White After Labor Day
Meghan Markle in November 2017
What’s your opinion on wearing white after Labor Day? Each year I question this fashion rule and try to decide which way I’m going to go for those remaining warm months leading into winter- or when I lived in New Orleans, those warmer months all year-long. If it’s hot outside should I wear those cotton, white shorts? I remember a few years ago I wore bright white, flared jeans for Christmas with a winter white turtleneck sweater and a cheetah fur coat. It was a really pretty outfit, but I might change it up next time around.
the history:
Back in the day, clothing was worn for functionality. In the summer, lighter fabrics to keep the body cool generally consisted of light colors to attract less heat from the sun. So in the winter people wore darker fabrics that were heavier and kept warmth on the body. This was the purpose of not wearing light colors or “white” after summer.
But, the whole idea behind not wearing white specifically after “Labor Day” was an Americanized way to create another fashion market for summer attire when going on vacation. Some said it also separated those with and without wealth. People who could afford to go on vacation during the summer used “white” clothes in their summer wardrobe because of the past functional purposes (or current, like real linen which keeps you cool in the heat). After Labor Day, it was time to put the summer clothes away and switch to a fall wardrobe.
Now most of our fast-fashion clothes today are made of polyester and there is more access to air condition so we don’t really dress for the weather. Not to mention, the rising heat everywhere around the country keeps it hotter for a longer time, making it difficult to actually dress for fall.
what I do:
Labor Day is kind of like the unofficial end to summer, so I stick to it as the date in my own mind of entering fall (aka not wearing summer clothes anymore). Do you have to do that? Definitely not, but It’s already been recognized in the fashion world as that date (to stop wearing white so to speak), so it just works for me.
I still wear white after Labor Day, but I usually wear more of a winter white, which looks like a darker white/cream color, unless the bright white I wear is made of a warm fabric like wool, similar to Meghan Markle’s coat pictured above. I do this because I like the history behind wearing a darker color with thicker fabrics for warmth beginning in the fall and during the cold months of the year.
Since quality fabrics like wool are more expensive, not very accessibly available, and also not as much of a necessity as they used to be, I follow this idea more for the fall “look.” So this doesn’t always have to do with clothing functionality, it’s more of a preference I have.
Summer white is more of that stark white you see made of cotton and linen, and in my opinion even if it’s still warm outside I just don’t think it looks as great in the fall and winter. I would prefer to wear dark-colored shorts once fall hits if it’s still hot. For me it has nothing to do with an elitist way of dressing, it more has to do with the changing time of year, the “sweater weather,” and the fall and winter colors we all love so much. In my opinion, darker white and white from thick materials just go better with this time of year.
a stylist’s point of view:
One of my dearest friends, who’s had a long-time career in fashion told me that wearing white after Labor Day is all about the fabrics. Wool and winter white are the way to go. A great example — Jennifer Lopez’s white pantsuit in the movie Maid in Manhattan; a perfect white, wintry look. Dressing for the seasons can be beautiful, and recognizing that certain clothes and fabrics look best during different times of the year makes for great style.
If you’re into fashion and have an interest or appreciation for this idea then you might follow it. But today, what you wear is ultimately up to your preference and what you find fits your style. So based on how I feel about white after Labor Day right now, if I went back in time I probably would save the thin, bright white jeans I wore on Christmas for springtime and exchange them for some winter white pants instead.