Three Ways To Style White Denim In Black And White
WHITE DENIM IS A FUNDAMENTAL NEUTRAL.
Shot IN STUDIO in BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.
Photography, SIMI VIJAY
Styling, Igee Okafor
figuring out how to wear WHITE DENIM in various ways with primary color schemes that contrast simplistically.
It took me up until last summer to realize how much of an asset white denim is to an essential wardrobe. Up until being gifted this white pair from boutique brand MOTHER DENIM, I hadn’t made an effort to style them out on my own. Upon receiving this gift and seeing how I could really sustain it, I began to note that the piece was a fundamental neutral. There was nothing I couldn’t pair it with casually and since then, it has stuck.
Perhaps this has been a matter of the particular pair of denim and its fabric or the color. Either way, it’s special and comforting to be able to experience the combination.
One of my favorite things about working with white denim has been figuring out how to wear it in various ways with primary color schemes that contrast simplistically.
Black is a go to casual color for most including myself but being that I prefer some aspect of distinction in styling due to my body type and skin tone, the white denim came in handy in consideration of an alternative that hasn’t quite suited me in the past: the black on black ensemble.
STYLE OPTION I:
The Black Crew Neck Sweater
When it comes to configuring a semi casual look, the key is throwing in a key element of styling that feels a bit more dressed up. That is in the midst of the other casual clothing items.
The black cashmere crew neck sweater can be dressed up because of its slim fit and clean silhouette. However, I’ve put a casual essence on it by not layering underneath with something formal like a dress shirt for example. The white denim complEments that more relaxed feel so it works - both in texture and color.
The choice to have a leather DERBY as the footwear option was to fall into the Semi casual nature I was going for with the ensemble. The leather DERBY is the only item of clothing in the entire look that feels a bit more dressed up. A pair of white or black sneakers would work well but I would consider that a fully casual look.
Complementing the shoe with black socks comes from the idea of wanting to keep focus on the loudest part of the ensemble which in this case would be the white denim.
As someone who likes to emphasize only one or two hero pieces in his looks, this formula is one that is very effective.
STYLE OPTION II:
The Black TURTLENeck Sweater
If you have a preference for turtlenecks, styling in a similar way as the black crew neck illustrated in the aforementioned is a great option. However, I feel with the volume and fabric of the turtleneck, the look might run too casual for a slimmer body type like mine.
If this is the case for you, this is a great opportunity to edit and utilize your accessories.
The deal? Keep the DERBY, keep the black socks and tuck in the turtleneck. You’ll be putting in two new additions: A calf skin leather belt and a leather strapped wrist watch.
Like the cufflink does for a bow tie in a tuxedo look, the subdued wrist watch will even out the detail proportions on the top half of the look. It will also show off a subtle attention and appreciation for fine craftsmanship.
The calfskin leather belt also achieves the same idea. If you’re the kind who likes to show off their body figure, this styling technique achieves just that.
STYLE OPTION II:
THE WHITE OXFORD SHIRT
Another simple look in the black and white pairing sees substituting black knitwear for a clean white oxford shirt instead. Keeping the semi-casual theme going, I’ve alway felt like a tucked in shirt with rolled up sleeves was a very classic look.
Break the look up a bit by keeping the calfskin leather belt, black socks, DERBY and leather strapped watch.
GET THE LOOK:
CHURCH’S
MOTHER DENIM
CDLP