Why Can't You Wear White After Labor Day
Last updated November 14, 2024
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A widely accepted fashion guideline implies that you shouldn't wear white post Labor Day, however, what is the origin of this style rule?
What prompted its inception, and is wearing white post-Labor Day truly a mistake? Can you wear white after Labor Day?
Here’s what you should understand about sporting white post Labor Day together with the origins of this fashion norm.
How Did 'You Can't Wear White After Labor Day' Begin?
Why can't you wear white after Labor Day? Research indicates that there are two main theories regarding why individuals are dissuaded from wearing white following Labor Day.
An initial and widely recognized explanation relates to the weather.
For many, Labor Day signifies the conclusion of warm temperatures and summer.
Typically, this is the season when individuals change out their wardrobes from summer attire to winter clothing.
Although materials are the primary difference between summer and winter attire, the hues usually shift to darker tones for winter.
Consequently, individuals were advised against wearing white post-Labor Day in order to prevent conflicting with winter clothing hues.
Then, the second explanation centers on wealth. Wealthy people wore lighter colors as they could afford to holiday out of town during the summer.
These wealthy people sported white throughout the season as wearing white post-Labor Day was seen as a display of affluence.
It was likewise a method of differentiating between old money and new money since new money wasn't very familiar with etiquette.
Thus, donning white post-Labor Day indicated who was truly wealthy and who recently came into wealth.
Can You Wear White After Labor Day?
Yes, you can wear white after Labor Day. This rule regarding colors to wear post-Labor Day isn't taken seriously again.
It had served to differentiate between individuals engaged in manual labor and those in office jobs.
However, in this contemporary age, individuals employed in low-paying positions have the opportunity to wear white, provided the job permits it.
Consequently, the norm has diminished significantly in significance.
How Long Has This Rule Been Existing?
Rules concerning colors to be worn year-round date back up to late 19th century, around the Industrial Revolution period.
This previously unvoiced norm, now widely acknowledged, was established by the old money aristocracy, intending to distinguish themselves from the newly affluent.
Conclusion
Throughout the years, numerous people have viewed the guideline of refraining from white attire post-Labor Day as an issue.
Then, in the period of the 1920s, pioneer Coco Chanel transformed the fashion industry by incorporating white as an important element in her attire, no matter the season.
Now, numerous fashion icons wear white throughout the entire year.
Therefore, refraining from wearing white after Labor Day is now obsolete and insignificant.
