Why is Wearing White After Labor Day Considered Taboo?
I swear some fashion rules are made in a little corner of the woods and creep out when everyone is sleeping. I mean really I’m not supposed to wear white after Labor Day? Have you seen how good winter white jeans look? Trust me, they’re cuter than babies chubby cheeks and squishy puppies. So how did not being able to wear white after labor day come to be? Read on to find out.
How did this saying come to be?
The real reasoning started back in the 1930’s when the elite would try to differentiate the old money from the new money. People who had money were able to leave the city and vacation somewhere warm. Since styles where much more conservative the only way to keep them cool was to wear lighter colors, aka white. Those who stayed in the city, working dirty jobs, would wear darker clothes. Once the elite returned to the cities they would say goodbye to their linens and hello to darker clothes again. Thus, the reasoning why wearing white after labor day was a sign of summer being over. (You can read more about this on Marie Claire).
Do you really need to follow it?
Style is all about expression. You feel like wearing a one-piece swimsuit as a bodycon? Do it. You feel like wearing drop-crotch pants? Do it and rock it. You want to wear 8-inch heels to a baseball game? Do it if it makes you happy. Style is all about you and you alone. I can give you a million tips on this blog like how to rock a sleeveless dress during the fall or how to make a dress warm for date night, but nothing is going to make you happier than wearing something that you feel comfortable in. So, rock what you have and if white jeans, shorts, tops, dresses make you happy then go on and rock on.
As for me, I’m just not quite ready to pack up my summer dresses, summer whites, and my favorite pair of espadrilles. Call it global warming or not, I’ll be keeping cool as the summer continues on in New England (it is a whopping 95°F today). I’ll be rocking my pair of white denim jeans until I accidentally spill a bottle of ketchup on them or decide to wear them on the muddiest day of the year. They make me happy. I’ll be damned if I’m not going to wear something that makes me happy just because some of some stupid made up rule.
Also, if it makes you feel any better Coco Channel and Tommy Hilfiger are all about being able to wear white after Labor Day.
Shop for White After Labor Day
[shopr_shopthepost collection=”labor-day”]
So what do you think about the wearing white after Labor Day rule? Are you for or against it? Let me know in the comments down below.
As always,
15 Comments
thecrookedtrailblog
I never understood this. White looks classic, I wear it all year!
PeculiarPorter
Yessss me too! I love winter whites the most 💕
K.M. Sutton
Yassss girl! I actually rocked a white skirt on Tuesday, the day AFTER Labor Day! Lol. I am such a rebel; p But joking aside, as you wrote fashion is a form of expression and thus people should wear whatever they want. With fall being more like July and August in the Northeast these days, I would rather be cool AND fashionable! <3
PeculiarPorter
Omg I’m right there with you! I wore a white dress yesterday with no shame whatsoever! Also, I totally agree! It still feels like it’s early August not the first week of September!
theinspoedit
I’m always amazed by your knowledge of style and fashion! Plus who knew there was such an interesting history behind not wearing white after labor day!
PeculiarPorter
You are so sweet! It’s crazy how trends and rules come to be and how over time people forget why that was even a thing!
Jordan Nelson
Yes girl! I made my parents throw an all white labor day party in celebration haha. Fashion is YOUR style. Wear while year round or never. Fashion knows no bounds.
Cheers,
Jordan| http://www.dailycupofjojo.com
PeculiarPorter
Hahahah oh my gosh I love that! I couldn’t agree more, Jordan! 💕
Becoming His Tapestry
I’ve never been a rule follower when it comes to my clothes; except of course I do follow the rule that I should not go out naked 🙂 🙂 🙂 love that outfit
PeculiarPorter
Hahahah oh my gosh I think it’s good to follow that rule 😂
Becoming His Tapestry
😂😂😂
Strength and Sunshine
White 365 for me!
PeculiarPorter
Yessss! Glad I’m not the only one! 💕
Lisa Autumn
Oh you look beautiful girl!
x Lisa | lisaautumn.com
PeculiarPorter
Thank you so much Lisa! 💕