Fall Style

What’s With the “No-White After Labor Day” BS?

September 4, 2018

Labor Day weekend has come and gone and I am sure most of us are back in the swing of things with life / work / school. And we all know that one rule: don’t wear white after Labor Day! Honestly, growing up, I didn’t understand why and always thought it was an American culture thing because I never heard of it elsewhere, especially not in Chinese cultures. So basically, I always thought that rule was BOGUS! I decided to look into and see why we weren’t suppose to wear white after Labor Day and you all…THERE IS NO REASON! Supposedly, there is no historical context on how this “rule” came into play. There are several theories out there though and I thought it would be fun to share them with you.

Overall, all the theories stated that this “rule” started with the upper class back when Labor Day was enacted. Back in the day, white was mostly worn in the summer to stay cool and since Labor Day marked the end of the summer, white was to be put away because it was more likely to get dirtier in the fall with rain and such. Wearing white in the summer just made sense…apparently not so much in the fall/winter. It was typically the elite class that would stop wearing white after Labor Day as a sign of end of winter and entering into the “darker months ahead”. As time went on, the middle class grew as well as “new money” families and the “old money” class wanted to be more distinct in their wardrobe so they continued to follow this rule. Essentially, this rule used to be made to establish elitism. It was mainly followed by women of that time and only a few hundred! Somehow, it has trickled down to everyone 100+ years later.

I think with recent times, it has been established that this rule does NOT have to be followed. Coco Chanel herself disregarded this rule and wore white ALL YEAR LONG! Because I have never understood this rule, I have never followed it. It’s 2018 guys, we have AC and heat systems — there is no need to wear “darker colors” in the fall/winter haha. And also, that whole elitism thing is complete BS — wear white whenever you want to and don’t let this stupid trend with no concrete history dictate your fashion! I know I am going to continue wearing white allll fall and winter long.

This dress from Lulu’s is my prime example of why you can’t let this rule stand in the way of your shopping and fashion! I love white in the fall//winter because it’s such a beautiful contrast against all the dark of the season like sweaters/weather. I even think that it looks so beautiful against the white snow in the winter! I’ve worn so outfits with white pants/sweaters and have loved all of them. I have always believed that people should wear whatever color/styles/clothes they want! So go and wear that white — stop listening to all that useless BS!

A million and one thanks for reading — until my next lil’ thought then!

xx Jen

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45 Comments

  • Reply Katherine September 4, 2018 at 1:16 pm

    I actually don’t remember that rule because I rarely hear it anymore lol, but girl, I wear it all year! Hahaa your outfit so cute, love the heels 🙂

    http://www.myclusterofthoughts.com/

    • Reply lilthoughtswithjen September 4, 2018 at 7:17 pm

      hahah i still hear people talking about it when out walking one day! and thank you so much!
      xx jen

  • Reply Serene September 4, 2018 at 3:05 pm

    Loooove the dress girlie <3
    xoxo

    • Reply lilthoughtswithjen September 4, 2018 at 7:18 pm

      thank you so much serene!
      xx jen

  • Reply Emily September 4, 2018 at 3:23 pm

    I completely agree with you! I’m ALL for wearing white after Labor Day!

    -Emily | http://www.TheEmilyEdition.com

    • Reply lilthoughtswithjen September 4, 2018 at 7:19 pm

      YESSS — in fact I wore white pants today ahah
      xx jen

  • Reply Darriyan Lawley September 5, 2018 at 8:30 am

    Screw the rules! You look fab in white!!!

    Darriyan x
    http://www.darriyancateland.co.uk

    • Reply lilthoughtswithjen September 5, 2018 at 6:54 pm

      wooo my thoughts exactly!! and thank you!
      xx jen

  • Reply Gabrielle September 5, 2018 at 9:25 am

    Oh yes, the rule is definitely worth throwing out the window for dresses like THIS! You look so beautiful in this floral beauty 🙂

    aglassofice.com x

    • Reply lilthoughtswithjen September 5, 2018 at 6:55 pm

      ahhh thank you SO MUCH!
      xx jen

  • Reply Grace Sawford September 5, 2018 at 3:20 pm

    wow, what an interesting post! I also didn’t know about that before. I mean I’ve heard about the ‘no-white after labor day’ but now I learnt the why. I think nowadays you just gotta wear what you love, and that dress looks absolutely stunning on you!! thank you for sharing x
    have a wonderful day!

    • Reply lilthoughtswithjen September 5, 2018 at 6:56 pm

      yesss i totally agree with you grace! I was so surprised when i heard those people talking about continuing to follow that rule! thanks for reading!
      xx jen

  • Reply Olga September 6, 2018 at 12:13 pm

    This dress looks so cute!Wonderful pictures:-)

    http://www.lostindaydreams.com/

    • Reply lilthoughtswithjen September 6, 2018 at 6:48 pm

      thank you so much olga!
      xx jen

  • Reply Andreea Birsan September 6, 2018 at 2:21 pm

    That’s so silly lol. Can wear white all day everyday and your dress is simply amazing. Adore it. Have an amazing day. xx

    Andreea,
    http://couturezilla.com/

    • Reply lilthoughtswithjen September 6, 2018 at 6:49 pm

      right?? such a dumb rule haha — thank you so much for your sweet words + for commenting!
      xx jen

  • Reply Jessica September 6, 2018 at 11:34 pm

    That’s such a cute dress on you dear! Love the neckline, so sexy and flattering on you. Perfect length too!

    Jessica | notjessfashion.com

    • Reply lilthoughtswithjen September 7, 2018 at 10:44 pm

      thank you so much jessica! I am in love with this dress!
      xx jen

  • Reply Audrey | Brunch at Audrey's September 7, 2018 at 2:32 pm

    I don’t usually wear white, not even on Labour Day, but I say just wear whatever you want whenever you want! Interesting story behind the “no white after Labour Day” myth tho 😛 -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey’s

    • Reply lilthoughtswithjen September 7, 2018 at 10:45 pm

      yesss i think so too! we should wear what we want ahah
      xx jen

  • Reply Jenifer September 7, 2018 at 6:00 pm

    What a fun read! Love hearing where the rule came from. Super cute dress too!

    xx Jenifer
    https://www.theevolista.com

    • Reply lilthoughtswithjen September 7, 2018 at 10:47 pm

      haha thank you so much–it was so interesting to read about the history!
      xx jen

  • Reply Godisable Jacob September 8, 2018 at 11:01 am

    The labor day is not so loud in my country.
    Your dress is pretty
    https://www.melodyjacob.com/

    • Reply lilthoughtswithjen September 8, 2018 at 4:17 pm

      thank you so much! and i know it’s mainly in the US!
      xx jen

  • Reply Abdel September 8, 2018 at 4:27 pm

    You look super stunning dear

    https://www.abdelkhalekleblog.com/

    • Reply lilthoughtswithjen September 8, 2018 at 10:14 pm

      thank you so much!
      xx jen

  • Reply Sakuranko September 8, 2018 at 4:50 pm

    Oh very cute dress darling
    xx

    • Reply lilthoughtswithjen September 8, 2018 at 10:14 pm

      thank you so much!
      xx jen

  • Reply Janet September 8, 2018 at 11:38 pm

    Such a great post Jen! So interesting, isn’t it amazing how we follow these ‘rules” and don’t know why! Good for you on questioning that! I had not heard of this rule but I live in Australia but I found it so interesting! This dress is super adorable on you too! xx

    http://www.rediscoveringmystyle.com

    • Reply lilthoughtswithjen September 9, 2018 at 12:28 am

      thank you so much for your kind words janet – i thought this was so interesting too and had to look into it and share with everyone! I swear the USA has so many random ways that we don’t even know the history of! thanks so much for reading!
      xx jen

  • Reply Inna Pishtoy September 9, 2018 at 12:54 am

    I recently heard of this rule and wondered where it came from, so thanks for sharing! Your dress is really cute 🙂

    http://innapishtoy.com

    • Reply lilthoughtswithjen September 9, 2018 at 6:30 pm

      yesss i was so curious!! thank you so much!
      xx jen

  • Reply Wish Review September 9, 2018 at 3:07 am

    Such a nice dress honey!! Love it!

    • Reply lilthoughtswithjen September 9, 2018 at 6:29 pm

      thank you so much!
      xx jen

  • Reply Radi September 9, 2018 at 4:23 am

    Your dress is so pretty! Love that you’re “breaking” the rule!

    http://www.fashionradi.com

    • Reply lilthoughtswithjen September 9, 2018 at 6:29 pm

      haha thank you so much!
      xx jen

  • Reply Desires In Style September 9, 2018 at 8:05 am

    Hi Jen!!
    You look adorable 🙂
    kisses
    Elisa
    http://desiresinstyle.com/

    • Reply lilthoughtswithjen September 9, 2018 at 6:29 pm

      thank you!
      xx jen

  • Reply Raquel Manes September 11, 2018 at 9:25 pm

    I Love the neckline

  • Reply Katya September 13, 2018 at 6:08 pm

    I don’t believe in stuff like that, quite superstitious. There is no such thing I think. Just wear whatever you want and have fun with it, that’s it.

    StyleSprinter Blog by Katya Bychkova

    • Reply lilthoughtswithjen September 15, 2018 at 3:02 pm

      yes i agree with you 100%!!
      xx jen

  • Reply Jessica Guarnizo September 24, 2018 at 12:14 am

    EXACTLY!! That rule is just plain silly haha. That dress looks stunning on you!

    https://jessysfashionbook.com

    • Reply lilthoughtswithjen September 24, 2018 at 10:34 pm

      yesss girl!! and thank you so much!
      xx jen

  • Reply Laraina Stevens December 9, 2018 at 8:19 am

    A beautiful summer dress and great pictures … as always 😉

    • Reply lilthoughtswithjen December 10, 2018 at 8:33 pm

      thank you so much babe!
      xx jen

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