Who am I kidding? I’m hardly a rule breaker. I don’t like to break rules. I actually beg for a list of rules during a game or contest because I like guidelines. I’m an organized, follow the rules, OCD, maniac!
But there is one rules that I like to break. And I’m hopeful that this rule isn’t going to be around much longer.
No White After Labor Day
We’re not supposed to wear white pants or white shoes until Easter and then we’re not supposed to wear them after Labor Day. First of all, I don’t wear white shoes. Not a fan. But Hudson does have a little pair of white sandals and I know that men like to wear their white bucks with their seersucker and linen and I’m okay with that. But not after Labor Day.
Now, the “no white jeans or white pants after Labor Day” rule is the one that I break. I love my white jeans. They’re comfortable, they pop against color, they dress up an every day outfit. I have lived in white jeans for two summers now and my summer doesn’t end until the middle of October when the weather finally gives us some relief down here.
chart from here
The only difference is that I change what I wear with the white jeans. I won’t be wearing summer colors on top after Labor Day. I can pair them with a darker, richer color on top and a scarf. And I won’t be wearing shoes that scream “summer.”
I won’t wear white capris or cropped pants past Labor Day and I won’t wear seersucker (or let the men in my family wear seersucker) past Labor Day. Not sure why I insist that these items go back into storage, but the white jeans can stay out. But that’s just how I feel about that.
What do you think? No white after Labor Day or are you going to wear them a little bit farther in the fall?
I hate that rule too! I wear white whenever I want to. I often wear it around Christmas too.
I thought this rule was no longer… Personally, I’d go for it and wear white, especially since summer doesn’t really end for you just because Labor Day has come and gone. I live in New England and still wear light colors in September if it’s warm. If the weather is crisp and autumn-like then not so much. (PS – I am insanely jealous to see that your city’s weather remains in the mid-50s ALL winter. I wish.)
Keep wearing white! Agreed. When it doesn’t even feel Fall-ish til Thanksgiving (if then), I think you can be summer-y as long as you want.
I think taking the white pants into Fall is perfectly acceptable (and necessary!). I’m with you on the white shoes.. they’re a no go for me anytime of year, but white pants and capris can definitely stay in the closet until its too cold! I plan to wear my white capris to work this Fall until the Michigan temps say “put those away!”
i agree with breaking that rule too…..and i’m a rule follower as well. speaking of your clothes, i’d like to see you talking about your wardrobe pics again…..maybe how you accessorize. i’m horrible at it!
Yeah, I’m pretty much a “no white before Easter/after Labor Day” kind of gal, but I do love my white Coach purse with dark brown trim and I do tend to keep it around a bit longer than what deems fashionably appropriate.
Yes, I agree with you. I don’t have a problem with white jeans (or even white denim jackets) if worn with appropriate seasonal colors/shoes.
white jeans are fabulous year round, when done right. even in the dead of winter white pants paired with white / cream cashmere can look amazingly luxurious. go for it.
Ahhh I knew this was going to be about white jeans! I’m the same way. This rule does not apply in my world. Living in Houston and getting hit with 90*+ all through September and October, the no white after Labor Day just doesn’t work. I am actually in the market for some new white jeans. Maybe there will be a Labor Day sale?? 😉
IMHO, white jeans are fine because it’s such a heavy fabric. I don’t think the rule applies to denim.
I just bought my first pair of white jeans from land’s end canvas. I’ve only worn them once so far this summer and I am not ready to retire them yet, so I agree with you 100%. I’m not one for fashion rules anyways, but even if i were, this is one I would ignore anyways.
Oh man, I hate this rule! It’s so silly and outdated. But I must admit, I follow it. Sure, I wear white t’s and all, but my white skirts, jeans, capris, shorts, etc., go into hiding after Labor Day. Bummer? Yes. But I just can’t seem to get myself to break this rule for some reason… I like Julie’s idea though! Since it’s basically summer year-round in Houston, who am I kidding anyway!?
my little girl will wear her white sandals at least through sept. possibly into oct decpending on the louisiana weather. i say go for it!
I follow the no white after Labor Day, sadly 🙁 In the NorthEast, we take it a step furter & say no white until Memorial Day, not Easter. I do violate that one. I LOVE white jeans & have worn mine like it’s my j-o-b this summer. On a related subject, I try to follow no cordoruoy until after Labor Day, and not beyond Easter.
I am not a fan of this rule either. I love my white jeans too much to put them up in two weeks. I have a maternity pair and a regular pair and I plan on wearing them into the fall!! 🙂
I will pack away my white panty hoes and white shoes though. Just kidding. I don’t own either. But I do remember back when I was little and my mom would make me wear both with my ruffled dresses to church. I always loved when it was September and she would pack them away! Ha!
My white jeans are cropped. How sad! I love my white shorts, pants, and skirts, and I hate that I can’t wear them after Labor Day. They are the perfect addition to my school wardrobe. Especially because it’s usually mid October when the temps start to drop here.
Why don’t you wear shorts? I never wear jeans of any color in the summer, ever – too heavy, too tight, too suffocating. I’m shorter, so capris aren’t a flattering look for me. They just look matronly. Long walking shorts are perfect.
Last year, I threw this rule away and wore my white jeans well into October. It’s just too dang hot here not too, plus they are perfect for football season with my burnt orange tops! Like you, I abhor white shoes on women so I don’t have to worry about that one, and I ditch my white skirts after August… but jeans are a-okay in my book! I’ve even seen a few stores offer “winter white” jeans in more of a cream color!
I agree – white jeans after Labor Day are okay in my book! (And I’me with you on the white shoes. I’ve yet to see a pair I would wear.) I completely understand your point regarding the weather. It’s still so hot well past Labor Day, so the rule seems arbitrary. Shoot, it’s been 85 at Christmas in Florida – white denim could probably work year round here! That said, I have to admit to being a fashion rule breaker. I think a black dress can be appropriate at a wedding. I often (okay, always) forgo hose with my skirts and dresses. I wear peep toes pumps (of a tasteful height) to the office. What can I say – I live on the edge. 🙂
*** that should read “it’s just too dang hot here not TO…. instead of “too”…. Grrrrrrrr I hate grammatical errors!
soooooo funny you mention this TODAY. Because as I was picking out my outfit for work this morning I was thinking “hmmmmm I should wear my white pants since I only have one more week to wear them” And I would LOVE if this rule would go away! White pants to work it is!
If I looked better in white jeans, I’d wear them.
I am a stickler for no white after Labor Day – it’s simply one rule that I cannot break!
I know it’s an old rule but it’s one I can’t help but keep… but my white dresses will getting “put away” as well as some white skirts and my white linen pants. I wish I could let go of such an old rule. It is especially challenging being that I root for a Red & White football team – life would be easier if I could throw out the “rules”.
I’m pretty sure most people know my thoughts on white jeans…. White Jeans are an ALL-YEAR wardrobe staple! Jackie Kennedy is my backup to breaking this rule. There is a fantastic picture of Jackie leaving a restaurant wearing white jeans, black turtleneck, black boots and I think a trench coat. White jeans are just NOT part of the “no white before/after” rule in my book!
I agree with all you said, however… I think that because the “no white after Labor Day” rule is being bent with the times that some people (or maybe it’s just an Illinois thing) are taking that to mean that it’s acceptable to wear white to weddings now. And I just can’t get on board with that.
If you’re doing it, I’m doing it! They are so comfy, cute, and fun! I’m so glad I *finally* got my first pair this summer. I’ll definitely have to invest in a non-maternity pair for next year!
This is one fashion rule I just can’t seem to break. I will be wearing out my white dresses and pants the next week and a half and then I look forward to putting them away and bringing out some of my transitional fall clothes to take their place!
It’s so hard. 🙁 I wish I felt comfortable (and saw more people) wearing white pants after Labor Day, but I don’t. In fact, the rule in Chicago is no white pants or shoes from Labor Day to Memorial Day. Maybe I’ll break it this year and whip ’em out and not care what people think! 🙂
I think there are more important things to think about.
Like Stephanie, I wish I felt more comfortable wearing white after Labor Day…but I just don’t. I don’t judge others who do, and often look at them longingly, wishing I had on MY white jeans. However, as a fellow Carolinian, maybe I should let the weather dictate my wardrobe and not the calendar! One year at my Christmas party, I wore a sleeveless dress and moved the party to the backyard and the next year it was snowing. Go figure!
I completely agree! I think white jeans look great during the fall with rich colors. I love brown tops or dark cardigans over bright camisoles with white jeans. I also continue my white trousers for work. My winter trousers are lined and too hot for fall. This may be a little too far with the rule, but hey, I want to be comfy. One clothing rule I do follow and cringe when I see others break – velvet. I’m a firm believer that one should not wear velvet before Thanksgiving or after Valentine’s day. Really, what adult wears velvet anymore? But little girls, take note.
I’ll never understand internet snark… obviously, there are more important things to think about but Tuesday is my day off so I like to take a break from thinking about how to cure my grandmother’s cancer, solve the BP oil spill and figure out how to achieve world peace. And white after labor day is a great fun debate.
Interesting post. I am not a fan of white jeans but maybe I should rethink them, as you are such an advocate and I do like your style. 🙂 Wondering how you feel about white purses/bags as well.
I have a pair of winter white cords that are cut like my jeans. I wear those after Labor Day, but I ordinarily pack up my white jeans and skirts for the fall/winter.
I don’t own a pair of white jeans, but, I totally agree with the ability to break this rule. I think that white jeans can look very nice well into the fall or even winter when done correctly. Heck, I’m no good at following fashion rules myself (because honestly, I wear fancy flip flops to work sometimes–I know! But, I don’t work at a snooty university anymore, so, I can be a little more casual), but, I say, if you feel good and it works on you, then go for it!
White jeans are totally ok for fall. And I think they are a definite exception because they are a heavier fabric than like a regular pant. And I agree on swapping out the tops and shoes for those that are more suited for fall.
Ill be rockin’ my white jeans year round. I’m not scared to break this rule. Its fashion. Rules are meant to be broken. Good to know there are other ladies out there thinking the same thing 🙂
Even though I don’t own a pair of white jeans now.. did years ago.. I wore then after labor day. The only time I didn’t wear them was at the end of November thru beginning of March. We get so much snow which mixes with the dirt, salt and all the yuck of the street. It’s bad enough that my regular jeans get all dirty with salt and dirty snow, I’m not going to get my white ones like that! I just wish that our winter weather here in MI was half as nice as yours. Min 41F in January. That’s the high for us in November half the time!
I’d say the best thing about breaking the rule are the sales! I’ll be hitting up JCrew in the next couple weeks to find some super cheap white jeans. 🙂
Wow! I haven’t heard these ‘rules’ for a long time but I wholeheartedly agree! I live in the far south and it took me a while to get used to wearing sandals in the winter. Since I live in such a warm climate, I do change the colors from summer colors to fall colors like you suggested although they still need to light fabrics to stay cool. Thanks for the post!
I’ve always been a stickler for the “no white after Labor Day” rule, although most of my friends pay it no attention. I have no problem with others breaking it, but can’t seem to do it myself. Maybe this will be the year I let it go. Maybe.
I am a white jeans hold out as well. I live in Florida and fall doesn’t hit us until November. I will still be sporting capris, sandals, and white jeans well into October.
I LOVE my white jeans. YEAR ROUND!!!!…. I am sure you will get some “looks” in Columbia, but they are just mad they forgot they had white jeans since they put them away!!!! As long as you feel good about what you have on, then the rules do not apply!!!
Fun conversation! I live in Orlando where it is in the 90’s on Christmas Day and we are all wearing summer clothing basically year round! I think one’s location has a lot to do with it. Should I be wearing fall fabrics & colors when it’s hot as Haiti and humid as all get out?!??! I think not! 🙂
It’s always hard for us down here too, because the stores are all full of Fall/Winter clothing collections now — bummer. I guess it’s the price we have to pay living in the tropical weather, close to great beaches & palm trees. :)- It’s also hard on us new moms who have growing 1 year old’s who need a continuously new wardrobe and all we have to pick from is corduroy & sweaters :/
I love white pants and white shorts!! However, I won’t wear them after Labor Day! I am going to make the most of my white pants this week and next week:)
If you are wearing your white jeans after Labor Day so will I! I just bought my first pair a few weeks ago and I am definitely NOT ready to put them away!
I don’t own white pants or jeans because I follow the rule! It’s too hot to wear white pants or jeans in the “acceptable white-wearing months” so I just don’t buy them. Maybe I should be more rebellious??
I still do white pants after Labor Day. I was just thinking about his the other day, I searched all summer for white pants and finally found what I wanted in August…so I am wearing them until it is colder.
I don’t wear white pants (or shoes…save for my nikes) ever….but if I did, I probably wouldn’t wear them past labor day. I’m more concerned with the weather chart you posted. I’m moving tomorrow!! It was 110 here in Dallas yesterday! I don’t want to wear pants at all. Ha.
Being in Australia, I just do not understand this rule!
Because we live in southwest Florida, we wear white pants, shoes, crops, capris all year-round, weather permitting. Only in the event of a cold snap do we change from a summer uniform. Even at work in Florida dress is way more casual than other places I’ve lived. Think resort casual. Love it!
Living in Southern AZ where it’s 100 well into Oct, I wear white most of the year! We have a few chilly weeks during the winter but the daytime temps rarely get below 70 degrees.
Have to agree this is a crazy rule, especially for those of us living in the southwest. With temps in the 100’s well into October, it just doesn’t make sense not to wear white or our summery stuff. But usually by then I am so sick of it, I am longing for the days that I can wear my fall stuff!
I totally agree! I have lived in my white jeans the past 2 summers! I’ll keep wearing them if you do, deal?
Wearing while shoes after Labor Day may have serious consequences.
See http://bit.ly/bYMYXt
Hmmm…I just read an article in Glamour that said we can wear white all year. It is the fabric that is important and what we pair with it…jeans and corduroys were listed as appropriate…carry on ladies and were your white!!!