Nantucket Lightship Basket swinging from a well-tanned elbow. Lovely, yes, but limiting. (Truth be told, I don’t think I’ve personally worn white jeans during the summer months since 2010.) But during winter, on the other hand…that's when the denim trend can really shine.
White denim takes on a whole new personality in the winter. It becomes sharper, cooler, and more intentional. Against gray skies and early sunsets, white jeans act like a sartorial light switch, brightening even the most dreary of January days. They’re a helpful tool to break up the monotonous sea of black that can inevitably creep into our wardrobes by mid-season.
The key to winterizing white jeans lies in contrast and texture. Think: chunky knits in oatmeal, charcoal, or camel. You want sweaters with weight and tonality, like layers of cashmere and cotton, and belts to add depth and intentionality.
High contrast can also be found in black overcoats, black Oxford loafers, silver buckled belts, and chocolate suede slouchy handbags. As the weather begins to ease, white jeans are also the perfect transitional denim to wear with pale celadon, cerulean blues, and that cool suede jacket you’ve been itching to wear since October.
Ultimately, wearing white jeans in winter is about optimism. It signals confidence, a willingness to defy tired fashion rules, and a belief that style doesn’t have to hibernate just because the weather drops. In the darkest months of the year, they offer a little visual light. And sometimes, that’s exactly what getting dressed should do.
Keep scrolling to peruse and shop some of my favorite pairs of white jeans to wear.
