Breaking the Rule: Wearing White After Labor Day

If there's one fashion rule that practically everyone has heard, it's this: wearing white after Labor Day is a big fashion faux-pas.

But why? As ubiquitous as this rule is, it's also extremely obscure. Does anyone actually know why we can't wear white after this particular federal holiday? Where did that rule come from? Is it still a thing? And what happens if you break it?

We personally think rules like this are pretty silly. Fashion should be about wearing what makes you feel best, regardless of the color. And these days, most of the world agrees with us. We're pretty sure most people aren't adhering to the Don't wear white after Labor Day rule anymore.

But we were curious about the origins of this rule, and particularly about whether it applies to swimwear. So we did a little digging...and what we found may surprise you!

The Origin of the No-White Rule 

As with many outdated fashion rules, the No white after Labor Day rule can be traced to the 19th Century (1800-1900) and early 20th Century. Queen Victoria ruled the British Empire at the time, so this period is also often referred to as the Victorian Age.

This was a time of massive social upheaval and extreme classism. The Industrial Revolution meant that most people were crowded together in cities - where the poor labored in factories and the wealthy ran those factories.

Cities were, in those days, terrible places to be. They were crowded, dirty, full of disease, and overrun with vermin. During the summer, add to this the oppressive heat, and you have a recipe for misery. This is why the wealthy - who had the means - chose to escape the city during the summer months and head for more temperate climes like the beach or countryside.

When they left on their summer vacations, wealthy vacationers would pack their summer clothes: loose, white linens that reflected the sun's rays and kept the wearer cool. These types of clothes were necessary to beat the heat, but highly impractical: white shows dirt easily, and must be cleaned regularly. Wearing white, then, became not only practical in summer, but also a way to show one's status. Someone wearing white was obviously not concerned about the cost of keeping their clothes clean.

It was also around this time that tennis began to grow in popularity (mainly in country clubs attended by the wealthy in the summer.) White became a staple of tennis and sport wear, because although it shows dirt, it does not show sweat.

At the end of summer, the wealthy would pack all their white clothes away and head back to the city - a place so filthy that white literally couldn't be worn, because the streets were just too grimy. As Vogue magazine wrote in 1925:

"White, while perfect for the country, is, because it soils so easily, impossible for town wear."

Wearing white after Labor Day then, began purely out of necessity: wear white in summer because it keeps you cool (and because it won't get too dirty in the country, and you can afford to wash it.) Don't wear it in the city during the winter, because it will just get ruined.

Why Fashion Rules Have Changed

In the centuries since, fashion rules have changed. The invention of the washing machine meant that people were able to wash their own clothes at home, fairly cheaply. Cities became cleaner and less grimy to walk around.

Globalism and the spread of the fast, throwaway fashion industry means that clothes are no longer as expensive as they used to be - so people worry less about taking care of them.

And finally, increases in personal freedom and the championing of self-expression means people are more likely to flout rules and wear whatever they want, whenever they want.

Does the No-White Rule Apply to Swimwear?

As far as we can tell, the No white rule never applied to swimwear! Which makes sense: swimwear was only ever worn in the summer, so there would be no need to have a winter rule for it. No one would need to be reminded not to wear white swimwear while they were walking around the city streets because...well, wearing swimwear while you're walking around the city streets would be insane, even by today's standards.

Keep in mind also, that swimwear in the 19th Century was very different from what we consider swimwear today! Back then, women wore full-length dresses that went all the way to the wrists and ankles to swim, and even men were expected to cover up with a knee-length romper.

These swimsuits were usually made of darker colors and thicker fabrics, to retain modesty, so the likelihood that a swimsuit would have ever been white at all was rare.

Embracing White in Your Wardrobe Year-Round

So how can you incorporate white into your fall and winter outfits? White pieces are easy to work into your summer season wardrobe - sundresses, linen shirts and pants, hats, and cover-ups. But what about winter, when heavier fabrics and darker colors reign supreme?

Accessories

One way to do it is to use it as an accent color for things like gloves, hats, and scarves. A white scarf, or a white faux-fur lining in a hood makes you look rich and fancy without actually costing very much. And a pair of white gloves is the ultimate status symbol, no matter what they're made of.

Formal Wear

Winter is a time for lush indoor parties, dinners, and formal events. Why not wear a white dress for your next dinner party? A long white coat over your evening attire?

Summer Vacation in the Winter?

Why not bust out your resort wear in the middle of December? Take a trip down to Cabo or the Caribbean and enjoy a tropical getaway at the perfect time of year!

Literally Anything Else!

As we said: no one really adheres to the No white after Labor Day rule any more. So wear it whenever you want! White jeans? Why not! A completely white outfit? Sure! White attire can be worn at literally any time of the year - it's all about what makes you feel like a million bucks, so if white is what you're feeling, go for it!

Practical Tips for Wearing White

White looks great when it's clean and pressed. Unfortunately - as the Victorians knew only too well - it quickly starts to look grubby. Here are a few tips for maintaining a crisp, slick look.

Don't Go Mud Wrestling

This is obvious, but if you want your white pieces to look fresh and clean, don't wear them somewhere they are likely to get dirty. Sunday brunch with the girls? Great. Sunday afternoon BBQ with your six nieces, who will definitely be covered in BBQ sauce? Not so great.

Rinse Out Sweat

While white won't show sweat immediately, prolonged exposure to sweat can cause the fabric to stain or discolor. If you sweat into your whites, don't let it hang around. Wash it out.

Bleach Gently

Bleach will only work on pieces that are all white, and you must be careful not to over-bleach. Most white pieces will have a tag that tells you exactly how to wash them, so always read the manufacturer's instructions before bleaching.

Add a Bold Pop

Pairing with a dark accessory or an item of dark clothing is a great way to make white look even whiter. A black belt, deep purple scarf, bold red shoes, or accent with an intricate pattern not only calls attention to the accent piece, but also makes the white it's accenting look even cleaner.

Conclusion

No white after Labor Day is an outdated rule - although its origins are interesting! These days we don't need to worry so much about keeping our vacation attire separate from our regular attire, and we don't need to keep our white clothes safe from filthy city centers. 

So if you want to wear white after Labor Day, go right ahead! Just make sure you properly clean and care for your white clothes, and don't be afraid to pair with a pop of color!