why do we have a fashion rule about wearing white before and after a certain time?

Question

I don't truly understand the fashion rule about not wearing white before easter and after labor day. I mean what is up with that! then we have a such color as winter white. Now i'm totally confused, because white is white to me and I wear white whenever I feel like an outfit is cute!! No certain time of year. Someone please explain?

Answer 1

It's an old, old school rule which is no longer applicable, just a silly fashion rule from days when women also wore white gloves at Easter and likely had starch in their petticoats and a pinched face from wearing a girdle!! The one thing I really cringe to see is dark hosiery with white shoes. Bare legs look best. I think white shoes might be better on a younger woman, and be advised, they do make feet look larger. Fashion rules are made to break, and it's perfectly legal.

Answer 2

The "is it too early (or late) to wear white?" dilemma, or rather its easter to labor day mantra, is a popular and rather widely accepted fashion guideline for many reasons. It is important to note however, that it depends quite a bit on where you live (in so cal for instance. white is not the severe tabu during the non-existent "coolor" months, as it is in colder climes) and a great deal on the fabric and what else is being worn along with the "white." I adhere to it rather strictly when shoes are the topic. I rather avoid white shoes all together unless its an athletic shoe or sneaker, or the designated style for that bride's maids dress i have to buy, and even then i avoid white shoes as a general rule. Why? well, in the winter it is often wet and the streets are more apt to be muddy. Rules or no rules - mud and white definitely DO NOT GO TOGETHER, (even though all evidence would say that they are always trying to get together). And frankly, white doesn't stay all that white when it's down on the ground even in spring and summer. When it's clothing, white fabrics, (muslins, and other more open knit/weave fabrics) tend to be somewhat on the sheer side. In those colder months sheer equals "brrrrrr!!" But at the same time, no one will shudder at the sight of a thick ecru or ivory, cable knit sweater deep in the month of January. And let's not forget the "snow bunny" look of whites on the slopes or back at the lodge. So the rule, just like any rule, has its exceptions. Easter being the major (for many people anyway), heralding event of Spring, is simply a recognizable barometer for when you can get away with wearing a pair of pretty white sandals with that new Easter dress without your feet turning blue, then red, then whiter than the shoe, from any pre-Spring chill that may have been left in the air.
Haven't you ever been to an early-March wedding where someone wore sandal-like white shoes (any shade) and just looked like they were regretting it? Heck yeah they were regretting it! Their footsies were probably freezing. (not to mention only the bride should be wearing anything completely white, except for maybe the bride's mom, she can get away with ivory, pearl or ecru; grooms mom? - eh - that's iffy for me). And last but not least - pastels and fresh cloud-white fabrics are simply the accumulative interpretation of many, many, many years of designers and artists for the arrival of spring. Nature is found at the core of everything any artist has ever created or any good designer has put together. White is merely one of the colors that the mind's eye associates with a bright spring day. Daises blooming, Easter Lillies, Cherry Blossoms, White Crepe Myrtles, Jasmine, Honeysuckle, and a host of other white or extremely pale pastel floral seasonal bloomers are opening up somewhere between early April (maybe late March for some) and the fall months. And if you're thinking, "well SNOW IS WHITE and it's in winter," then you have your answer to the "winter white" question you mentioned. Basically, if you think about it, it just makes sense. If you have something that is white that you want to wear in January - go for it - unless it's a sheer fabric or an article of clothing that is at risk of being muddied or rained on (oops, then its see-through), you'll probably be okay. OH WOW - i almost forgot, white is not as slimming as darker colors, that could be another good reason i don't wear it until its summer dress time. By then i've shed my "winter coat!" But whatever you do, don't wear a red dress to a funeral! :)

Answer 3

I live in the good ol' South, but I am originally a midwest girl from the show me state. Now while there used to be "rules of wearing white " (perhaps when my mom was a little girl) I think they are now a thing of the past. Obviously common sense tells you not to wear white on a rainy day or to a wedding. Yesterday 4-3-07 was a sunny 80 degrees here in the South and I wore a white sundress with small teal flowers on it. I was told in the South that we do not wear white before Easter. This came from a person who wears a tent for clothing and has stained shirts most of the time (God forgive me but it's true). I think it is a matter of jealousy because you are afraid to pull it off. So to the person that told me we don't do that in the South, go buy yourself a white set of King size sheets and perhaps you will fit in.

Answer 4

There shouldn't be a rule like that. I completely agree with you. Wearing whit after Labor Day or before Easter should be your choice.

Answer 5

funny, i've only heard that saying about wearing white shoes, specifically. and it's typically a southern concept. most northerners don't know what you're talking about when you mention it. anyway, i say wear white whenever you want. that's a pretty ancient way of thinking. besides, you can get away with wearing just about anything nowadays. enjoy!

Answer 6

those type of old-fashioned "rules" are complete nonsense!!! just wear what u like, when u want!!!