Why are You Not Supposed To Wear White After Labor Day?
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In many parts of the United States, a rule about not wearing white after Labor Day, which takes place on the first Monday in September, is heavily ingrained. The roots of the idea that people should not wear white after Labor Day appear to be shrouded in mystery, and the rule has been greatly relaxed since the 1950s and 1960s, when it was more heavily enforced. People who choose to wear white after Labor Day are no longer heavily criticized for the choice, and are sometimes embraced as fashion forward trendsetters.
The most common confusion about the rule which forbids people to wear white after Labor Day is what garments, exactly, are involved. Originally, the restriction applied only to white dress shoes and pumps, which are unsuitable for winter weather anyway. At some point, the rule was extended to white clothing, but it was in fact always acceptable to wear “winter white” clothing in cream and other off-white colors. Winter brides have also always been allowed to wear whatever they please.
There are several theories about the the rule which governs people who wear white after Labor Day. The first and most sensible is that it reminded people not to wear summer weight clothing during the Winter. It may be tempting to don a pair of light pumps in the crisp weather of early fall, but changing weather can make it an unwise decision. By not wearing white shoes after Labor Day, people can ensure that they don't end up with soiled, cold shoes. It is also conceivable that the the rule not to wear white after Labor Day was adopted as part of a larger movement to “educate” the nouveau riche. Older society families were concerned about the fashion etiquette of more recent additions, and established a complex code of fashion rules to guide them.
Whatever the origins of the idea, restrictions on people who wear white after Labor Day appear to be outmoded except in very traditional society. Many fashion designers offer white as part of their fall and winter lines, often in stunning pieces. In warmer areas of the United States such as Hawaii and Florida, white is also a more acceptable color to wear year round, since unfavorable winter weather is not as much of an issue.
Like many other seemingly idiosyncratic fashion rules, the reasoning behind the ban on wearing white after Labor Day has probably faded from the public mind. For most people, it is safe to wear white after Labor Day, although they may want to consider wearing the color in moderation. In inclement weather, a more sensible color which does not show stains or water is advised. Otherwise, wear white after Labor Day as often as you like.
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Discuss this Article12
anon17926, well insulation is white, but notice how it would go inside the seams of a coat that might not be white? And as the article said, if the wear should get muddy, it's not exactly smart to wear white unless one would like to be constantly cleaning it. Is it any real wonder why most of the winter clothing ends up black or equally dark?Although anon3808 might be extreme in saying that she "almost died" but there are people that do still follow this rule, and if you're a person saying that this rule should be broken for the sake of something like freedom of speech, this person has the choice to do the opposite when she's not harming anyone beyond voicing her displeasure. - anon30978
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Isn't it funny how we invent and keep such silly little rules to make ourselves look more Important for knowing what is Right and Proper?Wearing white at certain times of the year shouldn't be considered bad manners - it's not like belching in public or blowing your nose on someone's sleeve. It doesn't hurt anyone, nor should it annoy anyone. There's absolutely no rational reason for it. What should be considered bad manners is holding onto such silly and outdated pretensions. - anon27841
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White jeans, shoes, pants, shorts, dresses, hats, should never be worn between Labor Day and Easter. It is called good manners. Only the ignorant of decorum would say...oh, it doesn't matter. It shows how much education and attention to propriety a person has. Only break the rule if you want people to think you do not know any better. - anon20104
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To add to this discussion - it has long been said that white outerwear (coats etc) and denim (jeans) are more than acceptable year round. - anon18215
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I believe everyone has their own opinions on whats should and what shouldnt and thus everyone does what they want especially since as women we were given the right to vote. "Making my own decisions" - anon18009
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Trust me, as a life-long Michigan resident, when it's the dead of winter it doesn't matter what color your clothes are. White or black, the light reflectivity or whatever isn't going to make a whole lot of difference when the wind chill is -30 F. The best fashion tip you can give to protect against the winter weather is to invest in a nice heat-retaining coat with good insulation (and guess what? Most insulated underwear is *gasp* white, and will also keep you nice and toasty warm when it's freezing).Oh, and when it's below 30 outside, no one needs to be reminded not to wear summer clothes. Actually, now that I think about it, after a cold snap of below zero temperatures 32 and above starts to feel pretty darn warm. ^_^ As for the "etiquette", I'll agree to it when I hear a logical reason behind it. Call me when someone finds it again.
- anon17926
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Who cares if people wear white after Labor Day? The world has bigger problems than this! - anon16599
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Omg yeah, to the lady that lives in manhattan, what's the big deal?? it's a new century, stop living like you're stuck in the 50s. Katherine Heigl just proved that it's as old of a rule as girls not showing their ankles. - anon9166
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To the person that posted above me that says she wanted to die when she saw someone on tv wear all white..plz lady get a life!
I dont see what the big deal is, why do you care about what others choose to wear! I bet if all you had was a white pair of jeans and white blouse you'd put that on real quick.
- anon7718
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I live in Manhattan and every year I see more and more people wearing white after labor day. I was brought up to NEVER even think about it. I think it's sad how this rule is slowly dying. At this years Emmy awards, Katherine Heigl was named as one of the best dressed at the show, dressed in an ALL white gown...I almost died. - anon3808
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Why is this so hard for people? White deflects heat. Thus, white clothing helps you keep slightly cooler in the summer. Ditto for lighter weight fabrics. Heavy fabrics or dark colors hold in heat, making you hotter in summer and warmer in winter. So, it's simply smarter to wear light-weight fabrics in white or near-white colors in summer and heavy and/or dark colored fabrics in winter. As for shoes, everyone knows that sandals are cold in winter, whatever color they are. Pretty much everyone I know already knew this without a huge debate about it. - anon3720
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