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 toescape the muggy summer heat of the polluted cities on the East Coast around the end of the 18th century.
Nevertheless, we were taught the rule like our mothers and their mothers, and the 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white from early fall to the beginning of summer – maybe until the middle of the last century, these reasons are no longer valid.
This post shows you how to wear white after Labor Day and look fashion-forward.
How to wear white in the cold season
Here are some easy ways how to incorporate white after Labor Day into your daily outfits with 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.
Oliveo plaid button-down shirt, London Jean white boyfriend jeans, Kieselstein Cord belt and buckle, statement bag, Ray Ban sunglasses, L.K. Bennett navy blue patent leather pumps, and Vittoria navy blue blazer (all own) - 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.
Orvis suede blazer, GNW sweater, INC leather pants, silk scarf, Kieselstein Cord belt and buckle, and Coach booties (all own) - White ankle boots are trend right now.
Pantyhose, Fendi boots, baroque and triple-string necklaces, structured briefcase (all own), Akoya saltwater pearl necklace c/o The Pearl Source Inc., layering top c/o Halftee, downcoat c/o Happy Goat Lucky, and Samantha Brown faux wrap dress c/o HSN - The classic American snow-white button-down shirt works year round when the temperatures permit wearing a shirt with a skirt or pants.
White shirt, black studded skirt both c/o Misook, styled with own Max Mara boots, Chanel belt and necklace - Try different shades and hues of the color. A cream cashmere sweater or cardigan, leather jacket or a wool blazer.
Graham and Spencer motorcycle leather jacket, Brooks Brothers mock turtleneck sweater, Eddie Bauer tweed skirt, GNW tights, tall black boots and statementent necklace (all own) - While you can wear leather in summer, it’s typically considered a cold season material. A leather coat in a milk shade looks so posh in spring.
LeatherCoatsEtc red gloves and leather coat with faux fur details, Celine bag, Pavlova Russian scarf and Double H lace-up booties (all own) - Try a statement wool coat in milk or cream.
Embroidered coat, LeatherCoatsEtc gloves, Calvin Klein sheath, GNW tight, green wool beret, scarf (all own), and Musse & Cloud booties c/o Coolway - Look for a non-dyed Irish wool cable knit sweater.
Newport News leather pants, oversize cable-knit sweater, heeled duck booties, Cangol driver’s cap, statement necklace (all own) - Wear fall or winter dresses or sweaters that don the color or don it as an accent.
GNW tights with Nicole fall sandals (all own) worn with a cream dress c/o Lookbook Store and layering top c/o Adea - 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.
- 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. The denim fabric is the same insulation-wise unless your denim jacket is an iconic trucker jacket, i.e. with teddy faux fur lining and colar. A blazer in powder also looks preppy.
Anne Klein blazer, Moda International leather pants, Harley Davidson booties, Great Northwest press button shirt, three string pearl necklace, brooch, Kieselstein Cord belt (all own) - Try a snow leopard or zebra prints or a polka dot sweater or dress with long sleeves.
Sienna Studio leather skirt, dagwood flower bead necklace, Hermes collier de chien bangle, GNW tight, Harley Davidson booties (all own) and 3/4 sleeve zebra print v-neck Tee c/o Covered Perfectly - Hounds tooth or herring bone are great weaves that traditionally feature the color after Labor Day.
Shearling cap, Be by Blanc Noir puffer vest, Kieselstein Cord belt, Banana Republic houndstooth pencil skirt, Brooks Brothers mockneck long-sleeve cashmere sweater, Hermes collier de chien bangle, GNW semi-opaque tight, and Harley Davidson booties (all own) - Try boot toppers with faux snow fox print on very cold days.
Halogen skirt, GNW Luxe sweater, GNW leopard print cardigan, GNW tight, Kieselstein Cord belt, H buckle, Jord bamboo watch (all own) and boot topper c/o Top of the Boot
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.
P.S. Like these outfit ideas? If so, please feel free to pin them to your own Pinterest board.
What not to wear
Never wear a white downcoat. It looks like you are a sleepwalker carrying your blanket like Linus van Pelt. #Whiteafterlaborday Click To TweetJoin the High Latitude Style tribe
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Photos: G. Kramm
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