Why shouldn't you wear white after Labor Day?

Answer 1

yeah...i never got the concept.

Answer 2

As with many customs and etiquette dictums, it's difficult to pin down the reason behind the prohibition against white after Labor Day. We searched on variations of "wear white after Labor Day" and sifted through the Etiquette and Fashion categories in the Yahoo! Directory. We managed to turn up a bit of information on the fashion dictate.
Originally, the rule was more along the lines of "Only wear white shoes between Memorial Day and Labor Day." Furthermore, it mainly applied to white pumps or dress shoes. White tennis shoes and off-white boots seem exempt, as are any shoes worn by a winter bride. "Winter white" clothing (e.g., cream-colored wool) is acceptable between Labor Day and Memorial Day too.

The only logical reasoning we could find cited temperature. Image consultant Nancy Penn suggests that because white reflects light and heat, wearing white would make you cooler in winter, and thus should be avoided. But others suggest the rule stems from a class issue. Acting Director of the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology Valerie Steele notes that in the late 19th century and the 1950s, more people were entering the middle classes. These nouveau-riche folks were often unaware of the standards of high society, so they were given specific codified rules to follow in order to fit in.

Several sites quoted a charming refrain about G.R.I.T.S. -- girls raised in the South. This bit of folklore states, "Southern girls know bad manners when they see them," and a clear sign of bad manners is wearing white shoes before Easter or after Labor Day. Because fashions in the American South can be a little more formal than elsewhere, perhaps the no-white-shoes rule came from south of the Mason-Dixon Line? Even Star Jones (an otherwise fashion-forward Southern lady) admits that white shoes "are for Easter Sunday and not the dead of winter."

We can only surmise that the point of this rule is to ensure that people only wear summer fashions during the actual summer months. The opposite probably applies as well, but people generally don't need to be reminded to avoid wearing a goose-down parka in 100-degree weather. If you live in a locale with summer temperatures year-round, we can't see the harm in wearing white shoes or a head-to-toe white outfit in October. And we promise not to tell Miss Manners.

Answer 3

Its just a saying - white is considered a summer color so after Labor day you wear darker colors for the cooler seasons. But feel free not to follow that rule - I never do! :)

Answer 4

This rule mainly applies to shoes. I grew up being told by my mother to not wear white shoes after labor day.

The only logical reason I've seen is that white shoes reflect light/heat and could make you colder than in winter. Other than that, I think it's just a way to get people to buy certain colors for winter and certain colors for spring.

I don't think it matters anymore, but people used to consider it bad manners. Regardless, I will be wearing my white sandals tomorrow.

Answer 5

i'm not sure. but if you aren't supposed to wear white after labor day, than why do designers make white coats for the winter?

Answer 6

bc. white is for summer n u can wear a white top just not pants or shoes that are white. It is tacky to wear white pants and shoes in the fall and winter which is after labour day.

Answer 7

Well, winter months are considered to be colder and darker, therefore black is supposedly more appropriate to wear. Same goes with the whole not wearing black after Memorial Day. Personally, I don't agree.

Answer 8

Because You Go Back To Work And White Gets Dirty Easier Than Other Colours.


HOPE THIS HELPS.

Answer 9

The rule has changed it's just white shoes and its because it almost fall and white is not a fall color .... gawd

Answer 10

Ummm I dunno but I heard that since the day after Labor Day is the starting of fall you don't wear white cuz summer and spring are for light colors and fall is for darker colors. That's what I heard so I dunno if its true but hope this helps.

Answer 11

That actually no longer holds true...avoid white pumps or sandals but everything else goes....winter white