The Origin of 'No White' After Labor Day

I've always had some trepidation when reaching for a pair of white gabardine trousers after Labor Day so I decided to do some research on the no-white-after-Labor-Day dictum.

During the mid-20th century, trend-setting fashion editors worked in New York City where summer temperatures were very hot. It was considered improper for women to show much skin; therefore, white clothing helped to keep fashion editors cool.

Once fall arrived, bringing cooler temperatures, rain, and mud, white was not practical so these pioneer fashionistas began wearing darker colors. Their sensibility was reflected in the fashion magazines such as Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue and the public began to follow the trend. 

This all sounds very logical, however, logic may be the very reason this theory is incorrect. Some fashion historians feel there is no correlation between function and fashion, i.e., art. Instead, this camp of fashion experts speculate that white may have been a symbol of upper society and good taste.

If you look at photographs in the 1930s, you’ll see the working class people scurrying the streets wearing dark clothing. Wealthy Americans could be seen vacationing at posh resorts donning various shades of white and cream. Labor Day officially marks the end of summer and as the well-heeled returned from their summer vacations they exchanged their summer duds for darker colors.
 
Whatever its origin, all I know is that Coco Chanel made white a year-round staple; so, I figure if it was good enough for one of the greatest fashion icons in history then I’m going to continue to wear those white trousers.

Go forth and live glamorously!