Glam Slam: White After Labor Day?

“Is this the last day we can wear these?” one of my co-workers asked me last week, referring to the white jeans we were both wearing. This seems to come up every year — wearing white after Labor Day. It was also brought up the other day in a meeting at work, so I guess it is one of those things that people are never quite sure about.

As a girl growing up in the South, the answer would have been a resounding “no” to wearing white after Labor Day. But times have changed and “rules” have relaxed over the years. Here in Southern California and in places like Florida and Hawaii, white can absolutely be worn after Labor Day.

As for other parts of the country, white can be worn, but it’s all a matter of how it’s worn, as well as, the type of clothing.

White pants made of lightweight fabrics should be retired, but white jeans can easily be worn after Labor Day. You can “fall them up” a bit by pairing them with deeper, darker colors, as opposed to the neons and pastels that were everywhere all summer. Why not pair your white jeans with one of fall’s “it” colors like burgundy or hunter green? You also can’t go wrong with a black turtleneck paired with white jeans…a classic look in my book.

Changing up your accessories is another good way to make the transition. Darker colored scarves, purses, felt fedoras and boots help take your white jeans past Labor Day. I am all about wearing my black motorcycle boots with white jeans and I like black leather moto jackets with white jeans as well.

A sturdy, heavier fabric like denim is your best bet for extending the life of your white wardrobe. I’ll wear my white jeans and white jean jacket well past Labor Day. However, summery white sundresses are best saved until next spring and fabrics like linen and cotton should go back in the closet for now.

Use Halle Berry as your style inspiration. She demonstrates the perfect way to do white right…even after Labor Day!

— Ryan Patterson