Last night I was shopping with a small group of women. Everyone was looking for fun summer looks in anticipation of a warm, glorious summer. As expected, the question of white pants came up. Some said they live in them all summer. Others said they are afraid of them, and still others said they had never thought to buy a pair. The one thing that was very clear was that there are a lot of misconceptions around white pants and part of that is because there are a number of pitfalls you want to avoid if you choose to wear them.
So, let’s talk about white pants and address some familiar questions. Before we get to that, however, let’s talk about why white pants are so handy. That’s easy. Many of us, especially if we live in a cooler climate, build our wardrobes around black, brown or navy pants or jeans. These dark neutrals are easy and provide a good foundation upon which to build a versatile wardrobe. Of course, in the past few seasons colored pants have been gaining popularity, but not many people I know are banishing all their dark neutral pants in favor of bright colors.
So, where do white pants fit in?
They instantly add a lighter, more summery feel to an outfit. This is especially helpful for people whose best, most flattering colors are deep and rich. In the summer, if you pair your deep, rich colors with black pants, you feel heavy, wintery and out of sync with the season. Now, imagine changing your black pants to white and wear the same deep, rich colors near your face. You instantly add radiance and lightness to an otherwise dark outfit. Ahhh, an immediate sense of lightness surrounds you.
Great, you say, but I don’t wear white pants. They look terrible on me. That’s where the rest of this discussion comes in.
My suggestion, before you dismiss white pants entirely, is to keep reading. It might just change your mind. Believe me, I hear from clients all the time that they don’t wear white pants. And, then, with the right pair in the right fabric and paired with the perfect top, the results are magical … every time.
Debunking the top two reasons for not wearing white pants
I’ve heard all the excuses for not wearing white pants. In fact, I’ve heard them over and over. It’s doubtful you find it surprising to hear the top two reasons women don’t wear white pants:
- I’m too heavy and they’ll draw attention to my lower body.
- I’m bound to spill something on them immediately and then they’ll be ruined.
At the shopping event the women there ranged in size from 4 to 2X. As it turns out, every one of them looks great in white pants. Often I find that when a woman gains weight she immediately resorts to black and other dark colors on bottom to (in her estimation) camouflage her lower half. Sure, that can work to some extent, but it’s not the only way. There are plenty of people who look disproportionately larger on bottom even when they are wearing black pants. It’s not completely about color. It’s also about fit and styling. A well-crafted outfit that includes white pants can easily be as slimming (or even more slimming) than an haphazardly tossed together outfit containing black pants. Not convinced? In a minute we will talk about some of the pitfalls and styling tricks to choose a great pair of white pants.
But, first let’s talk about the dirt factor. Sure, there’s no getting around the fact that white pants will show dirt more readily than black pants. I also suggest you could be surprised by how long they last relatively dirt-free. You might also be sure that the white pants you get can be washed as opposed to dry-cleaned. That way you can toss them in the laundry at the first signs of any marks and save constant dry cleaning fees (and fewer chemicals).
Not to mention that it’s not the end of the world if you get a pair of white pants and they get irrevocably stained. You either go get another pair (and refrain from eating blueberry pie while wearing them) or you give up on white pants (I recommend the former option). I rarely hear of one of my clients (even those with small children) saying that they ruin every pair of white pants. It’s possible, but unlikely. So, why let that keep you from experimenting with a potentially terrific summer look.
Here are some tips for choosing your go-to white pants:
Choose your fabric wisely. My favorite white pants are white jeans. This is true for several reasons.
- Denim is heavy enough (even the lighter weight denim) so that you don’t have to worry about the see-through factor.
- Denim is durable and washes easily.
- These days denim is versatile. If you buy a nice pair of white jeans you can dress them up or dress them down.
On the other hand, denim can be a tad hot when the temperatures soar. In which case, you have options. Linen is one of the coolest fabrics, but the see-through factor is often off the charts. Occasionally you’ll find lined linen pants but that usually defeats the purpose of wearing linen — which is to stay cool. And, some women can’t stand the immediate wrinkling that invariably happens with linen. You either love it or hate it.
What do you do when you choose a pair of white pants and they are somewhat transparent? Three things:
- Wear skin-tone underwear. That way there is no risk of seeing the polka dots from your favorite pair of panties peeking through.
- Remove the pockets. Why designers put pockets in unlined linen or other lightweight/slightly sheer fabrics is beyond me. Seeing the lining of the pockets is unsightly and distracting and makes it very obvious that the pants are not opaque.
- Do not wear these pants skin tight. If they are even the least bit sheer the tightness will leave little to the imagination. Plus, wearing them that tight undermines the main purpose of wearing linen pants which is to keep cool — air cannot circulate when the pants are glued to your body.
I replaced all of my white pants this season because the ones I had were either old styles (I’m talking several years old (see, white pants can last)), too big, too small or just uncomfortable. I now have two pairs — a skinnier jean (can’t believe I’m even saying that!) and a pair of looser ones for when the weather is hot and I don’t want to be in something too snug.
If you are wondering how to style them, here are a few ideas (click on the images for more details):
What are your biggest fears around wearing white pants? Or tell me why you love them! Post a comment for a chance to win a free digital copy of my new book That’s So You!
50 Responses
Hello, Ginger! This is one of my favorite topics. I LOVE white jeans and wear them year round. It all comes down to finding a great style for your body. CAbi (Carol Anderson by invitation) white jeans flatter my shape (and most women, no matter size….wide belt, not too low, sturdy fabric with a bit of give, etc.). While they are not inexpensive ($108), they are fabulous quality. I wore my first pair for 5 years until I finally could not remove a stain (they are machine washable, YAY). Even better, I found a replacement “vintage” pair exactly like the ones I retired, on eBay, tags on, for only $45.00!!!!!!
OMG Ginger your Polyvore collages are so inspiring! I want all three outfits they are so bright and bold and colorful and pulled together!
I’ve avoided white pants like the plague for the second reason you cite. It seemed like they’d get dirty five minutes after I put them on. Of course I have no idea now if that’s accurate since I haven’t worn them in years.
This reminds me that my go to pair of shorts this summer is white and it’s not much of an issue. LOL. So for now I can use your Polyvore boards as inspiration for how to wear them.
I can’t stand linen pants for the reasons you cite but I can now see doing some white jeans. Of course in the desert jeans are impractical for summer. Which is why I’m mostly wearing dresses currently. 🙂
Re: Polyvore collages — YEP! I agree. I want them all!
Stef, we’ll expect a full report when you try white jeans again : -) It’s bound to get cool enough to wear them at some point! As you can see from Caryl’s comment they can be washed and most likely you will not irrevocably stain them immediately.
Caryl thanks for posting this. I’m going to check out the CAbi jeans.
And congrats on the eBay find! Love eBay!
Hello, Ginger! This is one of my favorite topics. I LOVE white jeans and wear them year round. It all comes down to finding a great style for your body. CAbi (Carol Anderson by invitation) white jeans flatter my shape (and most women, no matter size….wide belt, not too low, sturdy fabric with a bit of give, etc.). While they are not inexpensive ($108), they are fabulous quality. I wore my first pair for 5 years until I finally could not remove a stain (they are machine washable, YAY). Even better, I found a replacement “vintage” pair exactly like the ones I retired, on eBay, tags on, for only $45.00!!!!!!
Caryl thanks for posting this. I’m going to check out the CAbi jeans.
And congrats on the eBay find! Love eBay!
OMG Ginger your Polyvore collages are so inspiring! I want all three outfits they are so bright and bold and colorful and pulled together!
I’ve avoided white pants like the plague for the second reason you cite. It seemed like they’d get dirty five minutes after I put them on. Of course I have no idea now if that’s accurate since I haven’t worn them in years.
This reminds me that my go to pair of shorts this summer is white and it’s not much of an issue. LOL. So for now I can use your Polyvore boards as inspiration for how to wear them.
I can’t stand linen pants for the reasons you cite but I can now see doing some white jeans. Of course in the desert jeans are impractical for summer. Which is why I’m mostly wearing dresses currently. 🙂
My white pants are Ann Taylor from three seasons ago. They are skinny jeans that I roll to the ankle. My young grown daughters make fun of the white jeans, though. I see them all over the place, feel fine in them, but they say they aren’t cool (or whatever the hip phrase of the moment is). What I do is wear them when the girls aren’t around. Since I don’t wear them a ton, they’ve stayed nice and white. Great.
Good for you, Donna. “Coolness” is over-rated! Feeling good in what you are wearing is what’s important. Dressing the way others want you to dress just because it’s “in” is not — so good for you!!
Donna, you are the winner of a copy of my book, ‘That’s So You!’ in ebook form. Feel free to email me your email address ([email protected]) and I will get you the special code! Congratulations!
My white pants are Ann Taylor from three seasons ago. They are skinny jeans that I roll to the ankle. My young grown daughters make fun of the white jeans, though. I see them all over the place, feel fine in them, but they say they aren’t cool (or whatever the hip phrase of the moment is). What I do is wear them when the girls aren’t around. Since I don’t wear them a ton, they’ve stayed nice and white. Great.
I never ever wore white pants for two reasons: the dirt factor (when my son was younger + two dogs) and the see-through factor. My jaw still drops when I see women in white skirts or pants . . . and nothing underneath. But, you sold me on white jeans and the pair I bought on our last shopping trip are amazing. Love them! xoxoxoxox
Yay! So glad you are enjoying them, Dianna. I know how amazing you look in them 🙂
Yay! So glad you are enjoying them, Dianna. I know how amazing you look in them 🙂
Guess what, Dianna. You are the winner of the copy of my book in ebook form 🙂 I’ll email you the special code to get it! Yay!
Guess what, Dianna. You are the winner of the copy of my book in ebook form 🙂 I’ll email you the special code to get it! Yay!
My biggest complaint is seeing the white pockets through the fabric. I had never thought of removing them.
I don’t like the fabric of most white pants – they are either too see-through or uncomfortable. I like the idea of white denim – stretch denim works best for me.
I have a difficult time finding pants to fit. I am long waisted, with a narrow waist and wider hips. Most pants are more tubular in shape – they gap at the back.
I am still looking for the perfect pair of white pants!
I agree about the pockets, Hedy. Removing them makes such a big difference — they never should have been there in the first place! I, too, only wear stretch denim. Two suggestions for you. I have curvy clients who recommend the curvy I.N.C. jeans at Macy’s and others who like the curvy jeans at Ann Taylor Loft. If you haven’t tried them, they could be worth a shot 🙂
Thanks Ginger! I live in Canada – our options are limited compared to the U.S.
Ahhh, yes, Hedy, that’s what I hear from my Canadian clients. Hopefully you get a chance to travel to the US periodically 🙂
Yes, I do envy your shopping options! In addition to my other challenges, I need pants that are 1-2 inches longer than the standard found in most stores.
Ahhh, just to make life exciting!! Have you tried Talbots? They make a 35″ inseam.
I haven’t been there in a while, but will try again. We have a small store here; I have had no luck finding denim there in the past.
Thanks Ginger! I love your posts!
Hi Ginger!
Loved the post on white pants. I have a pair I used to wear to work that I got from Talbots and just loved them. I would like to find a casual pair as I think I would get much use out of them and will try some of your suggestions!
Loved your polyvore sets, please do more of them! I looked at Nic + Zoe for the blue 4-way cardi but it only seems to come in white and black?
Amy
Thank you, Amy. Those are the first of those kinds of sets I’ve put together so I appreciate that you like them! I’ve been looking for other sites that let me do that since Polyvore seems to skew on the young/trendy side and I had to pour through a billion (or at least it felt like that many) options to find things I like. Sadly, I think the Nic + Zoe sold out after I chose it 🙁 My suggestion would be to visualize yourself finding something you love equally as well (and maybe check eBay in case someone has listed it there 🙂
Ahhh, just to make life exciting!! Have you tried Talbots? They make a 35″ inseam.
I haven’t been there in a while, but will try again. We have a small store here; I have had no luck finding denim there in the past.
Thanks Ginger! I love your posts!
Ahhh, yes, Hedy, that’s what I hear from my Canadian clients. Hopefully you get a chance to travel to the US periodically 🙂
Hi Ginger!
Loved the post on white pants. I have a pair I used to wear to work that I got from Talbots and just loved them. I would like to find a casual pair as I think I would get much use out of them and will try some of your suggestions!
Loved your polyvore sets, please do more of them! I looked at Nic + Zoe for the blue 4-way cardi but it only seems to come in white and black?
Amy
Thank you, Amy. Those are the first of those kinds of sets I’ve put together so I appreciate that you like them! I’ve been looking for other sites that let me do that since Polyvore seems to skew on the young/trendy side and I had to pour through a billion (or at least it felt like that many) options to find things I like. Sadly, I think the Nic + Zoe sold out after I chose it 🙁 My suggestion would be to visualize yourself finding something you love equally as well (and maybe check eBay in case someone has listed it there 🙂
Love your articles Ginger! Because of your wonderful expertise over the years, I have white pants I love including jeans and linen. I love them because I have wonderful tops that come alive when paired with white pants. I feel summery and light when I wear them. Thanks for all you do!
It’s my pleasure, Pam. Thank you! You always look beautiful.
Thank you all for posting comments here. As promised one lucky winner will receive a copy of my book ‘That’s So You!’ in ebook form. The winner is….drumroll please…Dianna. So, Dianna, I will be in touch with the special code for you. Congratulations!
Thank you all for posting comments here. As promised one lucky winner will receive a copy of my book ‘That’s So You!’ in ebook form. The winner is….drumroll please…Dianna. So, Dianna, I will be in touch with the special code for you. Congratulations!
Dianna already has my book so she has graciously invited me to choose another winner. So, here goes…the winner is…Donna! Yay!
Dianna already has my book so she has graciously invited me to choose another winner. So, here goes…the winner is…Donna! Yay!
Love the longer blue, green and white print top, and the whole outfit you suggest, Ginger! I looked into buying it at “Polyvore” –very disappointed to get a message that it’s “sold out.” : (
I know! That one sold out fast. (No surprise why!)
Any other suggestions, Ginger, on where I could find that top?
Best wishes, ~ Bonnie
Did you try looking on eBay?
Why? I buy colored shorts or jeans and they don’t show all the bumps and imperfections. But when I buy the same exact style/fabric in white, it’s a disaster. If only manufacturers would make white pants/shorts with some kind of barrier.
I know…I mostly stay clear of white leggings or pants and generally only buy white jeans if they are a heavy enough fabric not to show everything! You’d think the manufacturers would figure this out.
love the vegan footwear..stylish and cruelty-free
Thank you so much for appreciating that! All clothing and accessories shown in any of my newsletters are vegan (as you’ve probably noticed). I love showing that one does not have to inflict suffering on animals in order to look and feel stylish. Thanks again!
this is a nice blog.
Put white tights undernith you white jeans if you don’t want them to be transparent, just cut off the feet so you can wear open toe shoes. Works for me every time.
Great idea, Ana. Thank you for sharing this. One quick question…do the jeans stick to the tights and get bunchy or does it depend on the fabric of the tights?
I’m a bit on the heavier side, but would like to wear some nice white linen, white on white. What shape pants should I get to go with a tunic? Drawstring, tapered, 3/4??
It’s very hard to say. It depends on what kind of top you are going to wear. I wouldn’t get a drawstring unless you are going to tuck something in and even then it often makes women look really bottom heavy and/or thicker at the waist. If you are going to wear a tunic or longer top then do a skinnier pant, but then again it’s hard to say without seeing you. And, with linen pants you don’t want them to be too tight because often they are a tad see-through and can show any lumps or bumps. You’ll need to try a bunch of different styles on with different tops to see what you like. Have fun exploring and if it’s summer where you are now you’ll need to look really soon…the supply of white linen is dwindling if not gone.