There are many outdated adages in fashion - don't mix blue and black,
always keep a hankie handy, don't wear a hat indoors...actually, we're
on board with that last one still. But, as social norms evolve and men's
style changes along with them, any so-called rule is worth
re-examining. And there is perhaps none that is as frequently quotes -
and now totally baseless - as the idea that white is not to be worn
after Labor Day or before Memorial Day.
The origins of this concept reflect just how out of touch it is with modern day life. According to TIME,
wearing white was a symbol of wealth in the early 20th century, when
well-off Americans fled the city to spend the summer in exclusive, more
rural enclaves in which they faced no threat of soiling their pristine
clothes with the soot and grime associated with urban life. When they
returned to town after Labor Day, the traditional end of the summer
season, they'd leave those clothes behind and switch into their darker
colored wardrobe.
So, while a pair of white linen pants today would probably fare better seaside in the Hamptons than in a stroll through Midtown Manhattan,
no one is going to ostracize you from your social circle if you show up
wearing them in mid-September. And given the fact that many of us are
dealing with warmer weather in the fall than we have in the past, some lightweight white clothing may prove to be practical after the summer season is officially over, too.
We've already extolled the virtues of the plain white t-shirt as an enduring year-round style staple in any man's wardrobe, and the all-white sneaker is pretty much as versatile and classic
as footwear gets. But don't be afraid to keep a pair of white jeans in
your rotation far into the winter, as well. Especially if you keep them
crisp, white jeans can perfectly set off a heavy beige or neutral-toned
sweater. And if you're particularly gutsy, like present-day style icon Mark Ronson, you can always try your hand at rocking a sharp white suit.
