How to: 3 ways to wear white jeans for men

Now that Memorial Day has come and gone, the summer whites can officially come out of hibernation and back into wardrobe rotation. White pants for men have over the last few years become a mainstay as a stylish statement for bold daytime city looks and laid back beach vibes.

One pair of white jeans will get you a lot of mileage: white denim is extremely versatile, so it can be dressed up or down depending on the rest of the outfit. Here, I partnered with Neiman Marcus and ShopStyle to put together three different looks featuring the same pair of white AG jeans to illustrate how to take one of summer’s best trends from the beach to brunch and just about everywhere else.

You don’t have to wait until casual Friday (is that still a thing?) to take your white denim to work. White jeans are a blank canvas onto which you can build a dapper look– think of them like your go-to grey trousers that pair with nearly everything. A windowpane blazer from Hugo Boss and a dark navy dress shirt elevate the style quotient while the accessories take this up a notch further. The formality of the double monk shoes contrasts nicely with the denim and make this outfit appropriate for daytime business or a dinner party where you want to impress. Wear this and you’ll be fielding invitations to polo matches all summer.

For that in-between, meeting friends for brunch, shopping in SoHo or just casually kicking it, white jeans pair well with knits. Here I went for a matching monochrome look with a cashmere blend sweater and white lace-up sneakers. You cold get the same laid-back effect with an untucked oxford or chambray shirt.

Photography by Stefano Cracolici with a Nikon D800 & Sponsored by Neiman Marcus and ShopStyle

The last look is the most relaxed. This is great if you’re chilling in Central Park, bumming around the beach or just hanging out. You can treat your white jeans like your favorite pair of joggers and pair with any tank or t-shirt you have around. I like a contrasted look in solid colors to give a bit of a refined, classic feel. I matched navy suede espadrilles from Vince with the tank, then chose a straw hat and a few bracelets.

When shopping for a pair of white denim, of course choose the cut that is most flattering for your body. Some general rules and notes are that a slim, tapered (but not tightly fitted) jean will be most versatile to be dressed up or down.

*I went sock-less in all three looks. As a personal preference, I am not a fan of socks unless absolutely necessary and white denim and socks don’t pair well, especially if you’re rolling the cuff. Go for a pair of no-show socks if you’ve got sweaty feet, otherwise just ditch them all together.

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