Can you wear white after Labor Day? It feels like such an outdated question, and yet year after year I get asked some version of it: Can I wear white pants in October? Is not wearing white after Labor Day actually a thing?  What colors can’t I wear after Labor Day?

Realistically, you can wear whatever you want as long as it’s not offensive. There are no fashion police who will ticket or arrest you for breaking from these old school style “rules.” But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth considering why this was thought a true rule in the first place. And why the short answer—yes, you can wear white after Labor Day—should really come with an asterisk, and a whole lot more explanation.

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Bottom Line

Wearing white after Labor Day is an outdated rule that didn’t have a ton of logic to back it up in the first place. But there are some white clothing items that do feel odd to wear after summer’s unofficial end. At the end of the day, if you’re unsure or feel uncomfortable, just swap it out. You can always play around with a different outfit combination later to see exactly what are the best ways to rock your white clothing pieces after Labor Day, Emily Post be damned.

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