I found the BEST white jeans ever (after trying on 15 brands!!!)

I tried on 15 different pairs of skinny white jeans before I found the keeper. 

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I know that there aren’t really rules around fashion (a few friends of mine only wear their white jeans from Memorial day-Labor day, but there aren’t rules in my book), but I tend to not wear my white jeans until March. Mostly because if I put them on and then the weather dips back down into the 30s, my warm-weather-loving heart can’t handle it. I busted out my white jeans out a couple weeks ago and last week, we had a morning that was 37 degrees. But I survived. And, as you’ll see below, I have been known to wear my white jeans in the winter since they are really so cute with a sweater. I especially love white jeans with pastel sweaters!

And since you know I’m a stickler for getting ready every day, even when working from home, this is a great option to mix up your usual denim or your WFH athleisure wardrobe.

I’ve always thought that white jeans looked SO cute – on other people.

Year after year, I would try on a pair in the spring and feel so frustrated since they looked AWFUL on me. I couldn’t figure it out! They made me look MUCH heavier than I actually am or showed every imperfection or just looked frumpy. They all looked terrible, even the ones from brands that I typically love. So I made it my mission a few years ago to find a pair of white jeans that I loved.

Naturally, I ordered FIFTEEN pairs to try on and compare. (Only from places with good return policies of course!!!) And I finally found a WINNER–– and now, years later, I have multiple pairs of white jeans from that winning brand for some variety (and because the styles I first bought are no longer made). Today I’m sharing the styles I have and recommend in this post!

And the Best White Jeans Ever award goes to… MADEWELL!!!!

Outfit linked here

Best White Skinny Jeans

The first pair I bought was this skinny jean in white tile. It’s their classic, high waisted skinny jean, but it looks like they’re starting to make alternative styles, since I can’t find this exact style fully stocked or full price anywhere, which makes me think they’re going to be sold out once sizes are gone. The most similar style to this one is called the “9″ Mid-Rise Skinny Crop Jeans in Pure White“. The updated pair has a slightly shorter inseam, but only by one inch, making them a mid-rise.

Updated jean, similar top

Updated jean, top

Madewell white jeans (updated style) | similar off the shoulder top | blue flats

And the second pair I bought..

The Cali Demi Bootcut in white

This is another style that I believe is being discontinued, but the updated version is just as cute. When shopping this spring, you’ll want to look for the Kick Out Crop Jeans in Pure White which is a super similar style with a crop flare at the ankles. The pure white color is a bright white, which feels super crisp and clean. I love this shade for the warmer months.

These are slim fitting through the hip and top of the leg, then cropped and have a slight flare at the bottom. They’re also a high waisted jean. I tend to pull this style out more often than the skinny pair since the cropped cut is a little trendier at the moment. I have a size 25P in both pair and they fit great (for reference, I’m 5″1 and 115-120 lbs). I’d stick to your true size for the right fit.

 Updated jeans, similar pullover, sneakers

Updated jeans, similar top, sneakers

These are all the brands of white jeans I ordered and tried on:

1. Madewell
2. Gap
3. J.Crew
4. Joe’s
5. Hudson
6. 7 for All Mankind
7. Levi’s
8. Boden
9. Frame
10. Articles of Society
11. DL 1961
12. J. Brand (not made anymore!)
13. Paige
14. AG

I currently own or have owned denim pants from all of these brands in the past so I knew I loved them, but it took trying a bunch of white jeans to find a pair that worked for me. I’m petite at 5’1″ and curvier than most petite frames since I have decent sized quads and glutes from running & lifting. So it was hard to find a pair that fit me well.

If you struggle to find cute white jeans for women, I highly recommend trying on a BUNCH. There was a clear winner in my book. (I ordered the majority from Nordstrom since they have an amazing return policy and we don’t have a Nordstrom in Winston. And some I bought directly from the site, including Gap, J.Crew and Boden.)

Why I love the Madewell Skinny white jeans

They’re the perfect shade of white, not too tight, not too loose, not too thin and not see through (which was shockingly common with many pairs, yikes). Since I prefer a high-rise or high waist, that’s the route I went, but they also have a mid-rise option (fully stocked!!) however, those styles are almost sold out. Madewell makes so many pairs of white jeans that aren’t skinny too. I’m currently eyeing their Stovepipe Jeans in Pure White for a classic straight fit. These are also high rise jeans.

Most Flattering White Jeans

Honestly, they’re just the most flattering white jeans I’ve found. I love that they are stretchy and easy to wear throughout an entire day, but they don’t stretch out and loose their shape, which is a common issue I’ve found with other jeans. These look great from the minute I put them on until the minute I take them off! They’re made with organic cotton, so you can feel great about how they’re made too.

I always recommend having your jeans tailored so that they fit your height perfectly. There’s nothing better than a pair of pants that fits you like a glove. Especially if you plan to wear them all season! If you are petite (5’4″ and below) I suggest the petite inseam. I like my skinny jeans to hit just above my ankle bone. These have a zip fly instead of a button fly, which I prefer.

They certainly weren’t the most expensive jeans I ordered, so that was a major plus too. They’re also sold at Nordstrom, so if you are a card holder, this is a great place to purchase.

Updated jean, similar top

Here are some mirror selfie shots too!

Updated jean, top

Updated jeans, similar top, similar blue flats

Why I love the Madewell Cali Demi Bootcut jeans 

*I’m linking to the new version, called the Kick Out Crop*

These are a little trendier right now, for good reason! Skinny jeans are classic, but this new cropped style is super flattering, especially on someone petite like me! I actually found lots of non-skinny jeans I love last year. These are similar to flare jeans, but with a crop at the ankle, making them different than traditional bootcut styles. They’re a sort of hybrid between a cropped flare and boot cut, which is currently my favorite style of jeans (and seems to be the trend now too). They have a slim straight fit through the top which widens towards the bottom.

These are the same perfect shade of white (not cream, ecru, or ivory..if you’re looking for off-white jeans, these are not the pair for you) as the skinny pair, not too tight in the thigh or in general, not too loose, not too thin and also not see through. If you are petite (5’4″ and below) I suggest the petite inseam, here. I like my cropped straight leg jeans (or in this case, demi bootcut or kick out crop) it hit above my ankle. This is currently my favorite pair of jeans in my closet because they’re a stretch denim that feels great all day. They’re just the perfect pair of jeans,

Here are some photos! The first photo is the new version, and you’ll notice that the only difference is that the newer pair is a little longer. If you prefer a shorter crop, like the older pair, then I’d recommend having them hemmed. I prefer the new version.

Here are some photos in the older pair — so that you can have an idea for how to style your cropped white jeans.

Updated jeans | Similar top | Similar Jacket | Earrings | Shoes

Updated jeans, similar pullover, sneakers

Updated jeans, similar top, sneakers

Updated jeans, similar top, sneakers

How to style white jeans

I feel like white jeans are just as versatile as dark jeans. They’re cute with sweaters, blouses, patterned tanks, a chambray, or even paired with a white tank for an all-white look.  I don’t typically pair them with a fitted top (and I’m not really a crop top girl), and find I’m more drawn to flowy or loose blouses. But, experiment and see what you like best!

Updated jean, similar top

Updated jeans, similar top, sneakers

Updated jeans, similar pullover, sneakers

Updated jean, top

Jeans | Top (similar) | Shoes (similar)

Jeans | Top (similar) | Shoes (similar)

White Jeans | Sweater (similar) | Loafers

My Jeans | White Tank | Heels (similar)

Jeans | Top (similar)| Shoes (similar)

Jeans | Chambray Shirt | Shoes (similar) | Sunglasses

Madewell has a few other styles of white jeans I’m hoping to try this spring:

• The Perfect Vintage Wide-Leg Crop Jean in Tile White – I won’t know if I like wide leg jeans until I try them on, especially because I have a petite frame (I’m 5’1″). But these are on my list since I think they’d be a fun casual white jean option this spring AND they make a petite size.

Before I finish, I did want to note a few brands that I did NOT try, but I’ve recently loved in other washes. Good American denim makes one of my favorite pair of blue jeans (a dark skinny jean), so I’d love to try their white denim. I’d also love to try MOTHER Denim’s white jeans, since I love their other styles.

I’d also like to try this pair of effortlessly cool Spanx pants. I LOVE Spanx, so I have a feeling I’d love these.

What’s your favorite brand of white jeans? And am I the only one who seriously struggled to find a good pair?!?

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Madewell white jeans | J.Crew chambray top | Blue flats (similar)