Can You Wear White After Labor Day? — The Wardrobe Consultant | Hallie Abrams (2024)

FAQs

Is it OK to wear white after Labor Day? ›

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.

According to the Farmer's Almanac, the concept of not wearing white after Labor Day started in the 19th century as a way for the upper class to separate themselves from the working class.

While there are many who still choose to live by the tradition-based guideline that you must wait until Memorial Day to wear white, there are others who favor a different date: Easter.

As Labor Day represents the end of summer, the rule was established that you shouldn't wear white after the holiday if you don't have the money to take fall and winter vacations. The no-white rule starts after Labor Day and lifts on Memorial Day on the last Monday of May, at the beginning of summer.

You can absolutely wear white after Labor Day. However, there are some ways to wear white that help it transition to fall more easily.

The “no white after Labor Day” rule is no more, and today we can feel free to rock the white well into the cooler months. Personally I love this trend. Wearing white jeans after Labor Day is a great way to look modern and hip without having to buy anything new.

White jeans are Winter-friendly

White jeans are a great way to make a statement and stay warm in winter. They're also great for those days when you want to look chic, but don't want to sacrifice your style.

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.

Now that we've agreed it is acceptable to wear white in winter, let's look at how to do it well. White gives any outfit a breath of freshness. Cream, ivory, beige, snow, off-white, taupe, and soft grey are just some of the winter white shades that work well with any other color and instantly create a bright new mood.

Women such as Jane Fonda, Diane Keaton, Martha Stewart, Helen Mirren and Joan Collins all know an effective way to brighten the complexion and look younger is to wear something white, which reflects the light. Knowing your most flattering shade is vital.

Is there a rule about wearing white? ›

So what's the bottom line here? You can wear white any time of year so long as you match the fabric to the season. Wear white cotton and linen in summer, white wool, crepe, and cashmere in winter. So those are the “rules” for wearing white.

Prior to the advent of air conditioning, clothing choices were important when trying to keep cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Whites and lighter-weight fabrics were more popular during the warm months, and in the winter, people naturally switched to darker colors and heavier fabrics.

The “no white after Labor Day” rule is dated. So yes, you can totally wear white jeans in the fall and winter, and there are ways to style them for the cooler season. So, can you wear pink in the winter? Absolutely!

Wearing White After Labor Day Etiquette.

“Tradition dictates guests avoid wearing red out of fear that it could take attention away from the happy couple,” explains Hurwitz. “Visually, it's quite bold. In a photo, your eye is immediately drawn to the color, especially if it's next to neutrals like white, black, gray, or beige.”

Short answer: of course! The “don't wear white after Labor Day” rule is incredibly outdated. However, many people still question whether it's a fashion faux pas to don white once the temperature takes a nosedive.

All white:

Try wearing all white with gray hair! White mimics the whiteness of your gorgeous gray 'do. An all-white ensemble gives you a very light, almost angelic feeling because from head-to-toe you are light-toned.

Yes, you totally can

Who says you can't wear a white dress at night? We get it: White is a risky color in the first place (clumsy girls who spill their wine, beware), but the choice to wear it when it's dark out feels doubly counterintuitive.

In a word, yes. White and light colors make us look larger than dark colors, plus they're less forgiving in tight places, so consider choosing one size larger than you usually do. Overly tight white denim can have a sausage casing effect on the thighs, knees, and calves, which is very unforgiving on everyone.

Wearing white used to be a trend only for the spring and summer but you can get away with wearing white head to toe all year round.

Can you wear cream shoes with white pants? ›

Other Neutrals & Earth Tones

But, what about all those neutral shoes like sand, taupe, tan, beige, nude, linen, ivory and cream? Easy. They all look great with white jeans. Light neutral shoes are probably the easiest option for bright white denim.

You can easily winterize your white jeans with boots, layers, coats, and texture. In fact, it makes winter white look appealing.

White jeans are a chic base for an outfit all year-round. Dressing for the climate is always a must, but you can certainly wear your white pants into the fall and beyond.

A selection of polos, versatile button up shirts and lightweight sweaters, paired with a casual jacket and a sportcoat, give you a variety of outfit options that look good and keep you comfortable throughout the day.

Go for a cheap multipack. Clothes wise, immediately post-partum or for coming home, I would recommend stretchy dresses or leggings and a large t-shirt or vest in the summer months. In the colder months, joggers, leggings, or trusty maternity dungarees are perfect. A hoody or cardigan to keep warm too.

Loose styles of pants are a good idea as you may be feeling sore after the birth, particularly if you had a caesarean . Big, high-waisted briefs are the way to go after caesareans as bikini styles could rub on your scar. Women who've had a caesarean are particularly encouraged to wear cotton underwear .

Even when going all-out white, stop when you get to your toes. Go bright and bold in cobalt or cherry red, or reach for basic black shoes.

Fashion experts answering the question can you wear white in the winter have one clear answer for you: yes, but mix the whites and blend in some light neutral shades as well.

The color of winter white isn't stark white. Instead, the shade is more of an ivory or a slightly greyed out white, like ecru. Before you wear your white jeans in January, know that the crisp, clean, bright shade of summer white won't necessarily work.

What hair color makes you look younger? ›

Caramel, honey, gold, copper, and strawberry give a healthy brightness that makes us look and feel younger. (Framing your face with lighter shades draws the eye away from any complexion concerns, as well.)

A preference for 'white' color shows innocence. White reflects all other colors. It embraces innocence, peace, virginity, solemn, hope, purity, kindness, consideration, patience, simplicity spirituality, soothing, simplicity and Idealism.

Off-white is often the choice of men who find pure white to be too showy or bold. For these gents, wearing a more muted off-white would be more comfortable.

Fashion. In fashion, the color white is often used to evoke a sense of purity, innocence, freshness, or cleanliness.

Wearing the correct white clothes can make you look thinner, and the wrong color of white can age you! When you switch out your whites for the correct ones, it can take years to your face and take the illusion of added pounds off your body. With the “right white,” you'll look younger and healthier!

That may help you figure it out, just remember those with cool undertones look best in white – and those with warm undertones look best in cream. If you look significantly better in silver jewellery that's also a sign that you should be wearing white instead of cream. Those with warm undertones look great in gold.

While every New Zealand rugby player growing up wanted to wear the All Black jersey, the novelty of playing in white was something the players appreciated for its uniqueness. Because of how schedules fell, some players could play 50-60 Tests and never experience playing in a different coloured jersey.

According to the Farmer's Almanac, the concept of not wearing white after Labor Day started in the 19th century as a way for the upper class to separate themselves from the working class.

Consider one of the the oldest myths in fashion, busted. Wearing white after Labor Day is viewed by some as a fashion faux pas, but experts we spoke to say otherwise.

Let's debunk this fashion myth once and for all. The answer to the question, “can you wear white after Labor Day?” is a resounding YES!

Can you wear pastel colors after Labor Day? ›

After Labor Day Don't's

Much like the “you can't wear white after Labor Day” rule we all know and love, pastel colors are a slippery slope. Pastel colored pants should be worn only in emergencies (and probably not even then). Seriously, if you're out in pastels, people might actually send help.

In the stodgy old days of strict fashion rules, wearing light coloured khakis in the colder months was verboten. But times have changed. And with them, the archaic notion that you can't rock white after Labour Day. Well, this rule is old and outdated.

Steer clear of off-white, eggshell, beige, champagne, cream, or any other super light color that could be mistaken for white. There are so many dress options available in a variety of hues, so steering clear of these shades should not be a major issue.

Why you shouldn't wear red to a funeral. Wearing red to a funeral can be a sign of disrespect. It will give others a completely wrong impression if you wear a bright and bold colour to a funeral, as this goes against the dark, muted colours associated with sadness and mourning.

To recap: as long as it's not considered culturally inappropriate or against the dress code, you can wear black to a wedding. Depending on where the couple is exchanging vows, which season their special day is taking place in, and what time of day everything begins, black may or may not be your best color option.

Is it appropriate to wear white jeans in winter? Of course it's appropriate! White jeans can be worn with neutral, dark, or jewel tone colors to keep them looking season appropriate. But honestly, white looks amazing with any color.

Now that we've agreed it is acceptable to wear white in winter, let's look at how to do it well. White gives any outfit a breath of freshness. Cream, ivory, beige, snow, off-white, taupe, and soft grey are just some of the winter white shades that work well with any other color and instantly create a bright new mood.

For especially cold days, opt for cozy but chic coordinate sets in shades of eggshell or off-white. Keep the rest of the look minimal, letting the unexpected winter hue speak for itself.

White jeans are Winter-friendly

White jeans are a great way to make a statement and stay warm in winter. They're also great for those days when you want to look chic, but don't want to sacrifice your style.

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."

When can you wear white in winter? ›

The perfect counter balance to everything. But there's something so refreshing and uplifting about wearing white in winter. It's free and pure, like an entree to spring's main course. However the Americans have a “fashion rule” that says you can't wear white after Labor Day (the first Monday in September).

White jeans are a chic base for an outfit all year-round. Dressing for the climate is always a must, but you can certainly wear your white pants into the fall and beyond.

Wearing white used to be a trend only for the spring and summer but you can get away with wearing white head to toe all year round.

One simple approach is to get “winter” jeans. The most common cold-weather improvement on basic denim jeans is the addition of a lining. Flannel lined jeans are a classic (usually with a rustic plaid lining), and some companies use synthetic fleece materials like polar fleece or sherpa lining underneath denim as well.

The start of the rule against wearing white after Labor Day or before Memorial Day is a bit ambiguous, according to various fashion sites I found online. The prevailing theory is that wealthy women wore crisp, clean white in the warmer months, while the working class wore dark colors.

Wearing white in winter is also a natural choice: it's the color of snow, ice, the soft fur of some animals, of the cold reflections of the light that are so characteristic for the cold season. And it's also a safe style choice that can be incredibly chic, especially in the colder months.