Can you wear white after Labor Day? These Long Islanders show you how

It’s a familiar tale: You can’t wear white after Labor Day (unless you’re getting married, of course). The fashion "rule" reportedly dates back to the 19th century when it was created as a way to distinguish those with wealth. And while it is widely adhered to, even today, that decree is not exactly set in stone for many Long Islanders. 

“I wear white all year long, and my mother-in-law likes to remind me Labor Day is over, but white is never over for my wardrobe,” says Kathleen Newman Bennetter, 47, president of fashion and lifestyle consultanting group NewmKat PR.

Fortunately, there are ways to incorporate white into your attire without completely disregarding the color for much of the calendar year. The key? Stick to one white item at a time.

When it comes to Newman Bennetter’s own design philosophy, she says, “In the fall, I wear white or off-white Bermuda shorts with a chunky knit or tweed blazer, and it looks fresh and modern. For winter, I love an all-white look and use different shades of white."

Adds Newman Bennetter, of Garden City, "On Christmas, I wore an off-white satin bias skirt with an oatmeal-like sequin collar cardigan and black Carolina Herrera heels.”

KEEPING WHITE IN YOUR FALL WARDROBE

Many Long Island boutique owners are also pro wearing white post Labor Day. Malik Dupri Morris, 27, owner of clothing store Malik Dupri at Roosevelt Field Mall, says he's always interpreted the saying as: "Don’t wear white pants after Labor Day."

"I knew it was a thing but never really questioned why," he says. "Growing up as a Jamaican man, let me tell you," white pants were a staple, he adds. "I honestly feel like if you want to rock them, go ahead. Don’t listen to anyone telling you what you can or can't do. Just make sure your fit is fire.” 

Morris recommends turning to accessories when looking to incorporate a subtle hint of white in a fall look. “Ultimately, I feel like in New York, fashion is so diverse, so adding bold and seasonal colors tends to make your outfit vibe better. Some of our white sunglasses accent any outfit, so we may just throw those in to top it off.”

Alex Christian Maccaro, 33, a curatorial researcher at the Nassau County Museum of Art from Oyster Bay, says he limits white attire to dress shirts or T-shirts. “I am more subtle with my fashion choices in the fall.” 

Madison Mckean, 23, of Nesconset, says she too continues to wear white all year, though she follows her own set of rules. 

“It’s easy to tell the difference between which whites are OK to wear after Labor Day and which ones aren’t," she explains. "I usually ask myself, ‘Would I wear this on a hot, sunny summer day?,’ and if the answer is yes, then it means it’s probably not a good post-Labor Day choice.” 

This means focusing on the material of the clothing at hand. “When I’m dressing myself in white for fall, I usually just choose heavier weight white pieces,” says Mckean. “I favor cozy white sweaters and love when it gets chilly enough to wear one with my favorite pair of denim jeans. I also have a favorite white scarf/hat set that I wear when it’s really cold out.” 

WHITE AFTER LABOR DAY TIPS 

Tandy Jeckel, owner of clothing boutique TandyWear in Commack, suggests a few tips you can keep in mind when it comes to wearing white post-summer.

1: “Be aware of fabric. Heavier materials pair up flawlessly with jackets and sweaters.”

2: “Remember: When it comes to styling, white is a shade, not a color … many variations of white and creamier whites — such as ivories and winter whites — are easiest to blend with warm, fall/winter colors.”

3: “We say when creating your look, keep the whites on your body in your clothing selections. Save the white accessories — such as shoes, handbags and jewelry — for your summer wardrobe.”