Labor Day is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated annually on the first Monday in September. The holiday originated in the late 19th century as a celebration of the labor movement and a tribute to the contributions of American workers. Over time, certain fashion traditions have become associated with Labor Day, such as wearing white clothing.
The History of Labor Day
The first Labor Day was celebrated on September 5, 1882 in New York City under the direction of the Central Labor Union. In the years that followed, more and more states began adopting Labor Day as an official holiday. Oregon was the first state to recognize Labor Day as a holiday in 1887. By 1894, over half the states had adopted Labor Day as a holiday. That same year, Congress passed legislation making the first Monday in September a federal legal holiday in honor of workers across the country.
Labor Day celebrations often featured parades to showcase the strength of trade unions and other labor organizations. The holiday provided an opportunity for laborers to participate in festivities that celebrated their contributions to the country’s economy and infrastructure. The Central Labor Union urged people to avoid attending work and encouraged factory owners to close down for the holiday so workers could participate.
The Tradition of Wearing White
Although Labor Day celebrations have evolved over the decades, certain traditions have endured. One such tradition is wearing white clothing, particularly white pants and shoes, over the Labor Day weekend and on Labor Day itself. This tradition has its roots in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, light-colored summer clothing was beginning to give way to darker fall clothing following Labor Day. Wealthy vacationers wore white during the summer months, especially at coastal resort towns. The white outfit demonstrated both their wealth and their leisure time.
As Labor Day emerged as the unofficial end of summer, wearing white took on a special significance. Donning lighter colors symbolized celebrating the last moments of summer before the fall season arrived. However, only certain groups could wear white beyond the summer months without raising eyebrows.
The tradition solidified in the early to mid-20th century among well-to-do vacationers in coastal New England. They would prolong their summer fashion past Labor Day weekend while vacationing. When they returned home to cities like Boston, they stood out by wearing white. This demonstrated their social status since only the affluent could escape the city for lengthy vacations.
When Did Wearing White After Labor Day Become Taboo?
As white became a status symbol in the early 20th century, the elite determined rules around when and how one could properly don white clothing. By the 1950s, accepted etiquette dictated that wearing pure white was inappropriate past Labor Day weekend. However, lighter neutral tones like off-white were still acceptable.
As the 20th century progressed, wearing white pants, dresses, and shoes after Labor Day increasingly became a major faux pas among American fashionistas. Department stores would even mark down white clothes after Labor Day to move remaining summer inventory.
The strict prohibition on wearing white drew from both class and functionality. As lighter colors were impractical in cooler weather, they became associated with leisure and luxury. Only the upper class had the means to escape cold weather and don white clothing year-round. Therefore, wearing white after summer implied one was not in touch with the realities of life for working-class Americans.
| Decade | White After Labor Day Views |
|---|---|
| 1900s-1930s | Wearing white seen as a status symbol |
| 1940s-1950s | White increasingly seen as for summer only |
| 1960s-1970s | Strict taboo against wearing white |
| 1980s-1990s | Taboo starts relaxing |
| 2000s-2010s | Wearing white year-round widely accepted |
Relaxing of the White After Labor Day Rule
Over time, the strict prohibition on wearing white after early September gradually relaxed across the late 20th century into the 21st century. Several factors contributed to the shift.
For one, air travel became more accessible and air conditioning more widespread by the 1950s and 1960s. This made it feasible for more Americans to escape cold weather and wear summer fashions year-round. The growing popularity of winter vacations to warmer climates also meant white clothing could have utility outside of summer.
Additionally, a youth counterculture emerged that rebelled against the rigid dress codes of older generations. Young people increasingly ignored fashion conventions, choosing comfort and personal expression over rules.
Moreover, the rise of casual Fridays in offices brought informal attire into the workplace. As dress codes overall became more relaxed and flexible, they reflected less class stratification. What was once unacceptable for the average person to wear was now commonplace.
Finally, the fashion industry realized they had an opportunity to extend sales of white clothing by marketing it for spring, winter, and year-round use. This further helped normalize defying the prohibition on white after early fall.
Is Wearing White After Labor Day Still Taboo?
Today, the rule against wearing white after Labor Day endures mostly as a lighthearted joke rather than a fashion law. While some etiquette experts maintain the tradition against pure white, popular consensus deems the taboo as dated. Instead, fashion writers encourage wearing colors that suit individual styles and complexions regardless of season.
However, regional and contextual norms still apply. Wearing bright white may be seen as passe at formal business or social occasions on the east coast. And individuals whose tastes skew traditional may raise eyebrows at white pants on a chilly October day.
So while the hard and fast rule against white after summer has eroded, remnants linger. Those who wish to avoid any side-eyes may opt to put away their whitest shades until next spring outside of warm climates or casual settings. In most cases though, wearing white after Labor Day is widely accepted across modern fashion.
Key Takeaways on Wearing White After Labor Day
- Wearing white clothing after Labor Day originated among wealthy vacationers in the early 20th century as a status symbol representing summer leisure time.
- By the mid-20th century, wearing pure white between Labor Day and Memorial Day became a fashion taboo due to its impracticality and elitist connotations.
- From the late 20th century onward, the rule relaxed as year-round white clothing became more feasible and fashion conventions loosened.
- Most contemporary sources say wearing white year-round is broadly acceptable, with some exceptions for very formal occasions.
- Regional norms on the east coast tend to remain slightly stricter, while warmer climates have fully embraced post-Labor Day white.
In summary, wearing white after Labor Day was once considered a major fashion blunder but has since evolved into a matter of personal preference. While some outdated stigmas linger, most Americans feel free to sport white year-round without committing a fashion faux pas.
So feel confident rocking those white jeans deep into fall while celebrating the rich history of Labor Day. Just be mindful of those around you who may cling to the outdated etiquette that white is reserved for summer only. With style and consideration, Americans can honor the past while ushering in new traditions around this beloved cultural holiday.