How to wear white jeans without looking trashy, cheap or as though you’re trying too hard to be fashionable is easier than it looks. Providing you adhere to a few do’s and don’ts and buy the style that best suits your shape, you’ll be surprised how great a pair of white jeans can look.

How To Wear White jeans

Learning how to wear white jeans is as easy as ABC. Pretty much. If I can do it, anyone can. I’m not given to flashes of fashion inspiration as a rule. I like black a little too much. I’m also a designer’s worst nightmare in that I don’t follow trends. But I’m not completely dense either. I’ve got two eyes, two brain cells and an innate ability to see the difference between trash and class – at least when it comes to clothing.

And that’s one of the odd things about white jeans. Have you ever noticed that white denim can scream trash yet a well cut pair of white pants screams class? The problem with jeans is that they’re largely perceived as casual wear. A well cut pair of trousers are not. It's leg prejudice ... oh my.

White Jeans

The easiest way to wear white jeans is to view them as though they’re a classic white pant. They’re not as easy to wear as blue, black or faded denim and unless you pay attention to what you wear with them, you’ll end up look more floozie than schmoozie.

So to make it easier, here’s a list of don’ts – and paying attention to them will go along way towards adding class to your white denim experience.

Once you've read through what's hot and what's not, you've no excuse for wearing white denim with anything other than aplomb ...

White Jeans – Don’t

#1 Never squeeze into a smaller size. White denim is not as forgiving as regular colored denims. They can and do show lumps and bumps in an unfavourable light, especially if there are too many squeezed into a small space. Think quarts and pint pots girls. What doesn’t pour in – spills over.

#2 Don’t make the mistake of wearing white jeans with white stiletto heals. You may as well have trailer trash (or worse) printed across your booty. A simply awful combination. Flats, wedges, cute pumps, strappy sandals and sexy boots – but never white heels.

#3 Midriff tops and white denim … absolutely not! Midriff tops are for kids, athletes and on anyone older than 20 … just steer clear.

#4 White jeans can be so incredibly classy yet the look can be ruined if you top your outfit off with a puffa jacket. They create a truly awful outline anyway. They’re always bulky and look anything but refined.

#5 Don’t choose a tight, fitted leather or faux leather jacket. They just cheapen the look. They look even worse if you wear them over a top that works in harmony with white denim.

#6 This is the biggest fashion no-no … colored underwear. The only colour that works is nude. And while we’re on underwear, no VPL either! You don’t need to buy a thong to lose VPL. There are some great panty designs that have a seamless leg – extremely comfortable and a great choice for those of us that prefer our butts to feel covered.

White Jeans - Do

#1 Pay attention to color when you accessorize. White jeans work with most colors but most colors won’t work with you. For example, if you suit earthy tones, make sure that the top, your footwear and other accessories match. Don’t pick a beautiful chocolate brown tunic and then spoil it by wearing purple boots.

#2 Be careful to check the length. White denim works best when it sits neatly at your ankle. You’re aiming for the opposite of a bunched up mess atop your footwear. If you find a fab pair that fit you beautifully but they’re too long - buy them anyway and simply have the length altered.

#3 The following tops work in harmony with white denim: tunics, anything floaty and/or bohemian. Gorgeous knits (think layering/winter wear), beautifully cut shirts, empire lines and anything that’s along the lines of nautical.

#4 Monochrome, while no longer the hottest color combo, is still a great classic to fall back on. Black and white is timeless so don’t be afraid to experiment.

When To Wear White Jeans

You can wear white jeans throughout the year. Despite their color, they’re not strictly a piece of summer clothing. And yes – winter brings inclement weather and you’d be a little silly if you went out, legs clad in white, when Mother Nature was having a paddy of tempestuous proportions.

But winter isn’t all about rain and snow. There’s many a fine day – when all the great outdoors lacks is heat. Wrap up. Team your jeans with some great boots, a beautiful wool blazer and matching scarf. Layer up – if it’s an Autumnal day, a soft as silk cashmere sweater, worn over a shirt and paired with some gorgeous flats.

It’s all about imagination and having a modicum of fashionable flare. Just make sure that you’re imagination isn’t in keeping with that of Ronald McDonald.

How To Care For White Jeans

How to keep white jeans white? Simple – avoid staining them beyond redemption and wash them regularly. First – try not to slop beverages down them – or ketchup. There are many foods/drinks that will ruin your jeans so do be careful if you’re dining out. Make sure the food gets from plate to mouth … not plate to jeans.

Wash wise, check the label. Whilst you need to keep an eye on the guidelines, it’s ok to wash white denim with a little bleach added – or better still buy one of the new clothes detergents that are specially formatted for whites.

One thing you should avoid …. Never boil wash them And if you do – be prepared for your jeans to have shrunk enough to fit a 10 year old. If you do catch a stain, immediately you return home, fill a bucket (or similar) with cold water and a good dose of salt. Drop your jeans in, making sure they’re completely immersed.

Leave them for at least 24 hours before your rinse them out. If the stain is still visible, gently dab on a watered down bleach solution prior to washing them. When ready, pop into the washer, on a normal cycle – add a little bleach if necessary.

Now go and wear your white jeans with class – and if ever you’re in Lisbon, look for the frog in white. Looking classy … not trashy.