Air like an oven? Go lightly

Why no white after Labor Day?

According to online sources, origins of the rule vary: In the more formal sartorial days of the early 1900s, the official summer season fell only between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Those in polite society ditched their city clothes to spend their summers at cottages and cabins wearing the lighter clothing, which was put away at season's end. And there's the class thing: the old-money rich in the Hamptons used white clothing to distinguish themselves from the nouveau riche and middle class, who, in turn, used white clothing to fit in with the old money.

Such rules have all but collapsed in these modern times -- and especially under the weight of an Arkansas summer.

"I think that people are starting to realize that it's OK to wear white after Labor Day," says Maumelle stylist Shari Noel.

Fellow fashion stylist Lori Snyder of Little Rock concurs.

"It's still hot in here in September," Snyder says. "We're in a hot community ... and [noted etiquette book author] Emily Post has even corrected it to where she's saying it's all right. I'm definitely not opposed to white after Labor Day, because you have your white fabrics that are more appropriate for the spring/summer and you have your white fabrics that are more appropriate for the fall/winter. For example, it definitely wouldn't be fashionably appropriate to wear a white linen dress in the middle of October, but it would be fashionably acceptable to wear a winter white sweater dress in the middle of October."

There are also certain white clothing pieces a post-Labor Day wearer might want to avoid, Noel says: "For instance ... white strappy sandals are things you should be storing away for next spring/summer."

Ditto for capri-length pants, Snyder says. "And I don't think I'd wear white slacks. I'd wear white jeans," along with other heavier fabrics. She says she's seeing a lot of white jackets. And "there's a whole lot of white cashmere out there. Donna Karan does it; you can wear her pieces from summer to winter." She notes that many of the designers are doing head-to-toe white suit ensembles in heavier fabrics, as well as white wool coats.

Snyder further points out that in the winter, wearers can opt for off-white, either with darker fall colors or pastels such as pale pinks and peaches. She suggests going with a great pair of shoes and a great handbag. "I love black tights with a white dress in winter, or a cream-colored dress with black tights. I think that's very pretty."

So there you have it. Within reason, white is OK any time.

"Don't be the person to fall for that silly rule," Noel says. "A person that wears white after Labor Day, in my opinion is definitely fashion-forward."

-- Helaine R. Williams

Style on 09/16/2014

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