I love wearing all white (or adjacent hues) in the summer, and as long as I keep a lot of this stuff around, and hope for the best, I can do so without staining much of anything. You’ve got to start with the right pair of pants for this look, and you couldn’t do better than Nili Lotan’s Tel Aviv chino, which manages to look boyish and slouchy, even on my expansive hips.
A super-casual pair from Vince with a nifty drawstring waist.
These have an elastic waist, which sounds so appealing for wearing on flights or long car trips.
These carpenter pants are taking me back to eighth grade on the best possible sense.
A really drapey pair that’d be so elegant with a white blazer.
These are a decent, (much) cheaper stand-in for Nili Lotan’s Paris pants, which I love.
Yes, I’ve shown you these J. Crew chinos before, maybe more than once, but I’m doing it again because they’re so good, and super-lightweight, and well-priced too. I own them in three colors.
A snappy straight-leg cropped pant that’d be great with black ankle boots come fall.
A super-wide leg pant, for the daring, from Cos.
And finally: these have subtle pleating, which I surprise myself by liking.
Does anyone know, why did this post just show up today on my ipad? do I need to erase my cookies or whatever? TYIA for any free tech support. I have this page as one of my favorites, and it usually works fine. … … … Also, lightweight pants are definitely on my list, I may check out the j crew ones. I may even go to a store. Although probably not. It’s tough to know in advance about fabric weights. … … … I think the Nordy’s sale starts today? I could be wrong though.
I can’t remember – have we ever had a ruling about whether it works to buy “Tall” pants if you aren’t tall, but just want full length pants? Does that throw off the fit in other places somehow? … … … In other Fit Adventures, I have asked before but I am still wondering, is it a no-go to remove shoulder pads from blazers? And does it look bad if you wear a blazer that fits in some places, but not in others, and which will not close? Maybe I will hit the thrift shop and just try it already. I mean, I understand that none of this is going to actually look *good.* But, for ready-to-wear that is essentially not going to happen anyway. Question is, how baaaaaad will it look? Ha.
Can we discuss Nili Lotan for just a minute? Why why why do her cotton chinos cost $325? Really, anything over $200 for consciously made chinos doesn’t make a ton of sense to me. I don’t think there’s any kind of radical transparency that can explain it, except that people will pay it? I know you can find gently worn ones online – but honestly, her pricing confuses me. If anyone has insights I would be most interested. Bottom line -I would love to wear it, but she’s priced me out.
Jay, you might want to listen to our Everything is Fine episode with Teri Agins. She does a pretty thorough breakdown of why some brands are so much pricier than others: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/an-insiders-guide-to-fashion-with-teri-agins/id1491377174?i=1000566199140
I would love a pair of her chinos but in the UK they are over £400!
It’s interesting that the Zaras and Mangoes of the world haven’t tried to copy her cut as they do with everything else. Maybe too much off the general radar?
Yes, good question and I would also be interested.
Hope Stockholm has some similarly cut trousers for a lot less money.
Tibi’s nylon pants snd skirts are truly the best! I am not one to spend a small fortune on clothes but these magical unicorns are worth every dollar. Kim- please for the love of all that is good snd holy, I kind of feel like Amy Smilovic is truly amazing. Her IG posts snd break down of style has been what I needed to see in my late 40’s ❤️
I hope you see this–I’m so curious about these pants. They look cool. But I am worried that they might make a loud swishy noise when walking? Thanks for any intel!
Hello Jen. I think you were asking about the Tibi nylon pants. I have three pair- one crispy nylon Stella, one powder nylon Stella, and one balloon pant. Short answer – yes. They do swish but I have never given it a second thought. They are consistently the pants I get a lot of compliments on- but not the “ohh that’s different” kind of compliment. More of the “ you’ve got to tell me more about those pants” kind of compliment. Personally, my crispy nylon Stella cargo pants are my fav- they are so lightweight and I just feel cool when I wear them. Hope that helps 🙂
On this topic, for several years I’ve been searching seriously for a pair of rigid (or near-rigid), loose/somewhat slouchy, totally-straight/wideish-leg, white or off-white jeans — like those often seen on “influencers” photographed in Paris — similar to the ones shown here, on Mlles. Ainley (x2), Maigret, Smith, and maybe even Fontanel — loose and perfectly straight, not at all flared, and definitely not tapered. Despite the numerous images I’ve seen of such jeans, I have yet to find one with a brand or style name noted. (And of course I’ve searched all the usual sites, starting with old-school Levi’s.) If anyone here has a clue, please share! Btw, holy cow — clicked on the J. Crew link, and was catapulted into PTSD by the “Back to School” banner up top! Eek, already??
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.vogue.fr/fashion/article/trends-jeans-fashion-week-denim-white-spring-summer-2020-inspiration-street-style/amp
PSA: the jcrew chinos are on stupid sale. just grabbed them for <35 dollars….
hi tamara – where is the stupid sale? did I miss it?
Thanks Tamara! I have two pairs I love and wear on repeat, so this is great news.
Me too! If you’re short like me, you can still find mountain white in the petite sizes!
Echoing the call to J.Crew chinos––they fit well, don’t need to be ironed and are perfect when you want something lighter and nicer than plain old jeans. Side note: I listened to Monday’s EIF podcast this morning––a good shorts substitute are the 3/4 length Outdoor Voices exercise pants. I wear them with a long very thin tunic top (tank underneath) and feel perfectly fine wearing said “outfit” to the farm stand or a walk on the beach. I probably wouldn’t wear them to a ball game or to the book store etc., but I would if I were under the age of sixty. And can we talk about “puddle pants?” Do we REALLY need to DRAG THE HEMS OF OUR PANTS IN THE DIRT OR ALONG THE PAVEMENT WHICH HAS TO BE REALLY, REALLY UNSANITARY in order to look cool? This is the kind of thing I delve into when the world is making my head explode.
Chuckling at the link to the OxiClean pre-treater… I keep a bottle in my bedroom, which is super attractive and possibly violates the concept of a bedroom as a soothing environment. But it’s just so good for treating any and all manner of stains before items are tossed into the hamper!
I love white pants in summer, too. I always double-up protection when I wear them during that time of the month. I have been using the Diva Cup, with Thinx as a back-up.
I own the straight leg cros from Everland and they are great – a nice weight so they aren’t too sheer and they wash beautifully. Unreservedly recommend.
Is that the same pair that is linked? – the “Easy” Pant? (wah wah) I ask bc I didn’t see a photo of the rear view. Could you describe? I’ve never Everlaned before. Yet I am intrigued by your suggestion. TYIA
They easy chinos (pic #3) are ok (I’m wearing a pair as I type this) but are a bit too unstructured for be – a little too baggy and I have to pull them up a lot. The straight leg chinos(#8) shown here are the ones I strongly recommend. They are not at all stretchy and have a nice, clean silhouette.
oh, thanks!! That was helpful – I hadn’t noticed the 2nd pair were also Everlane.
You’re welcome! They are a pretty good brand – I have bought some of their tops and I like them, too. It’s well made and good shapes. Not trendy but not dowdy.
Excuse the typo – the pants are obviously from EVERLANE. Ugh.
oh the carpenter pants! Jr High flash backs for sure
Just got back from a very fun visit to NYC and impulse-bought some Old Navy linen pants right before the trip and they were pretty great: https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=7919870520002. I was worried they’d be too short in the regular (I am 5’7″) but they were fine. Not a lot of light-colored options here but light fabrics. Just checked to get the link and they are 50% off today. I think they run a bit big but that was kind of what I had hoped for. Kim, if there’s a way to update that link so you get any referrals, please let me know!
My podcast and blog worlds collide! Do you and Jenn know that Everything is Fine is featured in Amy Rigby’s blog today (Diary of Amy Rigby): https://diaryofamyrigby.wordpress.com/2022/07/12/lost-not-lost/❤️❤️❤️
Yes, I saw that today and was so happy! I’m a big Amy Rigby fan, and am lucky enough to know her a little.
My favorite sites for beachy summer pants are Mollusk Surf Shop: https://mollusksurfshop.com/collections/womens-bottoms and Faherty: https://fahertybrand.com/collections/womens-pants . I bought the best pair of light blue soft chambray cotton pants with a white rope belt from Faherty, via eBay, and I wear them all the time. It’s like walking around in pajamas.
I tried the J Crew chinos and had no luck…so cute on the model and apparently everyone else lol. Bummer 🙁
All great choices though. My shape does not lend itself to chinos
I love the look of white pants…on everyone but myself! Owner of large hips and thighs and wearing lighter colors on my bottom half only seems to exaggerate the problem. Maybe in my next life…
As much as I love the look of white pants (and tops and sweaters), I always seem to find myself in the direct line of a flying bowl of spaghetti and meat sauce whenever I wear them.
Or with me… dribbling coffee!
I nibble on dark chocolate throughout the day, and little pieces inevitably find their way onto my light clothes, and the resulting look is most unfortunate. I should probably wear an apron at all times.
Kim: can you tell me the difference between the Nili Lotan Tel Aviv and East Hampton pants? Buying on line and can’t seem to find a description of the fits to compare- thank you!
The Easthampton pants are slightly lower-waisted is the main difference, and they’re more of a traditional chino.
Faherty Brand and Mollusk Surf Shop are my favorite places to buy beachy summer pants.