AS the clocks go forward at the weekend, whatever the weather, that signals the start of spring and a big change to your denim.
For those that are accident prone, or constantly dealing with children’s sticky fingers – this is your warning, white jeans are back.
The denim underdog comes with lots of connotations, both good and bad.
When I think of white jeans my mind takes me to style icons like Jackie Onassis and actress Ali MacGraw wearing kick flares with a headscarf in some idyllic fishing town in Greece. All very romantic and elegant.
Or I think of the noughties and no one could escape them.
Liz Hurley who was never far away from a pair, Kate Middleton‘s early fame days and Towie girls like Sam Faiers who off-set the stark white with Rimmel’s orangest fake tan.
And whilst many of us (and when I say us I of course mean myself) couldn’t keep bottle tan and orange Reef stains off our jeans, we realised that they spent more time in the wash than on our legs – and when they were on they highlighted every lump, bump and dimple.
So we put our white denims in the noughties hall of shame like many trends from that time.
Now, the humble trouser is reclaiming its more stylish and sophisticated glory years and this time round the on-trend cuts will flatter – and we’re mature enough to wear them.
As reliable and comforting as your go-to blue pairs, nothing will lift your wardrobe outfits like a pair of white jeans.
They refresh not only your old clothes but your skin too by brightening your complexion.
Think of it as a clean slate for your looks.
And the good news is, they’re not the noughties, skin-tight and cellulite revealing styles we remember with deep trauma.
There are a huge variety of styles on the high street to suit your age and needs to make looking stylish this spring so easy.
30s – STRAIGHT
Millennials live and die by the jeans-and-a-nice-top rule, and a straight leg is a perfect jean to dress up with a nice top or dress down with a plain T-shirt.
They are forgiving around the hips and thighs, whilst not too tight. You have room to move but they’re not shapeless.
As actress Letitia Wright, 32, proved at Milan fashion week in February that this is a classic silhouette that won’t date – unlike those spray on noughties.
This style can be elevated to a luxury look by being paired with monochrome tones.
40s – WIDE LEG
If you’re in your forties don’t take the wideleg jean to mean the baggy, oversized wide styles that teenagers wear.
Instead, think of a stylish and subtle flare that is high waisted to hold you in and hug your hips, but also lengthen your legs. This is a sophisticated take on jeans.
Take fashion cues from actress Anne Hathaway, 43, who was spotted in a pair of wide leg white denims paired with a bold leopard print coat in Milan earlier this month.
50s – BARREL
If you’re in your 50s and still flirting with the idea of barrel jeans then make the leap and go for white for spring.
Singer Louise Redknapp, 50, styled hers in April 2025 with tonal caramel and tan shades creating a chic and summery outfit without the need to be in a skimpy sundress.
They look effortless and cool with slip-on shoes or even as Louise shows, amazing with a stiletto.
The high waist naturally draws attention to the smallest part of your torso and as they are wider through the hips and thighs, slightly tapering at the ankle, they balance the top half of your body for a symmetrical shape that’s comfortable and modern.
60s + – TAILORED
Comfort becomes non-negotiable as we get older, but that doesn’t mean defaulting to shapeless denim.
Baggy jeans can quickly look a bit undone, whereas tailoring gives you the best of both worlds – ease exactly where you need it without sacrificing polish.
The subtle structure of tailored jeans pulls everything together, elevating even the simplest outfit.
Just look at Julianne Moore, 65, who got it spot on in London last June.
Her trousers weren’t tight, but structured with a crisp centre pleat that instantly smartened the look. Paired with a simple grey tee and heels, she still looked effortlessly chic and proof that good tailoring does all the hard work for you.
High street, £25, Tu at Sainsbury’s
