How did the rule to not wear white after Labor Day originate?

Whatever its origin, the Labor Day rule has perennially met with resistance from high-fashion quarters. As far back as the 1920s, Coco Chanel made white a year-round staple."It was a permanent part of her wardrobe," says Bronwyn Cosgrave, author of The Complete History of Costume & Fashion: From Ancient Egypt to the Present Day. read more

Originally, the rule was more along the lines of “Only wear white shoes between Memorial Day and Labor Day.” Furthermore, it mainly applied to white pumps or dress shoes. White tennis shoes and off-white boots seem exempt, as are any shoes worn by a winter bride. “Winter white” clothing (e.g., cream-colored wool) is acceptable between Labor Day and Memorial Day. The only logical reasoning I could find cited temperature. read more

Well, from Labor Day to Easter you’d be much more likely to get your nice white clothes muddy and dirty, which used to be very hard to clean off. read more

Basically, wearing white in the heat (think pre-AC days in 38C temps) meant you could afford to ruin it. But wearing white after Labor day (the unofficial end of summer in the US) at that time might make you the talk of the town — and not in a good way. White was a summer-specific social statement, no exceptions. read more