Best Tricks How to Wear White after Labor Day

We were taught the rule like our mothers and their mothers, and their mothers, … . While there were cultural, economic, fashion and maintenance related reasons for not wearing white from early fall to the beginning of summer – maybe until the middle of the last century, today these reasons are no longer valid. This post shows you how to wear white after Labor Day and look fashion-forward.

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Why to Toss Old Fashion Rules to Not Look old Lady

The fashion rule to not wear white after Labor Day is so yesteryear or better yestercentury. It’s related to rich  Americans wearing white in summer when they fled to their estates in the country-side to escape the muggy summer heat of the polluted cities on the East Coast around the end of the 18^th century. Today we have air conditioning. Thanks to the clean air act in the 70s, air pollution has gone down.  Furthermore, doing the laundry became easier thanks to the invention of the washing machines, driers and efficient degerents. Today your can even dry clean at home. This means all the reasons to follow that rule are gone. Let’s move to today and …

How to Wear White after Labor Day

Here is a list of easy ways how to wear white after Labor Day using pieces from your closet that you already own.

• Work with classic color combinations like blue and white, or black and white. For instance, a white pair of boyfriend jeans works well in fall when combined with a cotton plaid button-down shirt and a navy blue, gold button blazer for the commute on a chilly day (without rain in the forecast as otherwise you would look unworldly because wet sideways cause spots). The blue patent leather pumps, embellished gold and blue belt, and the structured blue off-white black bag give this menswear inspired fall outfit a feminine vibe.

   
  

   
  

  

   

• White denim is perfect for winter when temperatures are so low that no splash occurs. In other words, under such weather conditions you can wear white in winter. So chic.
• White jeans or cream wool pants look awesome with red, oyster, shell or brown booties or pumps.

  

   

• White ankle boots are trend right now. Thus, getting a pair is the easiest way how to don the color after the end of summer.

   
  

  

   

• The American Classic snow-white button-down shirt works year round when the temperatures permit wearing a shirt with a skirt or pants.

   
  

  

   

• Try different shades and hues of the color. A cream cashmere sweater or cardigan, leather jacket or a wool blazer.
• While you can wear leather in spring and summer, it’s typically considered a cold season material. A leather coat in a milk shade looks so posh also in fall and winter.

   
  

  

   

  

   

• Try a statement wool coat in milk or cream.

   
  

  

   

• Look for a non-dyed Irish wool cable knit sweater.

   
  

  

   

• Wear fall or winter dresses or sweaters that don the color or don it as an accent.

   
  

  

   

• Go for a military inspired look with a T-shirt peeking out under a button-down shirt. Recall: Layering ups the style and increases insulation for protection from the elements.
• What about accessories like a hat, beret, scarf, gloves in the color? It makes a stark contrast to the standard dark coat wardrobe. In addition, you reduce the loss of your body heat when wearing a hat!
• Go for a monochromatic look with a pop of color and/or wear white with winterwhite.
• On Casual Friday, swap your blue denim for an undyed denim jacket. While the denim fabric is the same insulation-wise, unless your denim jacket is an iconic trucker jacket with teddy faux fur lining and collar, the lack of color makes a statement. A blazer in powder also creates a preppy style look.

   

  

   

• Try a snow leopard or zebra prints or a polka dot sweater or dress with long sleeves.

   
  

  

   

• Hounds tooth or herring bone are great weaves that traditionally feature the color after Labor Day.

   
  

  

   

• Try boot toppers with faux snow fox print on very cold days.
• Try a 3/4 sleeve length jersey dress like the Victoria Beckham inspired dress below. Add fall color accessories like the tan bag, belt and shoes.

   

   
  
   

  

Don’t let the right outfit be a random thing. Wear the right look in every situation by looking up what to wear when in How to Dress for Success in Midlife. Buy my book now.

Like these outfit ideas? If so, please pin them to your own Pinterest board.

Outfit Ideas How to Wear White in Winter

How Not to Wear White after Labor Day

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Photos: G. Kramm

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