Did someone mention monochrome?

So I promise I'm not going to take the compliment that wearing monochrome made me look French completely to heart (the temptation to throw out everything I owned of any form of colour was high last night, I won't lie - see yesterday's blog for details) but it has cemented the notion that a pair of black or white jeans is always a good idea. 

Let's start with the elephant in the room.  White jeans.  So called the elephant in the room as I'm sure most of us feel vaguely elephantine when we don a pair?  I'm going to throw it out there that white skinnies are a minefield.  Apart from the fact that more than one person will mention Liz Hurley (you are well within your rights to either a) roll your eyes or b) punch them - the latter I'd reserve for your husband as he's probably the one likely to make the not remotely funny remark involving LH.  Just mine?  Moving swiftly on then) they are notoriously unflattering - aka elephantine.  

So if you're after white skinnies then apologies for now - I may feel brave enough to do a trying on session later in the season when we are drowning in them, but for the minute, I'm all about the looser versions.  More flattering, more comfortable to wear but randomly more difficult to find. 

Which obviously means I am now on a mission.  All I want is a pair of loose white or ecru or cream - not *that* fussy - that are the same shape as my MiH Phoebes.  Who obviously don't make them in white.  

These look like they might be worth a punt - and are a great reduction.

Rag & Bone Marilyn Cropped High Rise Boyfriend Jeans was £230 now £92

Do we think these are Phoebe-esque?

Daily raw-hem high-rise slim leg jeans by MiH £215



And more importantly, do I want to spend over £200 on them.  Because if I'm honest - super expensive white jeans fill me with dread.  Two words.  Red Wine.  So it's probably better to see what we can find at the other end of the pay scale.  

MOTO Patch Selvedge Straight Leg was £45 now £22 from Topshop 



MOTO White Mom Jeans £40 from Topshop



These in stone from ASOS in the sale.  Love.  But only in a few sizes now however I had to include as I'm sure someone will thank me. 

ASOS Pencil Straight Jeans were £28 now £14



And another great bargain at The White Company.  Again, limited sizes but it's worth having a look to see if yours is there with 70% off. 

Brompton Boyfriend Jeans were £89 now £26.70


Whenever I mention Uniqlo, someone always says how great their jeans are.  These are probably worth a look then. 

Women Slim Boyfriend Fit Ankle Jeans £24.90


Then a brand I keep meaning to try but have never got round to it.  Waven.  These look superb.  Which means they could either be actually superb or they could be hilariously hideous.  And there in lies the joy of buying jeans.  You simply have to try them on yourself.  As what looks great on someone else (ie a model...) may look like a bag of pus on you.

Waven Aki True Boyfriend Cropped Jeans were £54 now £20



Dr Denim Haze Mid Rise Cropped Jeans £50



Vero Moda Mom Jeans £32


Mid Rise Straight Cropped Jeans at Autograph £39.50


And finally the middle ground.  The funny thing about jeans is that it's not *actually* about how much you pay for them, it's whether they work for you or not.  And that can be a £20 sales pair from Topshop or a £200plus pair from MiH.  There's ZERO point in spending a penny on the latter if they don't fit.  But if they fit like a glove and you know that you will wear them A Lot - for work, play and nights out, then sometimes it's worth investing.  Cost per wear (I will definitely be having this on my gravestone).

Jaeger Raw Cut Straight Cropped Jeans £95 with 20% off using the code STYLE20




The Boyfriend Jean from Baukjen £99



But my absolute favourite that I am definitely going to try are these from Me+Em.  I just hope they are as loose on me as they are on the model.  Way too many times, I have tried "boyfriend" or "straight" jeans on, only to find that they hermetically seal themselves to my legs, cutting off circulation to my feet.  Loose they are not.  

Girl Meets Boys Jean from Me+Em £119  In my head, these are going to be the same fit as the MiH Phoebes.  A girl can pray.


I cracked my old ones out today.  Sun = popping my white jeans cherry for the year.  It wasn't entirely the warmest but I was undeterred.  These owe me nothing.  I got them for 20euro two years ago from All Saints at Kildare Village in Ireland and absolutely love them.  I have worn and worn and worn them.  They are slightly more distressed than they were when I bought them but I will happily wear them for every day.  I did try and buy a replacement pair last year but simply couldn't find any that were as good a fit.  And there in proves the lesson that it's now how much you pay, but whether they work for you.  20euro for goodness sake (and no I don't know where the euro sign is on my laptop. *weeps*.).


MTV tee - Hollister
Black double breasted longline blazer - M&S
Ecru jeans - All Saints
Black suede Chelsea boots - Ash
Red Soho Disco bag - Gucci
Belt - ASOS

So we've done white.  Black.  Or how about grey?  This shouldn't be that difficult, should it?  I fear I may be some time... But on the upside, black skinny jeans are A Must.  And randomly, an easier find than boyfriend or loose straight leg ones.  I think.  I will report back. 

What's your favourite or most useful shade of denim?  And shape?  Pretty much any time I ever mention denim to anyone, the feedback is that skinny jeans are the most popular by far and people live in fear of them "going out of fashion".  I don't think there's any danger of that, but wondered what your favourite was?