Social media has enabled trends to travel globally, meaning our quintessentially British houndstooth prints, sleeveless gilets and Burberry Nova checks can be spotted in all four corners of the world.
White jeans may be popular across all seven continents but they have a rich, storied history on our humble isles. Bar the ever-stylish Scandinavians, nobody does white jeans quite like us Brits. But this has not always been a positive thing. During the Noughties, white jeans became a Eurotrash staple, paired with slightly cropped baby tees, diamante-studded Dolce & Gabbana belts and botched platinum dye jobs. Chic? We think not.
This, unfortunately, tethered white jeans to their somewhat unfavourable reputation across the nation. This wasn’t helped by the predating popularity of white jeans among the Eighties underground club scene - one that still divides sartorial opinion to this day. The style became synonymous with George Michael in his classic ivory denim WHAM! uniform, Liz Hurley in low-slung, flared silhouettes and Princess Diana’s string of cream mom jeans. Some say fab, others say drab.
Unlike the Italians - think Donatella Versace’s skin-tight slacks - and laid-back, Ralph Lauren-loving Americans, British consumers couldn’t get the style quite right. That was until now.
White jeans have seen a renaissance among the fashion glitterati. Inspired by Alexa Chung, Victoria Beckham, Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid, hoards of chronically online fad-followers are snapping up white jeans to enhance their trans-seasonal wardrobes. No doubt, the celebrity-approved ‘Quiet Luxury’ trend has a part to play in the ongoing enchantment with white jeans, which champion clean minimalism to the highest degree.
Over in the luxury sector, fashion houses such as Proenza Schouler, Schiaparelli and Acne Studios are doling out white denim pieces for consumers to coo over. Design teams across the board are working tirelessly to bring blanche bottoms back, updating designs with embroidery, embellishments and slouchy silhouettes to appeal to the curious Gen Z customer.
Gone are the days of dowdy denim. White jeans now belong to a new crowd, one that is willing to experiment with the silhouettes and bring them into the street style sphere. En masse, shoppers are ditching the white-jeans-and-wedge-heels combo, a look religiously donned by Made In Chelsea stars Millie Macintosh and Rosie Fortescue circa 2010, and reaching for a simple white tank top to complete their all-white aesthetic.
Discover the best new-and-improved white jeans to upgrade your summer-to-winter wardrobe.
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Ganni Crystal-Embellished Straight Leg Jeans
Pepper your denim collection with a healthy sprinkling of sparkle. Ganni’s crystal-embellished jeans are not to go unmissed. A scattering of the brand’s glimmering It-girl logo is set against a rich ecru backdrop to signify the wearer as a certified stylista.
Buy now £128.00, The Outnet
Loewe x Paula’s Ibiza Wide-Leg Jeans
The Loewe x Paula’s Ibiza Wide-Leg Jeans are a cut above the rest. The designer denim slacks feature a snow-white hue, subtly interrupted by Loewe's iconic swirling insignia above the knees. A quick flick through London Fashion Week street style and you’ll find that these jeans are hot property among the fashion elite.
Buy now £875.00, Harrods
Cos Arched Tapered Jeans
Tapered jeans are in the midst of a fashion moment. Opt for a playful cut that offers a loose fit with streamlined cuffs and toy with stylish silhouettes. Cos’ jeans will help you do just that. Pair yours with a plain white tee to emulate the classic fashion editor uniform.
Buy now £60.00, Cos
Bimba Y Lola Straight-Leg jeans
White jeans may be a staple, but that doesn’t mean they have to be samey. Bimba Y Lola’s straight-leg jeans feature a unique pattern that forms a heart when the legs are placed together. A blend of white and ecru tones adds dimension to the sweet slacks, which can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion.
Buy now £140.00, Farfetch
Diesel Akemi Cotton-B Wide Leg jeans
There’s no better way to assert your sartorial status than with Diesel. These plain white jeans may be understated, but they still pack a punch. A mid-rise cut, wide-leg silhouette and a pure white colourway make for an easy-style piece for year-round use.
Buy now £230.00, Matches
Weekend Max Mara Oggeri Embroidered Denim Wide Jeans
White jeans don’t necessarily equate to minimalism. Weekend Max Mara’s Oggeri jeans are peppered with vibrant petals boasting warm rainbow shades. Ideal for summer, the sweet, unorthodox trousers will pull a plain tee and sneakers together with playful sophistication.
Buy now £280.00, Luisa Via Roma
ba&sh Mallou Wide-Leg Jeans
Perfect your South of France aesthetic with a pair of wide-leg jeans. ba&sh’s mid-range trousers exude beachside allure, but can also be worn for chic European city breaks. Evident top-stitched pockets and a loose silhouette radiate 00s cool-girl.
Buy now £114.00, ba&sh
Proenza Schouler Ellsworth Belted Straight-Leg Jeans
Proenza Schouler’s Ellsworth Belted Straight-Leg Jeans are fresh off the spring/summer 2024 runway. A belted design draws the eye to the rich cream hue, space-age silver hardware and high-rise waistband. Slip into some Jil Sander sandals and a long-sleeve T-shirt and you’ve got ‘quiet luxury’ down to an art.
Buy now £410.00, Net-A-Porter
Jigsaw Balfour Long Wide Leg Jean
Embrace sunny Swinging Sixties style with Jigsaw’s Balfour jeans. A loose, wide-leg fit pays homage to the mod connotations of the white trousers, which were adored by the decade’s style icons, from Marilyn Monroe to Bridget Bardot.
Buy now £95.00, Jigsaw
Frame Long Barrel Wide-Leg Jeans
High-quality denim is worth the higher price tag, especially when it’s produced by Frame. The esteemed denim brand has raised the bar with its Long Barrel Wide-Leg jeans, which are also available in casual blue and are carefully cut from rigid denim in a crisp white wash.
Buy now £280.00, Net-A-Porter
Sandro Floral Denim Trousers
Peace, love and Sandro jeans. The French brand piqued our attention with these adorable embroidered trousers, which are punctuated by dainty daisies and peace signs. Perfect for those wanting to radiate flower power, Sandro’s joyful jeans are a hippie statement for spring.
Buy now £117.00, YOOX
