Wear White After Labor Day?
So, Can you wear white after labor day? Does it really matter? Where did this “fashion rule” emerge from anyway? While chatting with a friend one day this subject popped up and I just had to do some research on it!
The Rich And Snooty
This subject made me shake my head and laugh. It began in the late 19th Century with rich, high society women and coming up with ways to distinguish “old money” from new millionaires…sort of like an exclusive club where only the members of the “old money” club would know “real fashion sense!”
This fashion rule began when Labor day became a federal holiday in 1894. It was then recognized as the end of Summer and putting away cool white clothing for the season became the tradition.
How silly, when you think about it… a group of snobs sitting at a table a few days after labor day sipping their tea and nibbling on crumpets when another wealthy couple enters the country club. She is wearing a white silk dress, hat, and gloves! Can’t you hear the snickers? Everyone knows it’s after Labor Day, dahling!
They even had rules about sleeve lengths at certain festivities. Can you imagine being dictated to (and judged) about your wardrobe? On the other hand, have you been paying attention to the trends in styles and colors over the past few decades? Yes, I am that old.
Where’s The Fabric?
In this anything-goes era, it’s not the color that bothers most as much as the lack of fabric and modesty. Gone are the days of long skirts and high collars that promptly speak virtue and indicate not only modesty but a better sense of self-worth than the attire seen today.
If You Got It, Flaunt It?
What is wrong with that phrase? What does that phrase suggest? This leaves females vulnerable to sexual assault and the insinuation that she not only welcomes advances but somehow deserves to be raped because of the way she dresses.
Advocates will argue that we should be able to dress however we like. Although this may be true, remember the world we live in and realize that predators are out there. Nobody is entirely safe from those who seek to do harm yet why deliberately attract them?
Less Is Not More
Have you heard the phrase “less is more?” Do we really believe this applies to a wardrobe choice? Is society really that desensitized? Take a look at one example of then and now:
Society has clearly put on the blinders when it comes to acceptable attire. In fact, it is promoted. Basic morals and values have been disappearing for decades. It is pretty obvious every time you turn on the television.
Where Are We Headed?
2 Timothy 3:2 Context
1This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
The good book sums it up in the above verse and we should take heed to His message. Can you wear white after labor day? The issue is how many can really wear white at all. I personally like white and how clean it looks. Maybe that is why we will receive our robes of white when Jesus returns.
