White jeans, forever
Photographed by Liz McCaulay for the Telegraph
What is that nonsense about Labor Day? White jeans are a perennial favourite. Great in summer teamed with a loose cotton shirt and leather sandals; pull on a cashmere sweater, ankle boots and a leopard print coat for the cooler months. Year. Round. Style. Without the prescriptive rules. This is my Ines de la Fressange in Provençe look (I wrote about it for my Ageless Style column in the Telegraph HERE). ‘My style in the city is more or less the same as my style in the country,’ IdlF has said. I don’t have a second home, but I can get behind that. White jeans with a slightly cropped length (or rolled-up hem) look eternally chic. See also the elegant camel and white colour palette – a pleasing combination that gives an outfit the impression of being more expensive than it actually is. The white jeans and shirt pictured here probably cost about £70, in total. The shirt was £55 from Arket earlier this year; as I’ve mentioned before, the Scandi brand’s cotton poplin shirts wash well and wear well – and the jeans were from the Gap sale rail about 18 years ago. When I was a fashion editor and Gap was good. These are my own clothes and this is one of my favourite Ageless Style outfits, highlighting the importance of knowing your style and feeling comfortable and confident in what you wear. Experimenting with softer shades of coffee and tan is a recent phenomenon and I’m wondering if this is exponentially linked to the amount of café latte, I consume…
The posh straw basket and now vastly-reduced sandals ( I do love a slingback) in the photo are from LK Bennett. The drop earrings are Branch Jewellery. More Provençal chic here:
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Discussion (38 Comments)
Louise says:
I love the color combos. Nice sandals. I wonder if light grey is an o.k. substitute for white?
Juliet says:
Beautiful – it looks so good on you, and white is a fantastic colour for a lot of women as they get older, it adds a light glow to most skin if worn up top…. If worn on the lower half it just lifts everything and looks so fresh
carole b says:
Love the colour palette, Alyson, looks amazing with your hair. I use it a lot, too – more often in the summer/autumn, so the idea of winter styling with a (faux) skin coat is really helpful… I like the addition of a small amount of a coral red – could be jewellery, or one of the colours in a bag, or red slingbacks. Or pale blue/denim. Timeless style, absolutely. Where are the earrings from?
The ‘shaped drop earrings’ are from Branch Jewellery. I’ll add that info and a link to the piece, Carole.
Kate Hampshire says:
It suits you, but I can’t wear camel near my face so I do camel trousers and a white linen shirt. Same look really!
Fiona says:
I love white Jeans! My stylish friend arrived for coffee this week, distanced and in the garden. My very friendly dog was so excited to see her. Sadly the grass was still wet. She left with beautifully embellished, dog- print white jeans. Luckily she has a dog herself and was very gracious about it.
Eugenie O'Brien says:
Love this , camel , cofee white and cream always look so chic together. Its a classic colour combination which I’ve always loved although some consider it too safe and boring but I dont think it ever goes out of style . Love your column.
Jackie says:
You’re looking great in this Alison.
I was just about to pack my white jeans away. I’ve never worn them at this time of year but I’m going to have a go and have a ‘leopard’ coat.
I’m excited to try
But need advice about footwear. Would DM’s / brogues or brown ankle boots be best??mrsglimmer says:
Love this post. You suit the colour of this shirt, Alyson. Really brings out the blue in your lovely eyes! Earrings are just perfect too.
Jean from NYC says:
Cool, timeless, gorgeous; the whole color scheme is like viewing a Rothko painting.
Hilary says:
I find I wear white jeans mostly this time of year as it’s too hot for jeans in the Summer but now I want Summer feeling clothes before I delve back into Winter things.
I live your colour combo – you look great. I alsoI love your telegraph column which has inspired me to buy their Saturday paper. Always good to get some differing views.Sara says:
Mrsglimmer’s comment got me thinking. I’ve not worn my lovely long earrings since growing my hair but she’s absolutely right. Think I’ll get them out, dust them down and emulate the Alyson look! To go with the inestimable white jean, of course. Excellent look!
I adore my white jeans. I also have a fabulous pair of white pants, gab w/a little stretch. straight leg, just above the angle, low wide waist. With white you can dress it up or down.
Love your blog and style.Alex says:
Love that shirt colour on you! Absolutely beautiful combination.
Got myself some thunderous covid thighs right now, so won’t be going near white jeans for a while.
The Labor day rule is some dreamed up elitist American twaddleLove that shirt colour on you! Absolutely beautiful combination.
Got myself some thunderous covid thighs right now, so won’t be going near white jeans for a while.
The Labor day rule is some dreamed up elitist American twaddle .Ali says:
Oh how I would love to wear these again! They look great on you! But with a black dog; 2 grandkids with grubby paws; and (before lock down! ) travelling on public transport that’s even grubbier than the grandkids it ain’t happening!!
Robyn says:
Try using I think it’s made by Clorox but they’re stain wipes. They really work. Try Oxyclean as well. My daughter swears by the Laundress for whites. I’ve had one pair of jeans for over 5 years and still holding strong. Also I wear an older pair for more “ active” days and and a newer pair for out and about.
Valleycat1 says:
I have tried over the decades to wear jeans or trousers in something other than dark colors, because I love the look.. Every single time I buy khakis, white, or other light colors I get an indelible stain on them within the first few wearings. For some reason it doesn’t happen in dark colors , and it isn’t a matter of stains not being as visible, they truly are not there.
MaureenC says:
I love my white jeans particularly on sunny days in spring and autumn. The only trouble is that the decision to wear them seems to be accompanied by an overwhelming urge to throw food and drink over myself, particularly if meal involves tomatoes, red wine or coffee.
maudie says:
Oh goodo – I can get my white jeans out again! I normally put mine away at the end of August – always late to the party, me! I think your skin looks amazing in this photo – really glowy and healthy. You have such a lovely ‘plump in a good way’ face whereas mine has collapsed and dips in all over the place. ps Are those sandals REALLY your choice?
Karen says:
Great outfit, as mentioned above, the shirt colour suits you very well. Your eyes & hair look amazing!
Mrs Tonia says:
Looks good on you Alyson here but never white jeans for me. I last worn some white Levi jeans as a lithe teenager.
The palest I go in trousers is beige chinos or khaki or olive linen or cotton trousers. Hoping to keep wearing both while weather stays warm. They go with every shade as a basic.Claire says:
Very low key glamorous – love this outfit! I recommend Vanish for spills and stains, usually gets just about anything out.
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This is strange as I’d just posted about buying a pair of white jeans and up pops your post! I have bought a cheap-ish pair of skinny frayed hem white jeans. I’m looking forward to styling them despite being a large plus sizer! You look fab in yours as always x I’ll be taking inspiration from your blog as always, stay safe xo