The old adage that white jeans should never be worn after Labor Day is, frankly, utterly ridiculous. Because the truth is, the best white jeans for men look great year-round. Sure, the style’s natural territory is right now, when—and this is science talking—they actually reflect sunlight, instead of absorbing it like raw blues and near-blacks do. (And unlike those more familiar shades of denim, they also exude an entirely different energy, equal parts retro-, Euro-, and rock-god-coded all at once.) But when September rolls around, there’s no need to pack ’em up for the season.
Wherever and whenever you plan to wear your white jeans, the key to nailing the look is three-fold. First, you need to pick the right pair for the look you’re aiming for, that also suits your body shape. (If stumped, consider the fit of your current favorite jeans.) Second, you need to avoid ketchup, merlot, and mud splatters like the plague (unless you’re going for the scuffed-up, worn-in, Paul-Newman-on-a-dirt-bike vibe). And third, you need to wear them with a wardrobe-load of confidence. Below, our favorite pairs to help you achieve all three.
The Best Men’s White Jeans, According to GQ
Looking for Something Specific?
Best White Jeans Overall: Levi’s 501 Original Fit Jeans
Levi’s
501 Original Fit Men’s Jeans
Pros
- Classic, timeless silhouette
- Solid denim fabric
- Unbeatable value
Cons
- Pure white might be a lil’ scary
In the end, the best blue jeans also turned out to be the best white jeans. You’re probably already familiar with the straight-but-not-baggy fit of the 501s in classic blue, but in white (or, in this case, more of an eggshell, not white-tee-white hue), they take on a whole new dimension, draping your legs like sculpted Swiss meringue. This softness means you can easily dress these up with a linen shirt or down with a faded, lived-in vintage T-shirt—the choice is yours.
As a tall man, I especially appreciate the 501 because it comes in a range of leg lengths, including a 36-inch inseam, allowing for that perfect break on the shoe. And in 2025, that subtle drape isn’t just ideal for white jeans. It’s the fit you should be aiming for with all your trousers.
Best Upgrade White Jeans: Buck Mason N002 Japanese Loomstate Selvedge Full Saddle Jean
Buck Mason
N002 Japanese Loomstate Selvedge Full Saddle Jean
Pros
- Upgraded construction and materials
- Throwback silhouette
- Complimentary hemming
Cons
You might think that the best white jeans are a bleach-white pair of 5-pocket dungarees. The best white T-shirt is, well, white. The best plain white socks are white-white, too. But the truth is, the best white jeans are not a stark blank canvas—they’re actually a little warmer, a little creamier and, counterintuitively, more versatile. The off-white color of natural cotton has more character and texture than the bleached stuff and, like the usual indigo-dyed jeans, makes them infinitely more wearable.
But that’s just one piece of the puzzle. A well-cut silhouette, stellar fabric, and excellent construction make the best white jeans even better. And if you want to upgrade from the usual Levi’s, Buck Mason is the cream of the crop. With Japanese loomstate selvedge denim, copper hardware, and a full-leg, classic-rise fit, it’s taken every aspect of a jean and made it better.
Best Bootcut White Jeans: Wrangler Cowboy Cut Original Fit Jeans
Wrangler
Cowboy Cut Original Fit Jean
Pros
- Major valueSharp cut
- Unimpeachable design history
- Wide range of sizes
Cons
You’d need to have been living under an anti-fashion force field to miss Kendrick Lamar wearing a pair of flared Celine jeans at the Super Bowl. If his Marcos are out of your budget and you’re more of a white denim guy (which you probably are if you’ve read this far), give the style a go at Wrangler. The heritage American brand’s Cowboy Cut jeans strike a strong balance between testosterone-charged, ranch-ready style and a polished, espadrilles-in-the-Hamptons aesthetic.
Best Baggy White Jeans: Carhartt WIP Single Knee Pant
Carhartt W.I.P.
Single Knee Pant
Pros
- Modern baggy fit
- All-season midweight fabric
- Solid fabrication
Cons
- Utility pockets can feel extraneous
Carhartt WIP’s taken after its father, Carhartt proper. Namely in classic designs and hardy materials. But the apple’s falls a little further from the tree is in WIP’s ability to tap into a modern aesthetic and hip approach. The silhouettes are intentionally baggier, the patterns are more exciting, and the hard work that’s being done in their double-knees and heavy canvas jackets is the relentless attempts at nailing a skate trick. The brand’s single knee pant takes on the iconic painter pant with its grip of utility pockets and cream-colored palette and crafts it in tough 12-ounce canvas and cuts it with a slouchy silhouette.
