6/13/2008 12:00:00 AM
By Allison Hahn
White jeans are one of those warm-weather staples that can instantly refresh your wardrobe, but they can be tricky to wear. White is known to draw attention, so when you don a pair of white denim make sure the fit is flattering, and we mean from all angles. If you’re not sure, this would be a great time to bring along that very honest friend of yours for a shopping trip. Have her stand square behind you to ensure the pants are flattering.
If the pants feel uber-snug, like it’s hard to sit down, breathe or even walk—go up a size or try another style. The more easy to wear and comfortable the pants, the more use you will get out of them. With that said, look for denim that has a touch of Lycra blended in the fabric. This will allow you to wear a closer fit, but also allow you to move easily in them as well.
Some whites are bright and blinding and look well-suited for Miami Beach paired with bright colors. Other whites are softer and seem to have a more casual feel. When shopping take into consideration where you will be wearing these jeans, and let that guide your selection. Also it’s helpful to visualize where and with what you will wear something before buying it. For instance, if you have a hard time matching it to something already in your wardrobe, chances are the new item will sit in your closet.
One of the hardest things about wearing white is the transparency of the fabric. We’ve all seen it before, a girl in white pants that are so sheer you can make out the pattern on her undergarments. Girls, there’s no reason this should happen to you. Simply invest in nude colored undergarments. There are several shades of nude, but go for a color that matches your skin tone or a bit darker. It’s a good idea to opt for the boy-shorts in nude just to make sure you’re rear is covered.
Also, White pants—even the expensive designer brands—have a tendency to show annoying lines from the back pockets, front pockets, the placket and other seams. Unfortunately, if the pants are lined, as typical with dress pants, you may be out of luck. But, for your everyday white pants you can very carefully cut out the front pockets and sew the pocket hole shut. This will get rid of those horizontal lines that draw attention to your hips and butt. When cutting, be very careful to follow the seam, lest you deconstruct your new pants. If you’re hesitant about doing this yourself, any alterations place will be happy to do it for you for a charge.
Finally, when taking your white pants out for a stroll, always take some Shout Wipes or a handy Tide pen along. If a stain does happen, treat it before it dries on the fabric. If you’re without a Tide Pen or wipe, try to blot the stain out with water.
