White after Labor Day. It's a topic no one really puts TOO much thought into, right? Okay, maybe extreme fashionistas but I'll admit, I often find myself mid-September layering on the white without even thinking.

Seems like these days it is just a figment of fashions past! But let's first back up. Where did this urban legend and/or fashion rule even start? Why aren't we supposed to wear white after Labor Day? After researching the topic of white after Labor Day, I found a few reasons as to how this "no white after Labor Day" rule even came to fruition. In the early 20th century, many well-to-do Americans who lived in the city would often travel to "summer" homes leaving the metropolitan lifestyle in the city. Their "summer" home fashion consisted of dressing in light, white fabrics to help stay cool. Once returning back to the city, they would pack away all traces of the white clothing that was worn throughout the summer. Labor Day just happened to mark the end of that time frame. Years went by and the trend then translated into the middle class population in the 1950's & 1960's then eventually on to us. The other reason I found was simply due to practicality. For centuries, wearing white in the summer was just another way to stay cool. In a time without air conditioning, there weren't halter tops and t-shirts for people to run around in. The majority of people used to wear what we would now consider formal clothing and white tended to be a lighter weight fabric. It seems like the "don't wear white after Labor Day rule" has subsided and white lives on long past its shelf date which of course is the first Monday in September. White is seen everywhere after Labor Day from the runway to casual wear. But either way you look at it, many fashion rules are made to be broken. So below are five tips to help you stay on the right track in your post labor day white attire: 1. Pair your whites with darker colors
White can be paired with really any darker colors when entering into the colder months in the year. Instead of sporting head-to-toe white, try choosing one white piece and pair it with something dark. A white tank would look great under a dark sweater or cardigan. 
2. Do not wear white light fabricsLinens and super light cottons will not only keep you warm during the upcoming chilly months, but it just looks a little odd. Again, if you have to wear those lightweight weight summer tops, just make sure to incorporate them into a look with heavier darker colored pieces. 3. Choose Winter WhitesOff-white is usually referred to as winter whites. Think cream colored, beige and nude colors. These color choices can look stunning next to your somewhat drap fall colored wardrobe. 4. Accessorize in whiteIf you chose to remain conservative in your fashionable habits and still don't agree with wearing white post Labor Day, try wearing white accessories. 5. Wear a White Blazer or JacketIf you're craving to don some white in winter, think about investing in a white blazer or white trench coat. There are endless possibilities when it comes to white jackets and they are on store racks left and right. White jackets are perfect for breaking that fall or winter chill and can often look fabulous paired next to a darker colored pant, such as deep brown or black.   

 

Here's a great white blazer I found from Forever 21 and only $32.80