Why Can’t You Wear White After Labor Day?

In our office this week, we had a patient pose the question – “Why Can’t You Wear White After Labor Day?” It makes sense to wear white in the summer, especially in the DC heat. After a little research, we discovered that the adage goes back to the 1900s, when wives of high society clashed with wives of “new money”.

“By the 1880s, in order to tell who was acceptable and who wasn’t, the women who were already “in” felt it necessary to create dozens of fashion rules that everyone in the know had to follow. That way, if a woman showed up at the opera in a dress that cost more than most Americans made in a year, but it had the wrong sleeve length, other women would know not to give her the time of day.”

Wearing white was one of these rules! By the 1950s, women’s magazines made it clear to middle class America: White clothing came out on Memorial Day and went away on Labor Day.

These days, however, the fashion world is much more relaxed. Fashion experts, including Coco Chanel and many more, have started wearing white no matter the season – and here at Dr. Carters’ office you will definitely see us in our white lab coats all year round!

Happy Labor Day weekend!