Why Can’t You Wear White After Labor Day?
Even if you don’t follow fashion traditions, chances are you’ve heard the expression, “Don’t wear white after Labor Day.” But where does this rule come from and should you still follow it today? Turns out, it’s not so black and white! (Psst … see our Labor Day weather forecast for your region!)
White Clothing—A Sign of Wealth?
The “Don’t wear white after Labor Day” rule may have stemmed from practicality. Prior to the advent of air conditioning, clothing choices were important for keeping cool in the summer. 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. Perhaps since people already chose light colors to stay cool in the summer, the fashion world went ahead and made the rule an official one. Once Labor Day (the unofficial end of summer) arrived, it was time to retire those whites.
However, others speculate that the rule came from the fashion practices of the wealthy. 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.
Some historians believe that this rule was actually a way for the wealthy to separate themselves from the working class. Not only could they afford vacations—and the expensive clothes to match—but they didn’t do work that stained their white clothes. Middle-class laborers, on the other hand, often wore darker colors even in the summer to hide the dirt and grime that accumulated after a hard day’s work.
By the 1950s, not wearing white after Labor Day was a firm rule among the wealthy, who regarded it as a symbol of refinement. The “new money” types weren’t always as well-versed in the rules of etiquette and made fashion faux pas. In fact, those who adopted the “no white after Labor Day” rule were often seen more favorably, as ambitious up-and-comers were willing to learn the rules surrounding their new social circle.
Rules Are Meant To Be Broken
As with most things in fashion, rules are meant to be broken. Breaking the norm, many fashion enthusiasts happily flaunt their white attire even after Labor Day. Back in the 1920s, fashion icon Coco Chanel revolutionized the industry by keeping white as a permanent staple in her wardrobe, regardless of the season. Even in present times, many modern fashion elites follow this trend by wearing white all year-round.
While there are still those who consider post-Labor Day white clothing a no-no, plenty of fashion-forward people say if you have a flattering garment you love, wear it whenever you want, no matter the color and no matter the season. Good advice!
Do you like to wear white after Labor Day? Tell us in the comments below!
Amber Kanuckel
Amber Kanuckel is a freelance writer from rural Ohio who loves all things outdoors. She specializes in home, garden, environmental, and green living topics.
- Amber Kanuckel#molongui-disabled-link
- Amber Kanuckel#molongui-disabled-link
- Amber Kanuckel#molongui-disabled-link
- Amber Kanuckel#molongui-disabled-link
I live in Florida where you can wear white almost all year round.
I’ve always been puzzled about wearing white after Labor Day……. I never new the answer till now. 27 yrs. ago I had to wear a white shirt for work all yr. round. Great article !
Thanks, Deborah! We really appreciate you letting us know that this was helpful content for you. Best wishes!
Last year, here 8n Texas, we were still in the triple digits, temperature-wise, after Labor Day for a couple of weeks and triple digits heat index for a while after that. You bet that I still wore white after Labor Day.
I was brought up NOT to wear white after Labor Day. I’m 77 and I still follow that “tradition”. Why you ask, I have no clue. My mother instilled that in me and perhaps as a result of my upbringing and respect for my mother, I won’t wear white after Labor Day.
Hi Rosemary, Thanks for sharing your memory of your mother here with your FA community. We hope you enjoy the last days of summer and have a wonderful fall season.
I have know about this rule since I was a child. Now maybe in your next article you can discuss Winter White.
Ah, interesting thought, Jean! FA Community, what do you think? Respond to this thread if you would like to hear more about “winter white.”
Yes yes yes
I never heard of the rule until the last couple of months. I thought it was preposterous until I looked it up on google.
So I asked my husband if he knew why people didn’t wear white after Labor Day?
He quickly answered because darker clothes retain the sun’s heat, making it warmer on the colder days, where as white reflects the sun’s heat during hot days. I was surprised and shocked he knew this. Um so he just guessed a reason, but honestly it’s the best explanation I’ve heard, from somebody who has no clue why people don’t wear white after Labor Day.
Surprised a man would know this!
Why are you surprised? Men are proven to be more logical.
Proven? By what standard? Not the old ” everybody knows” one …
Yeah. My 4 brothers knew this from my mom.
I find our traditions so fascinating. No white after labor day is one of my favorite for sure. A little bit silly, yet functional I suppose. 🙂
I never cared much about clothing colors relating to the calendar, just wear whatever I want whenever… with occasional holiday exceptions.
As you should.
I’ll bt it had something to do with the difficulty of keeping white clean in the filth of the wet and snow and mud!
I love the no white after Labor Day!!! Classic….
I prefer to wear white year round. I’m not a painter I work with bees preferably at night. So hopefully I’m more visible at night. I’ve done alot of night driving. I’ve work in the first responders scene for over 11 years and the majority of car pedestrians accidents the pedestrians are wearing dark colored cloths. And the drivers didn’t see them till it was to late. This was before the Proliferation of cell phones. Personal opinion I don’t wanna be a statistic
Always thought it was stupid, but never knew exactly why, now I know why and it for sure is a stupid rule!
I live in Texas and it really doesn’t start getting cool until late September early October, which is usually fair time. Thats when I stop wearing white .
Generally I don’t wear white after labor day where I live in Pittsburgh. My Beach vacation isn’t until the end of September every year; but my wardrobe at the beach is white and a lot of bright colors always…… 🙂