You could say that I’m in my “coastal grandmother” era.
If you’re not familiar with what a “coastal grandmother” is, it’s a cheeky term that has been trending on TikTok describing an easy, breezy beach aesthetic.
Think Diane Keaton in the movie “Something’s Gotta Give” (or nearly any leading lady in a Nancy Meyers movie, for that matter). Think soft, flowing clothing. Ocean tones, minimalism, straw totes and white wine. Fresh flowers, herbs in your backyard garden, matching knit sets and oversize button-downs.
Turns out, this has been the style of my dreams all along, and it took only a few minutes of Pinterest-board-curating to figure out that a major article of clothing was missing from my wardrobe:
White denim.
In My Coastal Grandmother Era: Obsessed With White Jeans
To my surprise, I found not one but TWO pairs of white jeans that now currently own the front-and-center placement in my summer wardrobe: a classic, easy-to-wear straight-leg and a risky, bright-white pair I fell head over heels for.
White denim holds just a touch of controversy. Mainly centered around the notion that “it’s not practical!”
And I get it. I’m not actually a grandma. I have a wild toddler running around — with crumbs on his face and mystery substances covering his hands — I’m responsible for 24/7. There’s no clocking out.
Yet, I still can’t help it. I’ve always had a love affair with light, white tones in both clothing and home decor, and that hasn’t changed even now that I’m a mom (although I do own more Dawn dish soap than I did before — it’s a serious miracle worker for getting out stains).
In all my love for light colors, though, I’ve never owned a pair of white jeans.
So I set out to find denim that would not only complete my coastal-outfit dreams, but that might still carry a touch of modern design (because in all realness, I’m more of a coastal granddaughter).
While I typed “white denim” into pretty much every retailer search bar in the universe (or so it felt), it came as no surprise that my favorite pairs were all coming up the same brand: AGOLDE.
I’ve had a love-hate relationship with AGOLDE over the years, the latter being only because I couldn’t nail my sizing. But recently, I’ve been living in my pairs of AGOLDE denim (shorts included).
AGOLDE’s designs are modern and fresh and decidedly not boring.
Even better, the brand is sustainable.
Risky But Rewarding: Bright-White Tapered Jeans Are My New Go-To
I spotted AGOLDE’s High-Rise Luna Pieced Taper jeans in shade Element and, mentally, took a step back. I needed a few moments to take them in.
The Luna Pieced jeans felt dreamy to me. I’ve always wanted a barrel-style pair of jeans but hadn’t yet made the moves on any. These tapered jeans from AGOLDE appeared to have that same billowing effect, but something about them also felt risky.
I mean, they’re loose-legged, WHITE jeans, and I wasn’t so sure I was ready for them.
The Luna High Rise Pieced jeans are unlike any pair of denim I’ve ever worn.
The jeans run loose. I’m wearing a 28 (normally wearing a 28 or 29 in other denim), and they have a lot of movement in the waist. I almost considered sizing down one, but something about the loose waist has felt wildly flattering every time I pull them on.
This color Element is a bright, vivid white that feels refreshing to style for hot summer days.
AGOLDE describes the details of the Luna jeans to be made with “a waist-accentuating high rise,” and as someone who doesn’t actually have a prominent waistline, I’m kind of obsessed with how confident I feel in this pair of jeans.
I’m talking crop-top-wearing-as-a-mom type of confidence.
The Luna jeans are unique, incredibly comfortable, and have me reaching for them again and again.
Tried & True: Vintage-Inspired Straight-Leg Jeans In A…Safer Shade Of White
When I found AGOLDE’s Luna Pieced jeans, I also threw in the ’90s Pinch Waist jeans in color Drum because they felt more…safe. If the Luna jeans had turned out to be too much, I knew the ’90s Pinch Waist would be a solid fallback.
Turns out, I love both pairs of jeans for entirely different reasons.
AGOLDE’s ’90s Pinch Waist jeans are a classic style at this point. The jeans are a vintage-inspired straight-leg with a close-fitting waistline.
As someone without any curves (no hips, no booty), I have always found AGOLDE to run big. The ’90s Pinch Waist jeans are said to be fitted (some reviewers even preferred sizing up), but I found a 28 to be perfect for me (I normally run between a 28 and 29).
The jeans sit comfortably as a high-rise, and since they’re made of 100% cotton, they relax around the body over time.
The ’90s Pinch Waist are an off-white cream color, which I find makes them incredibly easy to wear (and is a fun contrast to the color of the previous Luna jeans).
If you love the look of white denim but are afraid of getting them dirty, this color, Drum, is a perfect place to start. I’ve been reaching for them on days when I’m feeling a little extra-lazy, my child is a little extra-wild, or simply because I’m in the mood for that easy, classic straight-leg.
Honestly? I’m pleasantly surprised with my white-denim choices. I had no idea how many outfit opportunities I had been missing without them in my closet.
Here’s to a Coastal Grandmother Summer (no grandkids or coastline required)!
Cheers,
Amy
Let’s be friends on Instagram! Sharing life from my sleepy little beach town, daily style, makeup favorites, Gilmore Girl binge-athons, and endless cups of coffee — all with a good dose of adorable toddler content too.
Pinners! This one’s for you…
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