Labor Day came and went—But my white jeans stayed out
Published
Recently some friends and I were discussing the “merits and demerits” of the old tradition of only wearing white clothing between Memorial Day and Labor Day. I, who am locked in traditionalist bones, thought I’d stick to my guns and put away the nice light weight pants, skirts and blouses until next May. However, I had to do a little turn about thinking since even the friends my age, had turned rebellious. They are all going to ignore the rules.
I started wondering where the tradition originated, so I looked it up on the reliable old internet and found a variety of answers. Lori Comstock of USA Today said some magazines, fashion-forward teens and maybe your grandmother, might still suggest today, that white pants and shoes are no longer acceptable, possibly even rude, after Sept. 1.
The origin of those thoughts came from the “new rich” of the New York fashion scene in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They packed away their light-colored clothing to avoid staining them as they walked the fall and winter city streets. It was less about style and more about class, as white clothing symbolized leisure, status and summer vacation at beach houses and garden parties.
Over time, the seasonal switch became a societal norm, and eventually, some considered it a fashion rule. Strangely, I found little or no information about men’s clothing. I saw pictures of men dressed in white jackets and suit coats for summer. Haven’t seen that since I was a child.
Modern etiquette, such as it is, says the old rule is outdated, and suggests ways to keep those whites going all year. You can opt for heavier textures such as wool and denim, and use shades of ivory or cream. Try layering with leather jackets or boots, and again, always go for denim.
It really does go against the grain for me to fight years of traditions. They make me feel grounded and connected. As I grew up, my family adhered strictly to the no white rule, silly as it is. The labor on Labor Day included washing and packing away the major white pieces in our wardrobes, and I continued to preach the same to my children as they grew and ignored it.
Now I’m a rebel. The day after Labor Day, I dressed in my white jeans, red shirt and white jacket to go run some errands.
No one on the street or in the stores stopped me, looked aghast, or even noticed me, for that matter. I kind of wanted to point myself out and yell, “Hey, look! White!” Fortunately, I was able to control my stubborn older person impulses.
This time, I’m going to give in and wear white all winter. After all, it will go with the white shoe laces in my grungy blue sneakers.
