Last month I tried on 36 pairs of jeans to find four worth keeping, and I was so happy to hear how helpful that post was for so many of you. (You can read it here if you missed it!)
This month I set out to find the best white jeans… which led to trying on another 19 pairs to narrow it down to just four with the perfect fit.
White jeans can be hard! Some were completely see-through. Some were stiff in all the wrong places. A few would probably look better on a straighter frame or someone taller. But a small handful were so good I know I’ll be living in them all spring and summer (we definitely don’t wait until Memorial Day around here!).
The best white jeans for women
For reference, I’m 5’1” and typically wear a size 26. I have hips and a midsection that’s carried four babies, so comfortable stretch is a non-negotiable for me. My reviews will likely be most helpful if you’re 5’4” and under, but I’ve noted which pairs ran long on me, which style I plan to hem, and which brands come in longer inseams for taller frames.
Out of 19 pairs, eight made it into my “maybe” pile — and four earned a permanent spot in my closet. Below you’ll find my honest review of each pair as well as measurements for rise, inseam, and leg opening!
The 4 most flattering pairs of white jeans I’m keeping
1. MOTHER Petites Lil’ Hustler Ankle Fray Jeans
No surprise here — these are the white version of the blue pair I kept in last month’s denim try-on and the fit and stretch of these are just as flattering. The 25.5″ inseam is perfect on me at 5’1″ and the petite cut means a higher knee placement and shorter rise for perfect proportions on anyone 5’4″ and under. These are a more casual pair with a frayed hem — perfect for everyday mom life with a pair of ballet flats or sneakers. Here’s the regular version if you’re taller than 5’4″!
10 5/8″ rise
25 1/2″ inseam
16 1/4″ leg opening
2. Pistola Penny Crop High Waist Raw Hem Wide Leg Jeans
I first fell in love with these jeans between my third and fourth pregnancies and couldn’t wait to reorder them in my regular size. This silhouette is just the perfect wide leg crop for petites, in a soft stretch denim that has a good amount of stretch but doesn’t feel baggy by the end of the day. I love that the clean front (no front pockets) makes for a sleek waistline, and the raw hem makes them easy to cut if you want a slighter shorter inseam. Sizing note: I would order a size down in this style — I’m wearing a size 26 in every other pair in this post but these are a 25.
12″ rise
27″ inseam
21″ leg opening
3. Madewell Short Flare Crop Jean in Super Stretch Denim
A new favorite everyday pair at an excellent price point. A flattering kick flare with a finished hem that comes in short, regular, and tall inseams — the 25″ inseam of the short pair is ideal for me at 5’1″.
10″ rise
25″ inseam
19″ leg opening
4. FRAME Pixie Icon High Waist Flare Jeans Petite
My fourth keeper pair in a more exaggerated true flare that I plan to have hemmed an inch or two as the 28″ inseam is a little long for me to wear with flats and I rarely wear a heel with white jeans. The stretch denim on these is so comfortable, and the high rise and flared leg opening are perfect for balancing out a petite frame with hips.
10″ rise
28″ inseam
22″ leg opening
4 more pairs of white jeans I also liked
5. FRAME Reboot High Waist Ankle Bootcut Jeans
I was torn between keeping this pair and the Frame Pixie Icon pair above as I knew I’d need to hem either one and ultimately went with the above for a slightly different look than the first and third pairs on this list. That said these were extremely soft and comfortable and could be an absolute home run if you’re just a couple inches taller than I am (5’1″)!
11″ rise
27″ inseam
17″ leg opening
6. Joe’s Jeans Callie Jeans
I absolutely loved the fit of these, but ultimately decided the denim was a little too see-through for my liking. You can see the outline of the pockets pretty clearly, and while you’d be totally fine as long as you wear them with nude underwear, if you often wear white jeans with a tucked in shirt like I do, I would probably skip these and go with the similar Madewell pair above.
9.75″ rise
25.5″ inseam
16.25″ leg opening
7. Madewell Petite Emmy Wide-Leg Jean in Tile White
A really flattering wide leg that had me torn between keeping these and the Pistola pair above. They were floor length on me even in the shorter inseam so I would have had to hem them, and I ultimately decided I prefer the clean front of the Pistola pair above to the patch pocket on these.
10.75″ rise
26.75″ inseam
20.75″ leg opening
8. Paige Marlow High Waist Raw Hem Ankle Skimmer Flare Jeans
These were so comfortable and quite flattering, but the pronounced flare felt a little too dressy for my everyday needs as a mom of four. If you’re on the taller side and/or looking for white jeans to wear with heels, these would be a great choice!
11″ rise
28″ inseam
23″ leg opening
11 PAIRS OF WHITE JEANS THAT DIDN’T WORK FOR ME
Trying on this many pairs taught me that white jeans vary wildly in terms of opacity, stretch, and cut — and that what works on a 5’9″ model rarely translates to a 5’1″ frame. Below are quick notes on each pair I returned in case they might work better for your body type!
Regular length version of my new favorite white jeans
9. MOTHER THE HUSTLER ANKLE FRAY JEANS
The non-petite version of my first keeper pair above — if you’re taller than 5’4″, I imagine these are a perfect casual pair for everyday wear!
Straight leg white jeans I tried
10. MADEWELL THE LONGLINE STRAIGHT JEAN IN TILE WHITE
I’ve learned that I prefer a kick flare or a wide leg to a straight leg on my body type, but if you like the look of these, I would try ordering your smaller size for a less baggy fit.
11. JOE’S JEANS LEAH ANKLE STRAIGHT LEG JEANS
A loose-fitting straight leg that would probably be better on a more narrow frame.
12. MOTHER LIL’ KICK IT HIGH WAIST STRAIGHT LEG JEANS (PETITE)
A straight leg from Mother’s petite line, but the inseam was 30″ so I imagine anyone petite would have to wear with a heel? Maybe worth a try if you’re closer to 5’4″ or 5’5″.
White jeans for tall frames
13. JOE’S JEANS CROSBIE MID RISE WIDE LEG JEANS
Definitely not cut for petites but could be very flattering if you’re 5’8″ or taller (or want to dress up with a very high heel).
14. FRAME SLIM PALAZZO JEANS
Adorable on the model but just so. much. fabric. in real life. I can’t see these working unless you’re at least 5’7″ or wearing with a heeled sandal.
15. FRAME LE SLIM PALAZZO JEANS
I think this style is meant to flatter a straighter and/or taller frame. Also worth noting these have the lowest rise of the bunch, which I find less flattering on my midsection and likely a pair I’d be constantly pulling up throughout the day.
White jeans I wouldn't recommend
16. DL1961 FLEXI PEYTON MID RISE ANKLE JEANS
I had high hopes for these and liked the fit of the leg, but there was a gap at the waist that made them fall down when I bent over — an instant deal-breaker for everyday mom life!
17. AG FARRAH BOOT CROP JEANS
I liked the leg on these but found the waist a little loose, and the fabric felt like the type that would stretch out and feel baggy and ill-fitting after a day’s wear.
18. MOTHER LIL’ HEADLINER SNEAK WIDE LEG JEANS (PETITE)
A very baggy fit even in the petite length, and the off-white color just reads kind of dingy in person.
19. DL1961 PIPPA REFINED WIDE LEG ANKLE JEANS
A wide leg that’s just wide all over, from the hips to the seat. Strongly prefer the Pistola pair that’s second on this list if you’re looking for a flattering wide leg!
You’ll find all these reviews as well as measurements for all 19 pairs right here — I truly hope this helps you find a great pair or two to wear this season and beyond!