Just so we're clear: That old no-white-after-Labor- Day-and-before-Memorial-Day axiom is about as passe as a $2 gallon of gas. It got tossed out about the time that fickle fashion folks made a rule that there would be no rules, and everybody started doing all sorts of scandalous things, like pairing black with brown and sporting sequins with denim. In broad daylight.

But still.

Outside of a sweet sundress, nothing screams summer quite like a pair of crisp, white jeans. They speak of barbecues and sandals, of fresh-squeezed lemonade and long lazy weekends spent putting Summertime by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince on full blast. Since we live in South Florida, there is still plenty of time for all those things.

And white jeans are remarkably figure-forgiving (yes, really), notwithstanding that other fashion commandment: Thou Shalt Wear Black to Disguiseth Thy Bubble Butt. These days, white denim jeans come tricked out in myriad incarnations, from cropped to boot-cut to trouser-style.

They're the ultimate neutral: Dress them up, dress them down, heels, flats, brights, blacks, earth tones -- or snazz them up for work with a fluttery blouse or a cropped jacket in lemon yellow. Or just pop on a tank top and some of those ubiquitous gladiator sandals.

As for after Labor Day, well . . . let your imagination, and your sense of fashion propriety, be your guide.

Yes, we know. That whole laissez-faire, no-rules thing can be so tyrannical in its egalitarianism.

SOME TO TRY

• J.Crew cropped matchstick jeans. Retail price: $85. Available at www.jcrew.com.

• Converse One Star cropped denim, $27, at select Target stores nationwide and Target.com.

• J Brand Kat wide-leg jeans, regularly $218, now 65.40 on final sale at Shopbop.com.

• Rag & Bone stovepipe jeans, $225, at www.barneys.com.

• Madewell garment-dyed rail-straight jeans, $110, at www.madewell1937.com or 866-544-1937.

Join the discussion

Note: If this is your first time using our NEW commenting system, you will have to LOG OUT and then LOG BACK IN.

The Miami Herald is pleased to provide this opportunity to share information, experiences and observations about what's in the news. Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. We encourage lively, open debate on the issues of the day, and ask that you refrain from profanity, hate speech, personal comments and remarks that are off point. In order to post comments, you must be a registered user of MiamiHerald.com. Your username will show along with the comments you post. Thank you for taking the time to offer your thoughts.

     Showing: Oldest first Newest first Most-recommended first Least-recommended first

@Nyx.AuthorDisplayName@ wrote on @Nyx.PostedAtTime@:

@Nyx.CommentBody@

@Nyx.Recommender@ @Nyx.AbuseReporter@