Without a doubt, jeans are a pillar of clothing in our wardrobe. It is also the first piece that we recommend buying for anyone who wants to take control of their style.
We generally start with raw jeans, before moving on to their little gray brother. Then, we tend to play with the canvases to complete our stock: thickness, selvedge weave or not, roughness...
That being said, we remain generally in the same color spectrum. In other words, we ultimately bring little variety to our style.
What to do when you want something other than a classic brut? What are the alternatives to white jeans? Is it limited to Italian style? What about faded jeans?
I suggest we look at all these neglected categories.
Because there’s more to life than just indigo!
Tame light jeans...
If they are often not recommended for beginners, it is precisely because they present many pitfalls. Whether we are talking about a white model or a completely bleached blue, I strongly recommend that you remain vigilant on certain points...
A pretty canvas
I know, I know, it seems obvious but I have to insist on it.
Without even talking about jeans as a whole, the first thing to look at is their fabric. On light and/or faded colors, the cheap side of a material is even more marked.
So, don't be afraid to invest a minimum to find a piece that's really worth it.
A suitable cut
As soon as you are on a light piece, it inevitably catches the eye. In this sense, you owe it to yourself to choose it with a perfect cut. Does that necessarily mean semi-slim?
In the case of white jeans, yes, I highly recommend them: the result is more harmonious with a fitted cut.
On faded pieces, you have more freedom at this level.
A fairly fitted cut is essential for white jeans.
Jeans for all body types?
Here too, you have to distinguish between faded and white jeans. If the first do not really pose a problem, I do not recommend the second for the strongest among us . White tends to accentuate unsightly parts of our body and draw attention to them.
How to wear light jeans?
White/beige jeans
How can we not talk about white jeans without talking about Italian style?
Let's look at Luca first. To calm the "strength" of his jeans, he completes them with a brown shades - between his jacket and his shoes - which frames the outfit. Generally speaking, white pants lend themselves well to earth tones: the mix is harmonious and remains balanced. For his friend seated to his left, it's a different story. We again find a form of monochrome, this time oscillating between the blue (shirt, shoes, tie) and the mauve of the jacket. In my opinion, this is where the problem lies: with white jeans, only opt for “soft” colors, especially nothing garish.
Precisely, all the shades are soft at the moment. There is no contrast that is not too marked: the beige of the jacket remains close to the pants in its lightness, where the shirt and shoes are blue. We are still on a much more relaxed version of the Italian style, far from the flamboyance of Pitti! In the same spirit and if this lighter approach appeals to you, look at the looks of Alessandro Squarzi. Luca won't blame you.
This is all well and good, but are white pants only worn in this type of style? Can it exist outside of transalpine philosophy? Let's look at this.
White jeans will also be highlighted by gray pieces, the “temperate” color par excellence. The opposition between the very elegant woolen cloth coat and the sweatshirt gives body to the whole. It is this sum of contrasts that makes the outfit interesting.
More simply, white jeans can be worn with a t-shirt (needless to say, they don't have to be white either). We find the white/earth shades combo, with a completely different interpretation: the streetwear influences are much more marked here. A certain casualness emerges from the outfit. This is supported by several elements: the short leg of the jeans (we speak of "cropped jeans"), the rolled sleeves of the t-shirt, the accessories (hat and glasses)... This look is all the more special that it ends with white shoes. If this step seems complicated to you, no worries, colorful sneakers will do the trick!
Patterned blue shirt, burgundy knit, camel coat, white jeans, not to mention the many accessories and socks... It's hard to believe it on paper, we'd call it too much . In this case, however, it works very well. Dark skin tones shouldn't be afraid to wear pieces that are bold in color , quite the contrary!
And the full white look in all this?
We can imagine building an all-white look. Don't be afraid to attract attention
In this case, avoid using the same shade of white: a white/beige/cream shades will be more subtle.
Jeans, shirt, sneakers and blazer: all the pieces are white. It then becomes important to vary the shades if you want to avoid the “chalk stick” look. Despite everything, this remains a hazardous exercise. (Credits: He Spoke Style)
Faded and bleached jeans
We often advise against faded jeans because:
- they are far from being a priority compared to a gray or a raw,
- some artificial washes can look very cheap, even vulgar.
I won't tell you about the ones that simply imitate the ridges on the pockets or the wear on the knees: if you find a well-made one, go for it, they will be worn like naturally faded jeans. No problem then.
Here, we will mainly focus on bleached jeans . Those whose canvas has been faded over almost its entire surface, with a real bias towards the final color .
Unlike its white counterpart, it is resolutely casual and fits almost exclusively into casual outfits. We can obviously play on sartorial influences - we'll see it in the first look - but you have to keep in mind that you will wear it in a relaxed way three-quarters of the time.
Blazer and shirt VS jeans: this is a classic casual chic combination. That being said, given the marked design of the jeans, it is better to opt for a casual shirt (you can still question the buttoned collar over the tie). Boots, as usual with this type of look, are a good in-between. Special mention for the use of the beret, an accessory that very few dare (here for a reminder on how to choose a headgear ).
In this look, the color of the canvas brings real originality. There are shades of verdigris, which are quite rare on jeans. Another twist lies in the cuts chosen, all quite wide: they give off a vintage impression. Finally, note the pale pink sweater, finally integrated without difficulty. As the warm weather approaches, don't be afraid to explore new palettes.
Bleached gray jeans are easier to wear: you end up with a light gray shade, nuanced, which goes with almost everything. The worn look of heavily faded jeans goes well with looks with an "adventurer" spirit, like here with the khaki waxed cotton jacket. It's also the kind of piece with which you can more easily get away with black shoes (brown boots would also be appropriate, taking on the same raw influences).
In an outfit made up only of basics, bleached jeans will definitely stand out. It's also a good way to enhance an ensemble that may seem too simple, thanks to the work on the canvas.
With such a pale shade, no problem integrating other blue elements. By the way, wearing a shirt as an overshirt is a relevant option, especially when its material has a certain grain.
What about colored jeans?
From time to time, we see certain brands offering colored jeans (green or camel, in particular).
In principle, why not, it allows for a little variety. That said, for colored pants, it is especially chinos that you will find what you are looking for.
Our selection: where to buy light jeans?
White jeans
Just about every denim brand offers white models. Nicolò especially recommends those from Boggi and De Fursac , well cut and balanced.
Bleached jeans
Please note, not all washes are successful. There are still things that are worth it:
- April 77 : good value for money without being transcendent. Especially suitable for slim physiques.
- Nudie : faded jeans in different styles, something to choose from according to your tastes.
- Edwin and his very workwear interpretations of bleached jeans.
- Editions MR : a model with a vintage side, a bit like a modern version of “dad jeans”.
- APC which we no longer present.
- Denham : Dutch brand which does very beautiful work on the canvases.
- Acne : beautiful washes available in several cuts.
- RRL , vintage line from Ralph Lauren . We have reached a great level, both in terms of quality and manufacturing and in terms of price...
The final word...
Raw denim is our best friend, closely followed by gray denim. That said, it can also be refreshing to explore other palettes to advance your style.
White jeans, widely favored by fans of Italian style, have strong stylistic potential. Contrary to what one might believe, it is however far from being solely reserved for sprezzatura e tutti quanti .
In another register, bleached fabrics are also an interesting option, introducing new shades.
To go further, don't hesitate to (re)read Luca's article on Italian style , as well as the one on how to wear color . If you need a more general reminder about jeans, it's here .
And you, are you a fan of white jeans? How do you wear it? What do you think of bleached fabrics? Tell us about it in the comments!
