Can you wear white after Labor Day?
These white jeans are fine for those in warm climates but not for all!
So here we are again… summer is over and Labor Day has come and gone.
Have you put away all your white pants, skirts and jackets yet?
Depending on where you live, you might not have to…
We know it is the old rule, “No white after Labor Day“… but rules are made to be broken!
Here is our take on this annual conundrum:
- If you live in Florida, Southern California or tropical country or climate, you are good to keep wearing white!
- If you live on the Upper East Coast, Mid-West, or any area with a colder climate, you need to put your white away.
- White t-shirts are great all year long!
- If you are in doubt, don’t wear it.
- Winter white, or cream in a wool or corduroy fabric is super chic for fall.
We saw a photo in a recent Oprah magazine that showed how to make your white work for fall. Our feelings are that if you have to try to “make it work”, it is probably better just to put them away until it gets warmer! It looks funny to try to make crisp, white , cotton jeans look good with a heavy sweater and scarf… it just looks like you should have put on a pair of blue jeans instead!
That being said, there are ways to transition some of your other summer pants into fall…
We love this idea from The Style Bakery site! You could easily wear short booties or low boots with this look too!
These summer cropped pants will look great for fall! photo credit: www.stylebakery.com
What are your feelings on this? Please comment below!
I live in West Texas and it has been in the triple digits all summer and is still in the upper 80′s and upper 90′s here. Is it ok to wear white pants until the temps. drop? We probably will not see lower temps until late October. I can not bring myself to wear white shoes but would love to get a little more use out of a new pair of white pants before I put them away until spring.
Hi Sherry,
Yes that would be fine and festive! Glad to get the chance to clarify what we mean. We never want to come across as “preachy” or that there are rules set in stone. Fashion is ever changing and that is what makes it so appealing to chat about! Cheers!!!
I understand that, my fiance` is very stuck on that rule! But sometimes I like to wear my white denim jeans with flare leg @ chritmas time w/ a pretty red holiday sweater. Would that be ok?
Hi Sherry,
Doing whatever you want is always fine but why not change things up? I enjoy putting my summer things away and getting out the fall. I used to live in Southern California where you can certainly wear white all year but now I live back east with the seasons and I enjoy my clothes so much more.
We are not trying to be the fashion police on this site, just trying to up the fashionista factor and inspire you to have fun with your wardrobe!
I REALLY DON’T CARE WHAT THE “RULE” IS, IF YOU WHANT TO WEAR WHITE JEANS, WEAR THEM! ITS ONLY UP TO YOU NOT ANYONE ELSE! IF YOU LIKE IT, WEAR IT!!
Wonderful rules to live by.
Hi CJ,
Yes, if it is in the 80′s go for it!! Anyway, when it comes to dressing for team sports…all fashion rules go out the window!! Anything goes!
Have fun!
Well, this Southern girl is from Tennessee and you know what that means……Go Big Orange. TN is all orange and white so I plan to wear my white jeans with a great orange t-shirt today. It’s still in the mid to upper 80′s here. I think white (jeans, pants) are fine until it really starts to get cold.
Hi Kathy,
Usually by September we find we want to move into fall clothes too. It’s a mind thing. Just like it may be warm enough in Sept. to keep the pool open and swim, by then we’ve had enough.
Great Rules to go by Kathryn. I (Deborah) am from Toronto too, and I know what you mean. Some years September can seem like the middle of summer!
So glad to hear you say this! I have heard for several years now that it’s okay to wear white after Labor Day, but my thought has always been……..why would you WANT to? It’s fall…time to pull out those gorgeous colors. I do agree about Florida though. Summer fashions year-round in sub-tropical climates. You ladies rock!
I live in Toronto (Canada) and here are my rules for white after Labour Day:
1) it depends on the temps! (last year it was still in the high 20′s in October; this year it’s already cool);
2) never white from top to bottom! So white pants (not jeans) and a pinstripe jackets for example is OK
3) absolutely NO white shoes (unless runners)
4) heavier weight fabrication takes it later into the season (depending on temps)
5) warmer whites are seasonless
6) the appropriate white cocktail ensemble us always a knock- out ( especially in a city that loves black!)
love your articles!
Thanks for your response! You are so good to keep up with your comments! KUDOS to you both! ♥
HI L.D.,
Yes, people do wear shorts all year long in Florida, so you could even wear your capris. However, sometimes it can get surprisingly cool,even there! Make sure you check the weather before you go and have plenty of pieces to layer. The nights especially can be pretty chilly,so a sweater will be a must! Have fun!
I just bought white jeans to wear in Florida this Fall! I probably won’t wear my white capris but I can’t wait to wear the jeans! I wear sandals in Florida all year long! So the white jeans will be cute, I think! You see people wearing shorts in FL year round! lol Great topic!
Hi Jennell,
Well the best way to look fallish, is to wear fall colors. With white you can do that pretty easily, if you wear cream it will look even better!
The other way is to add a long scarf to your outfit. It will give you the sense of a fall accessory with out making you hot!
Also, Change out your sandals for boots. If you want to be adventures…the open toed boots and booties are all the rage for fall and what better place to sport them, than in Florida where your toes won’t get frost bite!! Good luck! and always great to hear from you!!!
Since I live in Fl guess I will continue wear my white jeans-but my question is being quite warm still,what do i wear with them in order to look “fallish”?
Thanks so much:)