I don’t know what it is about a pair of crisp, white pants that gives me a fair bit of anxiety, but the few pairs in my closet rarely see the light of day. But for some reason, this cream denim seems simply effortless and wearable — while at the same time feeling equally chic and timeless as its white counterpart. And when paired with a deep gray sweater tank, it’s an easy, late-summer outfit that will translate well into fall. (Does cream break the white-after-Labor-Day-rule? Does anyone even follow that adage anymore?)
Gray + Cream = New Neutral Outfit Combo
That said, I’m gonna go ahead and call gray + cream the sweet, shy cousin of classic black + white. Familiar, for sure, but less starkly contrasting, and as such, a little less formal, a little more chill. Still striking but just…lower maintenance? Anyway, I’m digging it. Enough that I’ve already worn this combo more than a handful of times this summer, and I’m convinced I need another pair of cream denim (thinking of a wideleg silhouette, maybe even cropped) to style up into fall.
Outfit Details
(In which I demonstrate my love for Target once again…)
Gray Sweater Tank // So very into the style of this crew-neck, almost halter-style tank, which is on-trend and comfortable and so versatile to style. Wearing an XS. Full disclosure, the open knit on this one shows off undergarments when the light hits, so if you don’t want your bra on full display under workplace fluorescents, you might want to save it for weekend wear. Cute with an intentionally exposed bralette, too. This one is a TME favorite (myself included).
Cream Denim // So the bad news…these button-front cream jeans are sold out, but they’re so easy and comfortable, with just enough stretch and a high rise that’s easy to pair with a number of tops, tucked or untucked. The good news? They’re still available (and mega on-sale!) in plus-size, here. And there’s a great dupe with what seems to be a super similar fit from Free People here.
Sbicca Platform Huaraches // Not the first time you’ve seen me in these. Super comfortable (like, actually walkable with a cushioned footbed) and I love the clompy weight of a true wood platform. Select sizes still available new here (on sale!) and here. Or these have a similar vibe.
More Gray + Cream Outfit Inspo
When I started looking for alternatives for the sold-out denim in this post, I found enough cool pairs of cream jeans (ok, just gonna say it: I’m really bothered by the term “cream jeans” but we’re too deep now…) that I kiiinda went down the rabbit hole and paired up a few alternative ‘fits featuring variations on the theme. Very much into the Edgy number. Have the tank in my cart as we speak!
Gray + Cream: Better than Basic
More or less the exact outfit I’ve got going on here, with a super-cute snakeskin platform sandal subbed in for my almost-sold-out platform huaraches.
Sweater Tank // Button-Front Jeans // Platform Sandals
Gray + Cream: Weekday Casual
OK, so up close, this blouse is a super teensy black + white gingham pattern, but given how much I love gingham and the overall grayish effect, I’m including it here. I love love love the sailor pants — they’d also be so sweet with a squareneck bodysuit. And the mules are a no-brainer. Add a cardigan (I’m tempted by this one that the TME team has been talking about lately) and it’s ready for casual Friday.
Gingham Print Blouse // Sailor Jeans // Blush Mules (these would also be cool)
Gray + Cream: Little Bit O’ Edge
Probably no surprise that this is my favorite of the alternative outfit pairings, for sure. The keyhole on the graphic T is tough and a little sexy (curious what the bra situation would be like — seems like you could get away with a standard bra so long as it plunges a little) and I always gravitate toward a super-raggedy jean when given the chance. Add in the goes-with-anything mules and this would take me from preschool pickup to the park to date night. Super easy.
Keyhole Graphic Tank // Distressed Jeans // Heeled Mules
Gray + Cream: Brunch Me
I love the coppery heels pictured here — they play up the warmth of the cream denim — but this would be just as pretty with a nude version of the same shoe, too. The denim here is super-similar to the sailor style, above, but the cropped length makes them a little more versatile in terms of footwear. (Also perhaps a better option for not-exceptionally-tall people, like me.) The top is a little flirty but the easy jersey makes it super low-maintenance.
Gray Jersey Blouse // Cropped Wideleg Jeans // Heels
Neutral Backpack Purses
On the weekend, I use the bag in this post almost exclusively (well, when I’m not rocking the new belt-bag-formerly-known-as-fanny-pack). It’s a sweet little backpack with a drawstring flap closure and the perfect size for toting extra stuff while still looking chic. It’s a few years old, so if you dig the style, I linked a few similar options, below.
Shop Everything In This Post
Oh, and if you don’t share my anxiety around white pants, Laura just styled up a few fresh ways to wear them in this post.
Em
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