4 Ways to Wear White Jeans to Work
Plus, the comfortable, non-see-through styles I love.
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Everything is in bloom right now, and by my standards, that means it’s officially spring. In other words, it’s time to talk about white jeans. Quite honestly, I haven’t always been a fan. In fact, it was only a few years ago that I found a pair that actually works for me.
For most of my life, I assumed that looking good in white jeans was an experience reserved for Nancy Meyers characters and people who unironically use “summer” as a verb. The stiff, often see-through styles I tried on over the years confirmed my suspicions: The elusive white jean was simply not an item I was meant to pull off. This changed when M.M.LaFleur released the Milo jeans.
I was a skeptic from the start, but when I tried on these stretchy, smoothing, and opaque pants, I knew they weren’t like other girls jeans. If you wear them with a T-shirt and flip-flops, they look like jeans. If you wear them with a button-down shirt and pointy-toe flats, they look like trousers. Plus, they pass my personal benchmark for comfort, which is that I don’t feel the need to change out of them before settling onto the couch to watch TV.
The Milo jeans are a true staple of my wardrobe, to the point where I’m occasionally concerned that people will wonder whether I own other pants. And after several years of passionate pleas from customers, M.M. has finally released the Milo and its cropped sister, the Abby jean, in true white (the pair you see me wearing above is bright ivory, which is a warm-toned off white).
Today’s newsletter takes advantage of the Milo and Abby jeans’ abilities to function, sartorially, as trousers. Here are four ways to wear white jeans to work.
1. Introduce Elevated Tailoring
I have been lusting after this new Bentley shirt since I first saw it; it looks like a classic button-down from the front, but the back has this stunning cinched-waist detail that just makes it so special (see M.M.’s Design Director,
, wearing it in white here). Plus, what’s more fun than a summery red? If you need an extra layer, opt for a dramatic trench, because life’s too short for boring coats. White pumps keep the outfit feeling seasonally right, and you can’t go wrong with a timeless tote for your work bag.
2. Create Contrast
White jeans are inherently beachy. I see this as a plus, but depending on where you work, you may feel the need to tone down the breezy seaside vibes before you head to the office (fair enough). Pair your white jeans with a black knit tank, a boyfriend blazer, and leather flats for a look that’s less Hamptons, more Manhattan. Accessories like a vintage-inspired necklace, dipped hoop earrings, and chic sunglasses add dimension to an otherwise simple ensemble.
3. Accessorize, Accessorize, Accessorize
I have this perfect AYR shirt in two different colors and have probably worn them over 200 times collectively. So I can tell you from personal experience that for a beachy button-down, the difference between “bathing suit cover-up” and “office shirt” is accessories. A textural belt, gold jewelry, and jewel-toned flats go a long way toward elevating your outfit.
4. Play with Pattern and Texture
Back when I was an M.M. stylist, I worked with many clients facing a similar dilemma. They worked in (usually male-dominated) offices where the norm was to show up in a hoodie. They didn’t want to conform to a status quo that made them feel sloppy—but if they wore a dress or a blazer, they’d feel out of place. I put this outfit together with those clients in mind. Wear the striped Miriam cardigan as a top (you can also layer a tank or tee underneath if you prefer) with the cropped Abby jeans. Accessorize with a belt, white sneakers, bold hoops, and a fun tote. Not too buttoned-up and by no means “stuffy”—but far from sloppy.
Literally the best jeans ever! I wore my ivory ones non stop. Don't fit into them after baby but they really are incredible!
Any chance tailoring will start to include front darts at the busy? Now that would be fitted! Amazing if it would ever happen.