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Wearing White After Labor Day – What You Should Know

Expert Advice

Wearing White After Labor Day – What You Should Know

Aug 31, 2023

September is upon us, and with it, the time-honored “rule” that you can’t wear white after Labor Day. But where’d that rule come from exactly? And why can’t you wear white after Labor Day? We’re here to break it down, but TLDR: the rules are fake; wear what you want!

Woman wearing red shorts with white Jordan graphic tee

Who Started the No-White After Labor Day Rule Anyway?

Way, way, way back in the day — before air conditioning — the upper classes wore light colors, such as white, throughout the summer as a way to stay cool throughout the months of vacations and leisure.

Working classes typically wore darker colors year-round to help hide the dirt and grime of manual labor. To the upper-class nouveau richer, Labor Day ushered in the fall months, which meant a switch in wardrobe to more autumnal colors and heavier fabrics.

Essentially, the “no white after Labor Day rule” was a traditional way to distinguish the haves from the have-nots.

How to Wear White After Labor Day

Like many antiquated rules, this one is definitely meant to be broken. Fashion trends come and go, and why this particular “trend” has stuck around is anyone’s guess. Want to keep wearing your white pieces all year long?

Here are a few tips:

- Choose dark pants, a cozy mock neck top and Nike Blazers for a classic work look.
- Pair denim with a long sleeve top and a vest with leather shoes for a date-night ensemble.
- As the season gets cooler, swap out lighter pieces for heavier fabrics, such as white fleece pullovers, sherpa-lined jackets, or an off-white coat.
- Keep the white kicks or white snapback hat for a crisp, modern look any time of year.
- Wear what you want. We’ve said it before: Rules are fake. If you want to wear linen white pants after Labor Day, style them with confidence!

Teen male modeling a white graphic tee from "Streetz Iz Watchin"

Pieces to Wear After Labor Day

Here are a few pieces to incorporate into your wardrobe year-round:

- Wear distressed denim with a dark shirt or hoodie. Pop on a pair of shoes that complement your top. OR wear a white tee with darker-wash distressed denim with white-white kicks.
- Layer an off-white-colored track jacket with colorful athletic shorts, perfect for the gym or practices.
- Incorporate tapered white fleece pants with a quilted jacket and long-sleeve top for early winter walks.
- Start with a white athletic dress, add an open, oversized camel-colored cardigan, your favorite retro-style shoes and jewelry.

Why aren't you supposed to wear white after Labor Day?

Because of some old, outdated tradition that should have been thrown out a century ago. Head into your nearest Hibbett | City Gear, and connect with on-trend styles you can wear throughout any season!

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