Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Wearing White After Labor Day--A Yay Or Nay?

Every lady knows that wearing white after Labor Day is a huge no-no! This rule of fashion has been passed down (and greatly emphasized its importance) by generation to generation of women; from mothers to daughters, aunts to nieces, strangers yelling out to random people on the street... ok, maybe not the last part, but you get the point--it is a pretty important fashion law. Or is it really?

Ok, so how did this rule become embedded in our minds and wardrobe selections? According to Time there are many different origins of this fashion law--one explanation is that in past centuries people wore white during the Summer months because it helped keep them cool. Another is that during the 50s and 60s, when people had vacation homes, Labor Day signaled the end of Summer. This meant packing up the white linens, big hats and sandals to head back to the city and a wardrobe of dark and dreary, I mean professional clothes. Anyone who dared to wear white during the months of September to April were just plain out tacky and probably gossiped about.

But fret no more my lovelies, this old fashion rule seems to be just that... old. White has slowly made its way into our wardrobe year round! First there was "winter white" (which is really just an off-white, or cream color) which looks fabulous as a coat or comfy sweater. But these days it seems women have no problem wearing bright whites year round. 

If you're having trouble wrapping your mind around this and wouldn't even know where to begin on incorporating bright white into your Winter clothes here are a few suggestions we found: 

  • Try pairing white jeans with boots and a dark colored sweater, instead of Summer sandals and a tank. 
  • Use that white tee as the main focus and accessorize with darker items. 
  • Keep it subtle; people won't be expecting it and it will stand out more. 
  • Or if you're not that brave just yet try a white scarf and see if you get any dirty looks. 

Remember: Its not what you wear, but how you wear it!

But I want to know from you--are you going to break the "No white after Labor Day" rule or do you hear your mother's voice in your head nagging about how tacky it is and you just can't do it??

Coco Chanel had no problem wearing white year round, so why do we?






6 comments:

  1. I was always raised that you do not wear white shoes, pants , dresses or skirt after labor day. Which, I personally find is a great rule of thumb to follow. White tops? Go for it, nothing better than a winter white cashmere sweater when It's cold out.

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  2. Well said!! I think this will probably be the rule I follow... white shoes are just hard to begin with!! But I am definitely going to try the white jeans with dark boots and sweater... we'll see :)

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  3. I think winter white is gorgeous! Though white anything is usually a little dangerous for me since I like to spill something on myself at least once a day :)

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  4. Haha, we need to get you some Tide pens!

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  5. When I was little, I saw this crazy Kathleen Turner movie called Serial Mom. She goes nuts and kills another woman for wearing white shoes after Labor Day! Despite that *very* scaring film experience, I'll still rock a creamy winter white :)

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  6. That's kind of like the "no wire hangers" in Mommy Dearest....

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