Is white alright: tossing antiquated notions to the wayside
Is White Alright? The question that arises in a person’s mind when Labor Day approaches is, “Is it still alright to wear the white items in my closet?” Wearing white after Labor Day is not the complete fashion faux pas it once was. Grace Anderson, manager of Ginger Michelle boutique, says, “The rule is gone, you can wear white”. Ginger Michelle has found the white BB Dakota jacket for $57 dollars is selling better than the blue or black colored jackets. She says the only items that people tend to shy away from after Labor Day are the white shoes. Anderson does find women of older generations standing firm on the belief; although, there does not seem to be any decline in the purchasing of white garments after the Labor Day holiday.
Grace Anderson with a $57 white BB Dakota jacket.
The rule of not being allowed to wear white after Labor Day is thought to have stemmed from many origins. Nancy Penn, image consultant, suggests that because white reflects light and heat, wearing color would make you cooler in the winter months, and logically, a person would want to avoid it. Valerie Steel, Acting Director of the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology, also notes that in the late nineteenth century and the 1950’s more people were moving into a middle class. As a result, the nouveau-riche people were unaware of the standards of high society. In order to be able to fit in, these people were given specific codified rules to follow in order to fit into their new social class.
The phrase that is important to remember when looking at the white items in your closet is “winter white”. As long as the item is not made with linen fabrics, they are all right. Suze YalofSchwartz, executive fashion editor at large for Glamour, says, “Do not put away your white jeans. They can be paired with a great sweater and t-shirt, and you will always look chic.” YalofSchwartz says, that it will look “very Micheal Kors.” Another trick is that if you pair a white item under an outfit it can give a slimming effect. Also, the sharp contrast of white can bring a dynamic look to any outfit.
The important idea to remember is that fashion is always changing. With each new look, a trend can be born. Issac Mizrahi is a designer always pushing the envelope; thus, he is a great contributor to the always-changing fashion industry. For the winter season, Mizrahi produced a white bootie for $37 dollars that was available at Target.
With the Labor Day holiday now come and gone, do not give up on the white items you own. Utilize these items to your advantage. It might take looking closer into your closet, but realizing that you can pair the traditional winter items you already have with the white items you would normally avoid, you can open new possibilities of taking an outfit from normal to chic in a matter of minutes. After all, the great Coco Chanel, who was prized for her contributions to the fashion world, wore white twelve months out of the year.
Danielle Daum contributed this report.
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