If you grew up anything like me, each Easter you'd pull out a new pair of white Sunday shoes and wear them every week with your dresses, until Labor Day came. From then until the next Easter, it was dark shoes only. Decades later, though, you might be asking: What is that rule about no white after Labor Day, and when can you start wearing it again? Can you wear white after Labor Day in the South? Who started this "rule"? And is it still followed today? Here we answer all those questions and more in a primer on the white after Labor Day rule (and even how to break it), with quotes from fashion experts to back it all up.
Look around at movies and celebrities, and you'll see plenty of evidence of a rule broken (and also a rule followed). As you shop those Labor Day sales (there's so much discounted on Amazon for the holiday!) and partake in Labor Day activities like tailgating or taking a road trip, you can also start plotting out your wardrobe for those early fall, still-warm-but-you're-over-your-summer-clothes days with the white rule (or lack thereof) in mind.
What is the rule about no white after Labor Day?
An unwritten etiquette rule followed by many for years held that white garments and shoes were only worn in the summer, which officially came to its a close on Labor Day after the national holiday was established in 1894.
Who started the no white after Labor Day rule?
There is no one person or group who started the practice. Instead, there are a few historical explanations that started in the 1800s.
For one, wearing white was a way to stay cool in hot summer months. “Not only was there no air-conditioning, but people did not go around in T-shirts and halter tops. They wore what we would now consider fairly formal clothes,” Judith Martin, aka etiquette columnist Miss Manners, told TIME. “And white is of a lighter weight.”
White also became fashionable for well-to-do Americans on summer holiday, a contrast from darker hues worn by the working class in urban areas to befit their daily labor. "By the end of the 19th century, upper-class Americans escaped the summer heat of the city by retreating to the countryside or seaside, where white clothing remained free of the inevitable grime of the increasingly industrialized urban centers," Amanda Hallay, the fashion historian behind The Ultimate Fashion History, told Harper's Bazaar. "This was a sartorially social divide—only those who could afford to wear white could wear white. Not only did the wealthy summer in the far-cleaner countryside, but should their beautiful white dresses get dirty, they had servants to launder them."
Whatever the origins, by the mid-20th century no white after Labor Day had become a custom for polite society, and those aspiring upward mobility could, in part, earn their way in by following such rules.
Still, the rule found resistance in high fashion over the years it was followed. Starting in the 1920s, French fashion designer Coco Chanel wore white year-round as a permanent part of her wardrobe.
Coco Chanel in a white suite in the early 1950s
Do you still have to follow the no white after Labor Day rule?
The answer is NO. 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. What matters more today is fabric than color. Case in point: Marion Cotillard's mermaid-inspired cream dress she sported in 2008 for her Academy Award acceptance speech and the white silk chiffon Jason Wu gown Michelle Obama wore for her husband's first inaugural ball in 2009 in Washington, D.C.
How should you wear white after Labor Day then?
You can wear it however you like! “There are no rules," lifestyle expert and TV host Kathy Buccio told TODAY. "Yes, you can wear all the white in the world if you want.”
As temperatures cool, put away your white linen and spaghetti strap shirts but leave out other white staples to transition them into fall. Pair white sleeved shirts and blouses, white pants and denim, white dresses, white boots, and white sneakers with darker fall essentials and layers—think sweaters and pants and jackets and darker shoes, maybe even some animal print.
And then when it gets real cool outside, there’s winter white—think white knit and cable sweaters, cashmere sweaters, white sneakers, and white turtlenecks—that you can sport until temperatures warm up in the spring.
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Madoline Markham
Assistant Managing Editor
Madoline Markham is the assistant managing editor for Country Living, where she covers shopping, home decor, news, and culture.
FAQs
Labor Day marked the unofficial end of summer, but upper-class families often took vacations after Labor Day to extend the season. Those who stayed in the city to work would transition to darker colors. In other words, wearing white after Labor Day was a sign that you could afford to do so.
Why is there a rule about wearing white after Labor Day? ›
To wear white was a subtle way of showing you weren't doing the landscaping, cooking, or cleaning—or, well, manual labor at all. When fall came, the wealthy packed their whites away. They didn't need to wear them: the temperatures had cooled, the tennis tournaments had finished. But they also couldn't wear them.
Who started the No white after Labor Day? ›
If you could wear white, it often was an indication that you had means and that you didn't do manual labor and you could afford a vacation.” But who exactly started this rule and established it? Sinclair said it was the wealthy women who came from old money who wanted to separate themselves from society.
When can I start wearing white again? ›
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. In fact, Easter is sometimes seen as the true mark of being able to break out your best whites, and it does make sense in some ways.
What does it mean to wear white on New Year's? ›
In many different countries, wearing a certain color on New Year's Eve is an age-old tradition. For example, in Brazil, people wear white to bring peace into the new year. In Italy, red is the color to don for success.
Can you wear white to a funeral? ›
If you're uncertain about the cultural norms or preferences of the funeral you're attending, sticking to universally accepted colors like black, gray, white or navy is a safe bet. These colors are subdued and respectful, making them suitable for most funeral settings across different cultures.
What does wearing white mean? ›
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.
Can I wear white on Memorial Day? ›
Etiquette expert Emily Post agrees that you can wear white everyday of the year. The decision should be “more about the fabric choice today than the color.” Post says, “Wear what's appropriate for the weather, the season, or the occasion.” End the ban on white before Memorial Day.
How long after Labor Day can you not wear white? ›
You can absolutely wear white after Labor Day if you want. Better yet, there's a historical precedent for your trend-thwarting ways: Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, who insisted on swanning around in bright white outfits year-round (so stylish). So go forth and wear what makes you happy!
When not to wear white? ›
There is an unwritten rule that you're to put away your white clothes after the Labor Day holiday, and some theorize that this belief has classist origins.
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.
What is the rule for wearing white pants? ›
Where did the rule of not wearing white after Labor Day come from? This fashion rule can be traced all the way back to the turn of the century, Marie Claire reports. The unspoken rule, now very much spoken, was created by the old money elite, hoping to elevate themselves above the nouveau riche, or newly wealthy.
Can I wear white jeans after Labor Day? ›
Just because Labor Day has come and gone doesn't mean you must pack away your favorite white jeans or slacks. Contrary to the old-fashioned “rule,” we're here to tell you that white pants can absolutely be rocked during the colder months.
What is the color of 2024 in New Year? ›
Pantone named Peach Fuzz (Pantone 13-1023) as its Color of the Year for 2024. The soft, heartfelt hue expresses the desire to nurture kindness, compassion, and connection—all while fostering a deep coziness as we seek a peaceful future.
Can I wear red on New Year's Eve? ›
Red is another win-win color for your New Year party look!
What does wearing blue on New Year's mean? ›
Blue – Calm, Relaxing & Happy. White - Pure, New & Perfect. Red - Energetic, Ambitious & Luck. Bright and Assorted Colors - Happy, Fun & Vibrant.
Why can't you wear white to a wedding? ›
In general, it's not appropriate for guests to wear white to a wedding. "When you're a guest at a wedding, the most important thing to keep in mind is not to upstage or upset the bride," says wedding dress designer Madeline Gardner. "It's safe to stay away from any outfits that are predominantly white, cream or ivory."
Can I wear white pants in winter? ›
White pants can, in fact, be worn any time of year, even past the antiquated Labor Day expiration date rule. You might think that a pair of white pants is not the wisest choice for a slushy, post-snow-storm sidewalk—but it's clear that many of our street style muses disagree.
