why is it bad to wear white after labor day?

Question

what's with the color white? and why do some ppl still wear white and others get mad or annoyed?

Answer 1

Because in the older days, it was considered uncouth to wear white (light) colors before Easter and after Labor Day.

I don't know why it ever happened, but those that are mad or annoyed were just raised that way.

It's not bad, it never was...it was a fashion faux pas back then, but nothing symbolic or bad.

Answer 2

People are way too hung up on clothes. I wonder who makes these silly rules on what kind of clothes we should wear.
I understand if one is going for a job interview or professional meeting that they should dress nice but many rules are just petty and society for the most part in some areas fall for that silly mess. Younger people often dress in ways to draw attention or to offend I suppose. They want to defy the norm. Then what was once outrageous becomes the norm over time. Long hair on men was disgusting to older people once.
Now those long haired Hippy types that offended the older generation are our doctors, lawyers, construction workers, congressmen, and Dads.

I wonder why the media made a big deal about Senator Clinton showing a small amount of cleavage. Were we suppose to think that she had no breasts? I would not have even noticed it had the press not made a big deal of it.
Some people walking down the street look normal and average and yet some women who can't look good in that same outfit are judgmental and offended and make derogatory comments.
Once it was bad for a man to have an ear ring or diamond stud in his ear. Now it is normal in both ears. (I still think it's weird for a man to pierce his ears. smile.)
I wear white ANY time of the year. If someone gets mad or annoyed about it, they need to go see a shrink.

Answer 3

Fashion often has inflexible rules. They last for a time, and then are replaced by others.
Labor day itself has only been around since 1894 and the idea of not wearing white after labor day has probably been around for about 30-40 years.
The idea came about because white was associated with lightweight, summer fabrics. So not wearing white after labor day in say, New England, was probably a good idea. But in Southern California or Key West, it really didn't matter because the weather allowed for lightweight clothes year-round.
People who stress about other people wearing white after labor day have too much free time. They are using fashion, which should be a fun way to express yourself, as a way of putting other people down.
So wear what you like. Dress yourself to please yourself. Don't worry about anyone else.

Answer 4

Its an old tradition from the past that doesn't mean much in today's world.

The explanations for the old custom against wearing white after Labour Day include:
- the fact that white clothes are worse protection against cold weather in the winter
- in medieval times, only the wealthy could afford to have their clothes to be washed well enough to remain white. White clothes were therefore a symbol of wealth and power and Labour Day is a celebration of the working class

Whatever the historical reason, it is becoming less and less valid today.

Answer 5

Many years ago the "no white after labor day" was a way to make sure everyone bought new clothes:)

Actually, white was lighter and didn't soak up the sun as badly as colors and it became the "color" of summer. Wools and wool blends were traditionally darker so you wore dark after the season changed. That USED to be around Labor Day. Now we have central heat and AC, synthetic fabrics and cars so we don't' have to change our entire wardrobe to suit the season, ergo no more ban on white after Labor Day.

Answer 6

White is usually worn in summer because it is a cool color to wear in the heat of the sun. It helps keep one cool and does not absorb the suns heat.

Winter should be the opposite and darker colors come in to play here along with heaver materials.

It is not against the law to wear white during winter. It usually is a pleasant color to wear especially in ski jackets and gear along with a trace of another color.

I guess anybody that gets mad about it has nothing better to do with their time.

Answer 7

It not bad to wear white after labor day, if show they in the fashion world wouldn't have "winter white" Wear what you like and don't think about others.

Answer 8

I never did understand this and truth be told I am fashion challenged. The only thing I could figure was that after labor day the weather gets pretty foul and during winter especially with the sludge and sleet and snow... well white would be more gray from all the dirt.

That is my best guess.

Answer 9

It's a southern thing....growing up in the south (Tennessee) I heard that all my life, don't wear white after Labor Day. Mostly meaning white shoes, but also clothes. Has to do with southern etiquette, I guess! Now that I live in Utah, I haven't heard that in years.

Answer 10

Actually, it's white shoes you're not supposed to wear after Labor Day. Men and women can wear white or "winter white" after Labor Day. But proper dressers will wear linen fabrics only in the summer and velvets only in the winter.