How to Wear White After Labor Day

Ditch This Rule and Look Good in Any Color All Year Round

“Don’t wear white after Labor Day!”

We hear this same rule every single year, but no one explains why and most seem to ignore it. So do we really have to follow this advice? Short answer: no.

Here at AYSHA NY, we did some digging to find out where this outdated Labor Day fashion rule came from. We’ll give you the full history, and some tips for how to wear white using styles from our own collection. With the right styling, you can wear any color at any time of the year. 

Where Did This Rule Come From?

People have been wearing white in hot climates for thousands of years now, as it’s believed to reflect the sunlight and keep you cooler. However, this Labor Day fashion rule was likely started by late 19th-century elites as a way to distinguish the upper and lower classes.

Since white is the cleanest and most Summer-friendly color, you would only wear it during Fall and Winter if you could afford to vacation somewhere nicer. Therefore, an unspoken rule was then established — don’t wear white when it gets cool out. And when Labor Day became a federal holiday in 1894, society marked it as the official end of summer and this bizarre rule changed accordingly. Overtime, however, it applied to every middle and upper class family in the country.

Needless to say, this mindset is extremely outdated and has been for years. The world is a different place now, and there should be no set rule on how to wear white. And like many others in the fashion world, we say wear whatever color you want no matter the season.

Wear White All Year Round with AYSHA NY

Now that we’ve settled that matter, you’re probably wondering how to wear white in Autumn and Winter. If you’re not used to it, there are some things you can do to incorporate it into your wardrobe:

1. Buy something that features another color, like blue and white stripes or white with black polka dots.

2. If you’re scared of looking washed-out, choose an off-white color like ivory or cream.

3. Buy separates and pair them with items that you’re used to. You can never go wrong with black pants and red heels.

To give you a better idea, here’s how we’d style some of our favorites for Autumn:

Candice Dress

With its blue and white fabric and crochet designs, the Candice Dress was meant for summer weather. But even with Autumn coming up, there’s no reason to put it away just yet. Show it just a little more love this September by pairing it with a jacket, a cardigan, or our Powder Blue Caplet when you go out.

And as for shoes, we’d recommend a pair of tan flats or loafers to enhance that laid-back style.

Melanie Dress

As you get further into Fall, our Melanie Maxi can become one of your go-to looks. Off white with large black polka dots, it’s super easy to accessorize throughout the year. You’ve already seen how good it looks with our AYSHA Blazer, and it’s just as fabulous when paired with our Knit Blazer or Charcoal Caplet.

And you’ll look extra fabulous when you add a pair of dark-colored heels or boots.

Blousettes

And of course, we just can’t forget about our Blousettes. Two of our best-sellers feature a black and white polka dot print that you can pair with almost anything. And when the weather gets cooler, we especially love to wear them with our 14-Hour Pants and a nice pair of ankle boots.

By pairing white with a dark color, you'll create a chic and refreshing look that's not too summery. Stepping out of your comfort zone can be scary at first. But once you start experimenting, you just might surprise yourself.

Don’t let outdated rules tell you how to wear white, or any other color. By adding just a few details, you can transition your Labor Day fashion to Autumn and Winter with total ease.