Referencing {FAQ}

Friday, January 30, 2009

Madewell Email: The First Sign Of Spring

Madewell sent an email featuring their Rail Straight Garment-Dyed Jeans in White Wash ($115).

They are also reminding us that (1) we can check out their Spring looks (click here); and (2) Madewell is offering 15% off all purchases with the printable coupon found here on their Facebook page. This offer expires 2/28/08.

Although the jeans look great on the model, I wonder how many people can really pull off skinny white jeans. I mean, I can understand regular blue wash or dark skinny jeans- but white? That's tough to do. This email also got me thinking about white jeans... I am just not a fan. It's not that I don't like white pants, because I think there are some great ones out there. (For instance, I love a pair of white trouser cotton/ linen pants I got from J.Crew a few years ago). I am just not crazy about white jeans in general. Maybe I need to look harder to find a pair that will win me over. ;)

What are your thoughts on Madewell's Rail Straight Garment-Dyed Jeans in White Wash? Are you a fan of the white denim look in general? :)

44 comments:

  1. Ick... I don't even like them on the model! :p

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  2. I am a huge fan of white jeans - so crisp and clean. But I don't like white skinny jeans. They might look better tucked into a tall brown boot?

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  3. Off-topic, but I thought I'd suggest a topic for a post -- washing/care. The majority of jcrew sweaters are dry clean only. I'm wondering whether others have tried hand washing instead & what their experience has been. I didn't have that great of results washing my tartine cardigan & now I'm worried about wrecking other sweaters (like the Lea).

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  4. I have a closet full of white jeans, lol. I have been looking for the HG white jeans for a long time. I am 5'-10" 130, and in pretty good shape....shaped more like Cindy Crawford than Kate Moss.

    I would never, ever wear skinny white jeans. Jeans that are tight and white make even the skinniest, tightest bodies look fleshy and or, (sorry) trashy. There are a very few exceptions: A very young, very thin, ruler shaped person with NO cellulite. Not even a scrap. It will show right through. On top of that they must be paired with a very carefully chosen top. The top must have absolutely NO hint of skank. Stillettos, high heels...etc, can make them look even trashier, and they look best with flat sandals.

    My favorite pair ended up being Boden Sassy white Jeans from last summer. I also have J Crew white hipslungs and bootcuts, both of which I sized up on. They look best slightly slouchy/loose. If they are snug like your regular jeans, people will see the pockets through the material, as well as any lumps/bumps you may have.

    The moral of the story: Slightly loose, white jeans that skim the body as opposed to sucking it in can be crisp and elegant. Snug, tight white jeans will show things you may not want seen, and can look hoochie.

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  5. white jeans + skinny cut = disaster on MOST body types. I think white jeans are one of trends that should you decide to buy, should go the F21 $20 route, not the Madewell $115 route.

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  6. White jeans are super cute! I l-o-v-e them...they put more emphasis on your curves(or lack of) and highlights any other colours you are wearing with a much cleaner look. All winter I've felt so weighed down with the dark rinses, and heavy fabrics but soon I'll be able to wear my newly acquired high heel flare white jeans by JC plus their version of the gladiator sandal. I may check out Madewell this weekend to try on their rail-thin skinny white jeans. BTW; great topic! ;)

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  7. @Anon 12:32,
    Well, from my experience, if you choose to buy white jeans, one should be thoughtful and honest about their body, size and quality of the clothing. This includes investing in a pair of jeans that will be made of a more structured material that is, yes, more expensive for the consumer, but they will have an increased chance of satisfaction b/c they are not made of less viable materials where every unsightly bump is amplified. A lot of times the extremely affordable stores make their skinny jeans with more parts cheap spandex than quality cotton. So, when you put on a pr. of cheaply-made white denim it's the same as putting on a pr. of white spandex gym pants that are a size too small..

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  8. i don't think i could EVER wear white skinny jeans...unless you're like samantha ronson-skinny to the point that you want to look bigger..and less sickly.

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  9. I love white jeans - but def matchstick or bootcut NOT toothpick, and I have to be in the "no grass, no potentially rusty benches" mentality.

    I can't wait to wear white jeans and trousers with dusty rose spectators & the muted spring palette!

    It is sad though if white pants shrink to the point of no return = P - i've had a few pairs that did not age well.

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  10. i love the look, but not for me. with a little kiddo running around, i'm just asking for it to get ruined =D

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  11. I bought two pair/different styles of white jeans from JCrew one summer--I think 2006 for $10 each in store. They had a huge summer sale and practically gave stuff away at the Mall of America. So I don't get this not having sales/sales are new/ how do we get customers to pay full price...JCrew has been having great sales for years!

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  12. I don't think I'll be trying the White Denim Matchsticks, but I will definitely consider White Denim in another style. :)

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  13. I used to hate white jeans. However, last year I found a great wide leg (more of a trouser leg) pair at Banana Republic. Now, I love them - great for summer! I think the key is not to get them too tight. Too tight = ick! So as for skinny white denim, I'll pass.l

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  14. I love the idea of white jeans/pants but I'm the person who wore her new snow cardigan to the hair stylist and somehow ended up with dark brown red hair dye on it! So while I love the idea I'm too scared to wear them.

    I like the white capri jeans on the gap website right now (I'm in FL already thinking to the warm temps coming) but I'm not that skinny and I don't know how they would look on me. I suppose I could give it a try.

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  15. I bought last year's white matchstick jeans. They were pretty flattering and went with everything last summer. But I stress, SUMMER. I'm definitely a SEASONAL fan of the trend.

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  16. I also have to agree with Anon @ 12:32pm. The white jean, if you so choose to go that route, must be worn with flat open toe sandals. Flat! & a top that is preppy and loose, especially if you're going for the matchstick type. You have to go the preppy, classic american route with the white denim. Any other option than that may look ... tacky.

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  17. I LOVE white jeans! I'm planning to buy this year's JC white matchsticks, as soon as it's warm enough (or when they get marked down--whichever comes first!)

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  18. I think the model looks nice & white pants/matchsticks can look really good but, at this price, they're a pass for me because of the dirt factor. Maybe on sale. I agree, size up one time for matchsticks.

    Does anyone remember the Vogue cover from the very early nineties with the 'supermodels' in their white button downs tied at the waist & white jeans? The Vogue cover sent me on a 'white' binge & boy did I look good. wink wink...I was 19 or 20 & could pull it off at that time! :)

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  19. I have J Crew white bootcut jeans from last summer- they look nice for going out at night in warmer weather, an alternative to dark skinny jeans. I wear mine with heels, but a more conservative top that doesn't show cleavage. That would be too hard to pull off for an average sized gal like me.

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  20. I love white jeans! I am a solidly-built, athletic (a.k.a. muscular thighs) size 6, but I found the right pair. They are 100% cotton, slim (not skinny) thighs, ankle-length bootcut from LandsEnd. They are the only pair of LandsEnd pants I own -- they just fit!

    I think you should avoid any sort of stretch unless you have less than 5% bodyfat.

    I am a slob with 3 sloppy kids, but I just bleach out all the stains.

    Get the right pair; avoid the stretch; buy some bleach, you'll be fine.

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  21. White denim can be worn with any shoe type including heels...get real ladies...flats with open toes only...I don't think so...also, I would personally avoid the preppy look with white jeans..OMG...I avoid the stereotype look at all costs!

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  22. I own Matchstick denim in white and love them! I wear them with a cute tee and flats. No problems here.

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  23. I don't mind white pants in general as long as they are a flattering cut. On some people, the matchstick might be flattering! On me, however, only trouser will do. I don't own any *white* jeans but do have some winter white cords and LOVE them.

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  24. Try the white high heel flares.

    I love the look of white jeans on models and on *some* people! I tried on the high-heel flares in white in the store and plan to get some someday. Spring is a long way off in the Pacific NW.

    I sized up an inch from the dark blue version, which, like everyone says, can be worn a little tighter.

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  25. The model must be wearing toothpick jeans (ick is right). Having said that, I LOVE white denim in the summer. Jcrew is coming out with a matchstick surplus denim in white and grey that I think are super flattering. My store carries them, but I don't see the white online yet. The grey are hidden online oddly, but I did a polyvore set with them. The back pockets have the snap cargo flap... they do wonders for the rear. (I don't know how to paste a photo here, I tried!)

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  26. I love white jeans, but my figure isn't quite the right shape for white matchsticks. I have a Gap pair of white bootcut/slight flare jeans that I just got hemmed (I'm 5'1''). I think they look fabulous with a brightish top. And I personally like them with cute heels, probably because I'm so short!! I think heels make my thights look a bit thinner, and I like all the help I can get. LOL

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  27. I have a big giant Kim Kardashian butt.. I cannot wear white jeans LOL

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  28. I like the look of white straight legs for summer but I haven't had the nerve to actually try a pair on yet..
    No way I could pull off a white skinny jean

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  29. LOVE white jeans. I had no idea people felt so strongly about them. I do the straight leg (rather than skinny). I also like the contrast with dark (navy or black) tops paired with gold sandals. Reminds me of sultry beach vacations :)

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  30. I like the idea of white jeans in principle. But I grew up in the 80's and to me white jeans will always have a whiff of 80s about them - and not in a good way. I think of cheezy, skinny men in moustaches in their tight white jeans.

    Or maybe that's just me.

    But overall, in a nice cut and with the right top and accessories, white jeans can be a gorgeous look.

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  31. I actually succumbed to the temptation of skinny white jeans. Mine are from Madewell, and I bought a loose peasant top to wear with them. I really love them now, but they'll probably be unwearable if I gain even a couple pounds. I want to pick up a wider legged white pant, maybe the cotton terrace pants or saturday pant. Does anyone have any experience with how these fit?

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  32. I am a huge fan of white jeans. My go to pair is 7 for all mankind white ginger jeans (flares at the knee.) Nothing shows through these jeans.

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  33. I LOVE white denim, wear it all Spring and Summer with both heels and flats-absolutely darling with SO many tops. The options are endless and so chic and crisp. Love the white matchsticks and the cropped matchsticks as well:)

    I agree they can show lumps and bumps if too thin or too tight but we all know how to dress, don't we?

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  34. I love the white denim look - esp how the model is wearing it. Out of all the looks from this lookbook, this one's my favorite. Since it's rail-straight, it has more of a straight leg shape than a skinny shape - so I think it's a lot more wearable than it seems.

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  35. I do like white jeans. I like them everytime I try them on. But I honestly have never bought.

    Perhaps it's a climate consideration, but I am in MI, and if it's time to wear white pants, I find myself in white linen / cotton -- full length or capris. The denim material just doesn't mesh with the climate for me.

    Matchstick and toothpick -- those are best left to the super thin imo. I'm thin enough, but I haven't found any flattering yet.

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  36. I like white jeans, but not the superskinny toothpick style. I bought this year's matchstick in white, and loved the fabric.

    I also have a pair of Joe's white denim capri.

    The style of shoes to go with jean has more to do with the style of the jeans than the color. For trouser cut I like high heels, preferably with a pointy toe. For capris either a slight heel or flats will work. I try to avoid the Peggy Bundy look.

    I live in California, and white is not as much winter/summer as what temperature it is outside (it's in the 70s today!)

    South Bay Addict (definitely not a skinny body type)

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  37. my mom was in paris this past november and said that white jeans were all over the place. for fall! women were wearing them with lots of gray, and in particular gray boots. i don't love them, and still feel like they are for summer only.

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  38. LOVE WHITE JEANS. I have seven children and WILL wear my white denim matchsticks this spring and summer. Don't eliminate them from your wardrobe. TRY SOME ON. You may just be surprised at how cute they are!

    JenG.

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  39. I have a pair that I wear under a summery knee length dress teamed with flats - I find it's a great way to look fashionable whilst hiding any scary bits.

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  40. I'm tall with an hourglass figure and found that Gap long and lean jeans work best for me. Fortunately they made them in white denim 2 or 3 years ago and I scored a pair for $20. I use them every summer with lightweight blazers over favorite tanks, tunics and loose blouses. I tend to wear them with silver capri sandals or some flats. I would agree it depends on the cut of the jean and the quality. The gap denim quality is fine for me. I purchased a pair of summerweight white chinos from JCrew last summer for $20 and went up one size since they were thin.

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  41. I'm sorry but this talk about white jeans just reminded me of a certain line . . . "Black!? That's the worst color there is . . . No Offense". Can't seem to remember where it came from though. Free belt for whomever that reminds me.

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  42. Jeff, it's from the Simpsons!! Lenny says it in response to Quimby declaring a state of emergency code black ; )

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  43. Yes, you can wear white jeans year round in most European countries I have found as I live in and travel the area a lot for the past 2 years.

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  44. i love skinny white jeans. i think they look breezy and chic at the same time. but i do think one has to be honest with themselves about if they can wear it or not. only certain body types can wear them (thin, toned, or straight looking).

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