Ask Belle: Quality White Denim
Apr 27, 2015
Hi Belle,
I’m on a never-ending search for the perfect white skinny jeans. Namely, I’m looking for some that aren’t see-through and are soft (for some reason, I’ve come across a number of pairs that are very stiff). I’d prefer if their price point was $100 or less, but I’m willing to spend up to $150’ish for the perfect pair. Do you have any recommendations?
Thanks, Sarah
A word of advice on white jeans: If you plan to wear them frequently, you should buy the best quality jean that you can afford. Less expensive jeans will often be thin, and get thinner when washed. If you’re looking for higher quality jeans for less, try stores like 6pm.com, Nordstrom Rack, etc.
These jeans from AG are my favorite. They have a high Lycra content, so they stretch to fit. I also like the higher waist for holding me in. If the high-rise isn’t your bag, Nordstrom has the AG legging jean sale-priced at $117. I also recommend their Angel bootcut jeans.
AG has the softest denim that I’ve ever encountered. They’re aged to mimic vintage jeans.
Looking for an under-$100 jean that isn’t paper-thin? There are two brands I would look into: Kut from the Kloth and NYDJ. I’ve tried on their jeans and they’re made from a heavier material than most inexpensive jeans.
Have a pair of white jeans to recommend? Leave them in the comments.
Talbot’s never fails me. I have a pair of their white jeans. Love them!
I buy all my jeans, including white, from American Eagle and they hold up really well and aren’t thin at all.
YESSS My white jeans from American Eagle are thick and really nice quality. You just have to ignore the fact that everyone else shopping there is a teen.
I vouch for Kut from the Kloth. Just bought a pair of white Diana skinny jeans and love them. They have the higher rise and they aren’t skin-tight. Bought them on sale at Macys.
Angie from youlookfab.com recently posted about being more impressed with Kut from the Kloth than more expensive brands. https://youlookfab.com/2015/04/20/an-unexpected-end-to-my-search-for-white-flared-jeans/
That style isn’t what you’re looking for, but sounds like a good recommendation for the brand in general.
I have a pair of J.Crew boyfriend/distressed white jeans that have held up nicely. They aren’t see-through and are very comfortable. If you want a slimmer fit, I’d recommend sizing down.
Last summer I lived in a pair I got at JCrew Factory- not see thru, ankle length. No stretch tho.
Belle, I was wondering if you encountered the same problem with the white AG Farrah jeans that I did. I’m in LOVE with those jeans, so when Bloomingdales had their friends & family sale I jumped at the chance to get the white ones on sale. I found them to be extremely see-through and not denim material at all. Did you feel the same way?
I have recently become a fan of Level 99 jeans. Soft, stretchy and very comfortable skinny jeans. I have purchased both pairs I own through Stitch Fix, but I think they are also sold through Anthropologie. $108. I don’t own a white pair…yet.
Lucky “Lolita” White Jeans – the softest things I have ever felt, and the perfect thickness. https://www.luckybrand.com/lolita-skinny/803049409496.html
I have a great pair from the Limited. Soft and stretchy, and I’m pretty sure they were only around $40-50.
I bought a pair of white LOFT jeans for the first time at their last sale and was pleasantly surprised at how my black underwear did not show through. I can’t speak for how well they will hold up over time, but I’m willing to take a chance for $35!
I have this pair from James Jeans and I love them. They don’t stretch out and they aren’t too low rise. They are ever so slightly transparent, but not enough to show anything. I have a pair of Paige bootcut in white that perfectly opaque, but stretched only in the thighs so I don’t recommend those.
https://jamesjeans.us/james-twiggy-8704
I second the recommendation for the James Jeans Twiggy. My sister convinced me to buy a pair in dark denim a while back, I initially balked at the price, but now I don’t wear anything else. Including the white fabric, which is opaque enough that I never worry about visible panty lines. They’re also very soft (I can’t stand stiff, restrictive jeans). I found that they run true to size (e.g., size 4 = 27/28, size 6 = 28/29, size 8 = 29/30, etc.)
I love Kut from the Kloth! Their denim is a nice quality and the fits are great.
Ages ago, I read an interview with Patricia Herrera (daughter of Carolina), in which she recommended skinny cream-colored corduroys. Sorry I can’t find the link! I bought some and was hooked immediately. In my experience, they tend to be softer, stretchier, and more forgiving than white denim of the same weight. My current favorites were purchased from J.Crew two summers ago, and I even found a maternity pair that ended up as one of my staples until late in my third trimester.
Paige skyline….AMAZE
I have two pairs of white Kut from Kloth jeans that I love. Got them at Nordstrom.
Boden jeans are really good, and under $100. I got a pair on end-of-season sale last year for $30, but even at $75-$80 they are still a great value.
Second the recommendation for Boden’s white jeans. I have the straight leg from a few summers ago, as I don’t want true skinny jeans in white. Enough lycra to be comfy, but don’t stretch out. Thick enough to not show pockets or undies. Soft without feeling like leggings or being too delicate for playing with my dog.
I’ve been coveting Joe’s Jeans Stay Spotless line of stain-resistant white denim because liquid just beads up and rolls off the fabric, but alas, I won’t buy because they’re not available in petite. (Simply hemming doesn’t work because the overall proportions are still off.) If another reader tries them, please report back!
Plus Size White Jeans – I love my ankle white jeans from Not Your Daughter’s Jeans. Nice and thick, they hold everything in, and keep their shape well.
Genetic denim has great white options – I have the Shya cut in Snow. Great fit and super soft, durable denim quality. https://www.geneticlosangeles.com/store/best-sellers/shya-skinny-7.html?color=snow
(Eva Chen from Lucky has been spotted wearing them, too!).
I love Genetic for their great size range (they actually go down to 23), unlike a lot of lines. Genetic and Rag & Bone are my two go-tos.
I love Kut from the Kloth jeans, but a surprising source for nice quality denim for me has been from CAbi. They actually have a white skinny jean right now that is around the same price point as the other brands that have been mentioned. I have three pairs of different CAbi denim, all at least 2 years old and have worn really well. This is a trunk show driven line, so I think you have to jump through a few hoops to order them, but I’ve been impressed with the quality, for the price. http://www.cabionline.com
[…] am eying the AG Farrah jeans, which have been described by Belle as being her holy grail of […]
[…] am eying the AG Farrah jeans, which have been described by Belle as being her holy grail of […]