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Style Tips: How To Wear White After Labor Day?
In this post you will learn how to wear white after Labor Day. Get the best style advice from your personal stylist and look amazing in white all fall long!
US Labor Day falls on 4th September in 2023. To many fashion lovers this has traditionally been the time to pack away your white clothing for the winter. But I am asking if it’s really necessary anymore? Don’t we deserve to get the most of our clothing all year round?
Let’s go investigate!
History of The “No White After Labor Day” – Style Rule
Why would you pack away something that looks great on you? Especially when the summer might be still going on strong. I love white autumn and winter looks because of their freshness and simplicity. White has a pristine look that admittedly requires more maintenance but it’s SO worth the trouble.
The grand house of American etiquette, The Emily Post Institute in Vermont gives us a historical insight to this now dated style rule. Their advice helps us understand better why people believed that white was only for the summer.
“Back in Emily’s day—the nineteen 00s, 10s and 20s—the summer season was bracketed by Memorial Day and Labor Day. Society flocked en masse from town house to seaside “cottage” or mountain “cabin” to escape the heat.
City clothes were left behind in exchange for lighter, whiter, summer outfits. Come fall and the return to the city, summer clothes were put away and more formal city clothes donned once more.
It was an age when there was a dress code for practically every occasion, and the signal to mark the change between summer resort clothes and clothing worn for the rest of the year was encapsulated in the dictum “No white after Labor Day.” And it stuck.”
– Emily Post Institute
Some style rules just have no place in the modern world and I think this might be one of those. In my professional personal stylist opinion you can totally ignore this dated style rule and continue to wear your gorgeous white looks way after Labor Day.
Nowadays wearing white in the autumn/fall, and even winter, is completely acceptable and worn by the most stylish people around the world. Just open any Vogue or Elle, or look through most stylist Instagram influencers.
Sit back and enjoy my best white style picks for you this fall. After seeing these stylish looks you will want to wear your white outfits way past Labor Day!
1. Beautiful White Dresses
Wear these beauties with cool boots and chunky knitwear. My first instinct would be to reserve my white dresses for summer only. But then I saw some seriously cool girls wearing theirs with black opaque tights and big cardigans way past Labor Day, and I so changed my mind about the look.
A peak of a white dress looks really nice under a long trench coat. I also like a fresh white frock worn with a serious blazer. You can also add layers under your dress to keep you warm. My favorite is the good old turtle neck that updates instantly any look to fall-winter season.
Take a look at these stylish fall dress picks and fall in love, pun intended.
2. Fantastic White Blazers
Glam up your trusted denim with a crisp white blazer. This look is typically associated with spring but I assure you that it’s totally wearable and super chic in the fall too.
Wear a black or camel turtleneck under your white blazer to take away the summery vibe of the look. White blazer is also a great canvas for displaying any statement jewelry, scarves or printed shirts. Alternatively you can go for a minimalist look in monochrome head-to-toe white.
You could also try an on-trend sleeveless blazer, especially if your climate allows it. If not, try wearing a longsleeve under it. Or perhaps your heart beats faster for a lady-like tweed number with those luxe gold buttons? The possibilities are endless but the look remains sophisticated and oozes “old money”. Emily Post would totally approve that part!
3. Gorgeous White Shoes
A white shoe makes any look super fresh as we know from our summer styles. But what about autumn and winter? It’s tricky but with the right styling it will look fantastic after Labor Day.
White shoes work well with black tights, both opaque and 20 denier. Especially French girls make that look so effortlessly cool. Tall white boots look fabulous with mini dresses and tailored skirts. The sexy ankle boot works great with jeans, flowy skirts, midi dresses and cropped trousers.
A sleek white pump gets full ten style points from me. Pair yours with denim, tweed or anything that needs an elegant upgrade. Get an effortless chic look by wearing a crisp white shirt, denim of any color and a white heel.
4. …And The Perfect White Handbags To Finish Your All-White Look
5. Great White Jeans
I used to pack my white jeans away after the summer before I realized that they look amazing with chunky knitwear and cool ankle boots. The look is super fresh and fashion editor approved around the world.
White is a great canvas for many prints and statement colors, also those with strong autumn vibes. And of course the monochrome black & white look works all year round. All shades of brown combine well with white denim too. My personal favorite has to be camel sweater with a white jean.
Get More Fall Fashion Inspiration Beyond These “How To Wear White” Style Tips
1. My blog is always a great source to get more fall fashion inspiration. Here I have selected a few posts that I know you will enjoy:
- Easy Summer to Fall Transitional Style Tips
- Back To Work Style Tips
- The Best Navy Work Dresses
- Extend The Life Of Your Summer Dress
- Back To Work Fashion Ideas
Subscribe to my blog and get all the latest image and style posts straight into your inbox.
2. On Pinterest I have a dedicated board for women’s workwear called Working Wardrobe. Head there and start saving the best office looks on your own style boards.
3. Follow me on your favorite social media channel for MORE amazing workwear inspo. Especially my Instagram is a really great place to be for this purpose.
👉 Follow I on Image on social media for attainable personal image & personal styling tips, fabulous shopping ideas and amazing fashion advice 🧥👗👠
4. Shop my style on LIKEtoKNOW.it shopping app. Let me know in comments what type of content you would like to see more. I am happy to consider all suggestions!
White is not your color after all? Try wearing green to work instead or go for a classic navy business look.
This post was originally published on 11th September 2015 updated on September 2023 with up to date style advice and FABULOUS new styles for you to shop.
Enjoy your Labor Day in style and keep on wearing fresh white all fall long!
I bet you look amazing in white all year round! Thank you for your comment xx
I LOVE wearing white and it’s one of my favourite colours. It’s a closet staple. I couldn’t imagine not wearing white during the winter, but also the history behind “no white after Labour Day” is so fascinating.
I wear white after Labor Day and these are great options! 🤍
Glad you enjoyed reading this!
Lovely post , thanks for sharing..