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2 weeks ago
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You've probably grown up knowing the fashion 'rule' that you can't wear white after Labor Day, but why is that?
Despite most following the unspoken order, a lot of fashion lovers aren't aware of the history behind the unofficial mandate - or the fact that believe it or not, it started in the Gilded Age, during the late 1800s to early 1900s.
During the summer months, upper-class New Yorkers would flaunt their best all-white outfits when they ventured to oceanic places to cool down, such as Newport, Rhode Island, and Southampton.
It was inappropriate to wear shorts or mini-dresses during that time, despite the rising heat waves, therefore, white was practically worn to reflect light, and keep wearers comfortable outside.
When fall arrived and it was time for New Yorkers to head back to the city, the whites were put away, because the streets of the Big Apple were dirty with its garbage, horse excrement, and mystery stains and smells.
Dunne, Nader, Xandra Pohl and another woman all posed for a selfie at Michael Rubin's famous July 4th White Party at his mansion in the Hamptons
You've probably grown up knowing the fashion 'rule' that you can't wear white after Labor Day, but why is that?
Despite most following the unspoken order, a lot of fashionistas aren't aware of the history behind the unofficial mandate - or the fact that believe it or not, it started in the Gilded Age
Fashion historian Amanda Hallay shared with Harper's Bazaar: 'By the end of the 19th century, upper-class Americans escaped the summer heat of the city, by retreating to the countryside or seaside, where white clothing remained free of the inevitable grime of the increasingly industrialized urban centers.
'This was a sartorially social divide - only those who could afford to wear white, could wear white.
'Not only did the wealthy summer in the far-cleaner countryside, but should their beautiful white dresses get dirty, they had servants to launder them.
'It was a snobbish way for the upper echelons to distinguish themselves from the burgeoning nouveau riche.'
To wear white, or to not wear white - that is the question that many TikTokers are either swaying towards or against in this modern age.
For some content creators, bad habits die hard, therefore, many are consciously sporting their best white fits only before Labor Day.
One content creator's overlaid text read: 'Wearing an all-white outfit for the second day in a row, because I need to get my cost-per-wear on my white outfits before Labor Day!!!'
Another influencer's overlaid text read: 'Wearing all my white before Labor Day.'
During the summer months, upper-class New Yorkers would flaunt their best all-white outfits when they ventured to oceanic places to cool down, such as Newport and Rhode Island
When fall arrived and it was time for New Yorkers to head back to the city, the whites were put away, because the streets of the Big Apple were dirty with its garbage and horse excrement
A third content creator's overlaid text read: 'Wearing as much white-on-white, as humanly possible before Labor Day.'
A fourth influencer's caption read: 'Wearing all white before the Labor Day elves come and take away my summer clothes, when the clock strikes midnight on Monday.'
Other influencers however are taking a stand against the unspoken fashion 'rule.'
One person's overlaid text read: 'It's almost Labor Day and here's your reminder that it's ok to wear white after Labor Day!'
A second person said: 'Wearing white before Labor Day, on Labor Day, and any other day I darned well please.'
While a third influencer added: 'Pretending that my window of time of wearing white denim is fleeting, when in reality, I do in fact wear white after Labor Day, because you can't break rules that don't really exist.'
A fourth content creator's overlaid text read: 'When you decide to wear all white after Labor Day.'
English (US)