Hello Dear hearts - another Wednesday, another question about things which you all seem to know lots about and I know so little.. Honest, in other parts of my life, I am quite accomplished! :-)
Today, we turn to the white jean.
She is a conundrem for me - it is too hot to wear her in the summer, too dirty to wear her around here in the spring, which leaves the fall..
I am no Beyonce and sandals are not in the picture:
So - how shall she be paired? What kinds of boots/shoes? High boots/low boots? What kinds of colours would be a good fall match? Do not forget my spleeny aversion to cold!
I am afraid of straying off course and looking like Herr Karl:
Well, it might be okay, as I would likely end up getting my picture taken with Tabitha in some random hotel somewhere on the continent!
And no white-on-white please, a la Woody. I am too pasty as it is!
I have one pair to my name - a pair of Ralph Lauren ones - and they fit well and I feel good in them, but i have only ever worn them once! And i have owned them for 6 months. HELP!
Oh and did I mention that I want to wear them to a casual dinner party with friends Saturday? DOUBLE HELP!
Have a great Wednesday and stay safe out there!
Today, we turn to the white jean.
She is a conundrem for me - it is too hot to wear her in the summer, too dirty to wear her around here in the spring, which leaves the fall..
I am no Beyonce and sandals are not in the picture:
So - how shall she be paired? What kinds of boots/shoes? High boots/low boots? What kinds of colours would be a good fall match? Do not forget my spleeny aversion to cold!
I am afraid of straying off course and looking like Herr Karl:
Well, it might be okay, as I would likely end up getting my picture taken with Tabitha in some random hotel somewhere on the continent!
And no white-on-white please, a la Woody. I am too pasty as it is!
I have one pair to my name - a pair of Ralph Lauren ones - and they fit well and I feel good in them, but i have only ever worn them once! And i have owned them for 6 months. HELP!
Oh and did I mention that I want to wear them to a casual dinner party with friends Saturday? DOUBLE HELP!
Have a great Wednesday and stay safe out there!
I cant wait to read all the answers,because i never know how wear white jeans either.
ReplyDeleteActually i gave my only pair away,because i was clueless.
If i would wear them to a casual dinner party,i probably would combine them with a sequined tee from jcrew and a grey cardigan(it is not such a stark contrast like black).
Hi Ina! Good to hear I am not the only clueless one! Thanks for the idea! You may end up having to buy another pair after this post
DeleteI wear them all year we don't have any prohibitions against white. On the annoying iPhone will return!
ReplyDeleteScotland never adhered to that rule? How interesting! How North American-centric am i!
DeleteWMM: Yes it's a strange one dreamt up by your lot! I'd never heard it before, Euros pad about in white jeans a lot in autumn, more so on the continent.
ReplyDeleteAh the sophisticated european! Tonight I am going to have to look up the genesis of no white after labour day!
DeleteBut - you still have to give me styling ideas!
The original dictum- "no white after Labor Day" referred to shoes. It has been misinterpreted since then as "no white at all". I love white, and especially love it paired with brown leather or suede. I would probably avoid navy stripes, because that is such a decidedly nautical summery theme, but otherwise, I would wear it with anything.
DeleteCARTE BLANCHE WMM, blame me having worked for a number of historic resorts, but the white clothes retired after Labo(u)r Day is all about turn of 20th century lines between the classes. Lightweight/ pale fabrics (lawn, seersucker, eyelet/tricot...) were a symbol of the leisure set and packed away when they return from the lake, beach etc. to the hubs of industry. In detail, it was more of a North American nouveau riche preoccupation. But happily for us, Chanel was breaking the rule way back in the roaring '20s, and Marc Jacobs had lots of white wear in his Fall 2012 collection, so bring on those jeans.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite pairing is white jeans with a navy cashmere crewneck/ bright blue blazer, but personally I think that's too nautical for fall. Like Ina, I would suggest grey layers (a silvery sequin tank and a cardigan for a party plus your prized bracelet, or a grey herringbone jacket), or a jewel tone blouse/ top.
I think the most important things are the weight of the fabrics and the (closed-toe, heavier) footwear, which has to feel season and outfit appropriate. Gayle Spannaus was quoted in a Wall Street Journal story about this in August, lauding the combination of white, camel and black.
I think scarves also help autumn-ize white jeans. And my personal look is a oatmeal-ish JC cabled-front jumper, light brown boots, scarf and anorak. In fact I might pull that out to wear this week, thanks.
Thanks Get Fresh - while I do not have a grey herringbone (YET) I do have a slouchy grey Michael Kors velveteen blazer I bought last fall and have barely worn... I am starting to see an outfit here...
DeleteGreat info. having never been nouveau or riche, that is good to know!
"O" HERE IT IS Knew I had seen something on the fall shoes with white jeans challenge - over to you >
ReplyDeletehttp://www.oprah.com/style/How-to-Wear-White-Jeans-in-Winter-Fashion-Advice_1
Popped back because had to note DYING at your post tags! Look forward to Tabs' Euro, non-Karl take too...
DeleteThanks GF! Leave it to Oprah! I never searcht this stuff now. I just keep a list and get you ladies to tell me! Does that make me lazy? YOu have all become my "editorial board" or as jenna would say, you are "curating" my wardrobe!
DeleteI know - Tabs has to give me some ideas!
SATURDAY READY Grey velvet could be just the ticket, lovely with silver baubles. Now just the tank/ underpinning and shoes to pull from your closet. Wardrobe advice much better vetted by mates that magazines or, ahem, "style guides." JCA posts (DBP, Slastena, Ema, AJC, ABC...) are responsible for getting me out of my polished but black habit and much the happier for it. (Dark like night here today anyway.) Adding another Euro white jean habitue to your list - Liz Hurley, quoted, "a woman can be transformed by a pair of white denims and few squats."
DeleteOh GF - you made me laugh out loud!
Delete1) is most definitely better to get style advice from mates...
2) when you said black habit I was imagining you as a nun..
3) the Liz Hurley was a good quote, since I have wanted to have an affair with Hugh Grant since "maurice" (obscure movie reference for 1980s anglophiles who did not have enough of a life!)
I have to admit I just don;t feel like wearing white jeans after September, off-white cords are another story.
ReplyDeleteBut as far as styling, everything goes with white jeans. I would refrain from white, brown, navy and pastels, everything else is a game. I like gray, camel or black slouchy jumpers the best with white jeans. Add a scarf and boots (or booties) and it is winterized. This makes me think I need a pair of oatmeal cords...
Oh AJC! I resemble your remarks!
DeleteWhite jeans are impractical for me outside of summer. It's mud season most of the spring and in the fall after (and sometimes during) September. Plus I'm just not in the mood for white any more. I think it looks fine, but I don't reach for it. I like them best with sandals, though, and I don't know what else I'd pair them with. I can think of a couple of sweaters that would look good with my white jeans if I could just figure out the fall footwear.
ReplyDeleteCate - how warm is it where you are now? We are not im mud season yet, so I think I can risk it - but I am always too hot in summer to wear tight jeans..
DeleteIt's been down to the 30s at night, and in the 50s or 60s during the day. It's more so the rain that's the problem, it just makes everything a mess. I think you'd be fine going out to a dinner party, you probably wouldn't be outdoors long enough to splash mud on your jeans.
DeleteLike ajc and cate, I just do not feel like wearing any more white once September is here. Right now I am so tired of wearing my summer clothes as it is, I cannot even begin to imagine putting on a pair of white pants or jeans. Plus, I prefer winter-white during the fall and winter months, and in heftier fabrics such as corduroy or wool.
ReplyDeleteI am also dying over your post tags! You really are just too, too funny! :)
Oh FFM - that is because you are some place warm! If you were here (or where Tabs is) you would welcome any diversion that makes you think you are warmer than you are! Imagine that poor girl in Edinburgh - her one day of summer was July 10th or something. She NEEDS white jeans!
DeleteI just noticed your tags lol! Does anyone else not care for Diane Keaton as their style muse? She is a better choice than Woody Allen for sure, but still not really my cup of tea.
ReplyDeletefor sure not young Diane! i recently read her autobiography , which made me squirm in places as she was a little 'passive' in her life, particularly with her great loves, Al Pacino and Warren Beatty and all i could think was the line from "It's a Wonderful Life" - Ah, Youth is Wasted on the wrong people.."
DeleteMUNGO I do know that film, from the E.M. Forester novel, as well as anything Merchant Ivory. I am afraid Hugh has worn me (or his on-screen welcome) out with his floppy haired playing himself in various roles, although I <3 much of his material like Nick Hornby novels, Richard Curtis and Four Weddings. The DH, who normally appreciates British actors does not help. Household nicknames include "lather, rinse, repeat," "that prat/ ponce," and another Hugh-e one I can't repeat. Then again, he does appreciate the one-time girlfriend - in white jeans, devilish leather jumpsuits, and safety-pinned dresses.
ReplyDeleteAh that is so DH, isn't it? My DH is a huge Four Weddings.. kind of guy, but more from the Andie McDowell perspective and the delightful Simon Callow. If I am ever on a desert island, A Room with a View, in both movie and book form, are coming with me. Perhaps Simon as well. And a good bottle of liquor...
DeleteDon't forget laptop/portable DVD player with solar charger and corkscrew/ Swiss Army knife.
DeleteOh yeah. And the Anne books. WOnder how much I would shop online from the desert island?
DeleteWhat can't you wear with white jeans?! A beautiful shirt, a pretty sweater, a slouchy sweatshirt or an interesting tee .... I wear white jeans all the time in the summer and well after Labor Day. Of course it was still in the high 90s last week and next week it will be in the 80s. But I'm putting them away this weekend until next year, it is mid-October after all. ;)
ReplyDeleteOh Tiffany Rose - you make me cry with your "hot" stories! Was 40 here today and windy. tights weather..
DeleteLate to the party - but I think white jeans are chic in the fall and winter. I love the look of white jeans, ribbed turtleneck and loafers or boots. I think wearing white with a gray sweater and a camel jacket is chic as well. Rules from decades ago should be reexamined-it is a different world no. I never match shoes and a bag and wouldn't be caught dead in white gloves :-)
ReplyDelete(I just watched the 8 episode series "The Kennedys"-lots of rules-fashion and otherwise-and as we know-so tragic.)
Thanks Cate! I like the idea of the sweaters and camel jacket! I will be taking a picture of myself Saturday night (before I drink wine - I hope to report no wine stains on the white jeans!) and post it next week!
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