Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to Marie Claire. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Before you know it, you'll be packing away your sundresses and summer sandals to make room for chunky sweaters and over-the-knee boots. But there's one fashion category I always hesitate to retire: The all-white outfits and cream-colored pieces I've accumulated over the years. The age-old question―"Can I wear white after Labor Day?"—has long haunted fashion lovers everywhere. Many people (including me) have have feared wearing their favorite white pieces during September and beyond in order to prevent censure and condemnation, but is this necessary? Can you, in fact, wear white after Labor Day without committing a fashion crime?
The short answer: Yes! In fact, the story behind this arbitrary post-Labor Day dress code is not only unconvincing, but incredibly classist. Read on to learn why you should give your white jeans a chance to bask in the autumn sun.
The History of the White After Labor Day "Rule"
During the late 19th century, society ladies were engaged in an invisible battle with the nouveau riche, a term used to describe people who'd recently become rich rather than having benefitted from generations of wealth. One of the subtle jabs that the old money crowd used to distinguish themselves from the nouveau riche was to make wearing white after Labor Day a fashion faux pas.
"It [was] insiders trying to keep other people out," says Valerie Steele, director of the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology, in an interview with Time, "and outsiders trying to climb in by proving they know the rules."
(Image credit: Roland Schoor)
The Vacation Theory
Some etiquette authorities like Judith Martin rebuff this class theory, with Martin telling Time, "There are always people who want to attribute everything in etiquette to snobbery. There were many little rules that people did dream up in order to annoy those from whom they wished to disassociate themselves. But I do not believe this is one of them."
The true reason could be much simpler. After Labor Day—the first Monday of September—became a federal holiday in 1894, it came to symbolically mark the end of summer. Vacationers packed away their breezy white dresses and linen button-downs in favor of darker-hued clothing, like navy suits and gray sweaters. "There used to be a much clearer sense of re-entry," explained Steele to Time. "You're back in the city, back at school, back doing whatever you're doing in the fall—and so you have a new wardrobe."
Plus, for those who had money and could leave the city during warmer months, white was considered vacation attire, with city dwellers more often sticking to dark colors. White linen suits and Panama hats were considered the "look of leisure."
But regardless of how this subjective rule really came about, no modern fashion enthusiast should feel the need to follow it. Wear whatever color you want! Life is too short―and fashion is too fun―to care about what other people think.
For most, the rule no longer applies, so you can style white in your outfits into fall and winter and then back into the spring. And the lack of rule applies everywhere, even the South. According to the Emily Post Institute, white can be worn 365 days a year now.
Of course you can wear white after Labor Day, and it makes perfect sense to do so in climates where September's temperatures are hardly fall-like. It's more about fabric choice today than color.
In the early 1900s, those who were well-to-do often favored lightweight, bright clothing—white linen suits and breezy dresses. Wearing white after Labor Day meant you were someone who had the means to have end-of-summer vacations. Wearing your whites beyond Labor Day was just, well… showing off.
Why can't you wear white after Labor Day? The old-fashioned decree bans us from wearing white during the winter and spring, from Labor Day in September till May Day (another day designated to celebrate workers' rights). One popular theory dates back to the early 1900s.
In 2023, there's no reason not to wear white any time of year. Just stick to the styles and silhouettes you love — and remember to always keep a good stain remover on hand.
Yes, you actually can wear white sneakers in the fall and winter. I wore my white sneakers to death this summer. They're so bright and fresh and fun, and now that we're heading into colder weather, lots of you are asking if you can wear white sneakers in the fall. And the answer is, YES YOU CAN.
Pop Colors. White is one of those colors that goes well everything, but it doesn't go better together than with bold pop of colors. In the winter, you can wear white jeans with color is super easy and fun! If you're feeling that winter down feeling and need a boost this is the perfect way to go about it.
Gone are the days of thinking you can't wear white after Labor Day. So, don't pack away your white jeans with the rest of your Summer wardrobe. White jeans can actually be worn all year round, just change a few things out. I am wearing my favorite perfect vintage white denim from Madewell.
As a neutral color, white should not be considered inappropriate at most North American funerals. Though you should ask the family hosting the service when in doubt, plain, neutral colors are generally acceptable for memorials. Wearing white in conjunction with other dark tones is absolutely appropriate.
Typically, you can't wear white to a wedding because this color is reserved for the couple tying the knot. In Western culture, it's tradition for the bride to wear head-to-toe white on the wedding day, so wearing anything that matches this shade might unintentionally steal the spotlight away from her.
Etiquette expert Emily Post agrees that you can wear white every day of the year. The decision is "more about the fabric choice today than color." This rule is evident when thinking about white wool or cable-knit sweaters. Post says to "wear what's appropriate—for the weather, the season, or the occasion."
Unless the invitation specifies it's an all-white dress code for guests, avoid the color for a wedding, bridal shower, bachelorette party, or rehearsal dinner.
White represents purity or innocence. While a bride wearing white was often thought to convey the bride's virginity, blue was once a traditional color worn by brides to symbolize purity. White is bright and can create a sense of space or add highlights.
' One of the key benefits of white is that it plays to different interiors styles – and as such, is unlikely to ever fall out of fashion. 'Though moody hues are definitely on trend for 2023, white walls will never go totally out of style,' says interior designer Bethany Adams.
With each of the color forecasting authorities backing a color of the year 2023 , designers have enough to model their latest collections on. Pantone Color Institute has set Viva Magenta as its Color of the Year 2023 , while WGSN and Coloro have predicted that Digital Lavender will rule the world of design.
Black, butter yellow, Barbie pink, and sizzling red are the four unmistakable fashion color trends of 2023 for the summer season. Although typically worn more in the wintery months, black has surprisingly been one of the most distinguished colors for Spring/Summer 2023 collections.
Don't forget that you can style white jeans in fall and winter. This classic outfit is elegant and casual looking and one that you will want to duplicate. The wide-leg jeans are HOT this year and one of the biggest trends for jeans. They are extremely popular, and I love how they look.
Introduction: My name is Barbera Armstrong, I am a lovely, delightful, cooperative, funny, enchanting, vivacious, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
