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I always thought you could wear white from Easter to Labor Day — but that the rule only applied to shoes! Hmm...—Sandy

It's hard to get away from the teachings of your parents. Here in the Southwest, I have never understood wearing black in the middle of the summer when it's 115 outside but everyone does it. Where I was raised, it was Easter Sunday. You broke out the white in celebration of Easter and put the black away until Labor Day and vice versa.—Cindy

I grew up in San Francisco in the 60's and early 70's and I can remember my Mom, Aunt and Grandmother carrying on about white, Labor Day and Memorial Day, blah blah blah.....well, my Mom is 75 now and live is Boca Raton and she wears white 365 days a year...my Aunt is appalled (she's 80 and still lives in North California). Of course when I was little, in addition to the "white rules" you didn't go to San Francisco to shop unless you were in your Sunday Best and I have to admit I still do that, would not think of going to San Francisco in jeans!—Sue

With chasing after a busy 18-month old every day, I am lucky if I remember TO get dressed in the morning!! —Kathy S.

Suzanne, I've never been a slave to fashion (much to the dismay of my wife, family, and co-workers). Arbitrary rules like don't mix plaids and redheads should never wear red, well, I scoff at them. So I'd be proud to wear a white hat at any time during the year. In fact, I promise to wear it during our next snowstorm here in Maryland.—Larry

I grew up on the West Coast at the beach and we didn't follow those rules so harshly, that is unless you were going to the club and then you BETTER get it right.—Shanna

As to your question of when to wear white. Perhaps those of us that know to say between Memorial Day and Labor day might just be sharing our ages, without knowing it! :) So, I'll confess, I'll wear white blouses, but never white shoes, pants, dresses or skirts after Labor Day or before Memorial Day.—Barb

I've tried and tried to feel comfortable about breaking the "white" rule but I can't! The rule is no white shoes/clothes (except gym-type shoes) until Memorial Day or after Labor Day. White hats, too, unless a cap, then it's probably acceptable. P.S. My family thinks I'm nuts, they wear what they please.—Susan

Out here in California, we follow a pretty easy rule, when the rain stops, the white comes out, when the rains starts, the white goes into the closet.—Rebecca

Yes I still go by the "white rule", only here it is you can wear white after Easter and until Labor Day. The only exception are white running type shoes. Funny.—Linda, Cedar Rapids

I wear white whenever the mood strikes. :) I am a children's librarian, so there is an occupational hazard to wearing too much white on storytime days... :) But I am generally not restrained by what Emily Post would tell me to wear. Can I have a hat? :) —Andrea

I grew up near Chicago with the ironclad rule of "white". I can remember wearing white shoes on Easter in the snow and yet despite warm weather on Labor Day we put them away!! Thanks for the memory! —Julie

Suzanne - You and the ladies in the check-out line haven't been watching the proper commercials on TV. The one I mean obviously isn't very successful because I have forgotten just what is being advertized [Home Depot? where you can get the right information? Maybe], but they talk about wearing white in the winter. The final comment is that the old rule [which I also grew up with] is out the window and no longer applies. So. What could be more official that what we see on TV? Well, let's not go there! — Lou

The rule in the South is that white can be worn on Easter (not before) and through Labor Day (not after). So you can send me a white hat now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! —linda

I think it is proper for the "Good Guys" to wear white hats year-round! ... And obviously you and I are certainly Good Guys... we both seem to love the same books.... Glenda, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Even the men in the office notice when a woman wears white shoes after Labor Day; although, it's more of a joke than anything else. We once had a co-worker who wore white shoes throughout the fall and winter; after few years one of the guys mentioned the "no white after Labor Day" rule to her and she quickly fell in line with the rest of the fashion-conscious sheep.—Sharon

I thought the rule was no wearing of white until after Easter. Which if you live in the east like me can still be pretty cold. My mother grew up in the south and every Easter she would buy me my white patten leather shoes and purse (they had to be white patten for some reason) and that signaled the wearing of the white. Labor day signaled the end of wearing white unless it is winter white and I still can't wear that. I have two daughters and every year they always check to make sure when they can wear white or bring out their summer purse. The summer purse whether it is white or not can't be brought out until after Easter.—Kathy

OK - am a fashion rebel. In fact, one of my favorite things to wear in the winter is a a white knit skirt. I specially like to wear it when there is snow on the ground. I wear it with a white turtleneck and a baby blue wook vest. Cute, if I may say so myself.—Evelyn

 

My mom is from New York and I learned all those rules and they seemed also to apply here in California back in the 50's and 60's when I grew up but maybe that was because of my mother's influence. I still have separate wardrobes for winter and summer and don't feel comfortable wearing white in the winter, even "winter white".—Kim

Suzanne, I'd never wear white before Memorial Day or after Labor Day....tacky, tacky, tacky if you do!!! I was raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during the 40s and 50s and not only did you not wear white until absolute summer (after Memorial Day) but you also didn't go downtown to shop without wearing a dress, hose and a hat. —Louise

I wear white all year round along with my fellow SCCA corner workers. We are the ones who wave flags at racecars. The reason for the white is to help drivers distinguish us from other objects. White can also be a little cooler in the summer. :)

My Mother, from the midwest, adhered stoically to the seasonal white rules. My wife, from Dallas, treats them as if they were wive's tales. I think that it depends on how old you are and where you live.—Doug

Last time I saw this question in "Miss Manners" her response was that the rule still held ...BUT ... there are all sorts of "winter white" outfits made in wool (definitely not summer friendly . especially in Florida). —Tessa

The fashion rule is still in effect about wearing white! I have a Master's degree in Clothing and Costume design!—Tammera

I have been informed unequivically the it is no longer a fashion faux-pas to wear white after Labor Day. Having worked (not too many years ago) in the fashion industry, I can confirm that this is probably agreed upon by most of the major fashion houses.

I am now a member of the Army, however, and there is an actual regulation that dictates that it is basically inappropriate except in certain weather zones (such as, say, Florida) for all except summer wear. Regardless, I know that my dear departed grandma would be spinning in her grave to know that I'm even discussing wearing white during winter or spring, so if you send me a hat, I'll just wait until after 27 May (and after duty hours) to wear it. Thanks for the book club, I love it!—S. Corrie Judge, Combat Medic and verified Book Addict

My 8 year old daughter love white shoes, sandal style and she wears them during the winter which causes a little reaction from me, but then I say why not!—Lynn

Your letter today reminded me of something. When I lived at home with my parents, eons ago, my mother would "work" my closet the first day of spring and the first day of fall (give or take a day or two, not much more than that). The light clothes came out in the spring, the dark clothes came out in the fall. My black patent-leather shoes (my favorites) had to be put away, and my sandals came out. None of this ever made sense to me—where we lived, you still had plenty of snow in the spring.—Debby

When I was growing up in Minnesota, we could wear white and spring colors after Easter and until Labor Day. And it's after Easter and before Labor Day so go for it! Besides, dadgumit, we look good in white. I may just make it my trademark color. I live in Houston, Texas now and we wear our white cowboy boots out to muck out the stalls, paying no attention to the season. And it hasn't freaked out the horses yet. Yeehaw! Thanks for the bit of fun.—Linda

I'm sitting at my desk this morning wearing a crisp white blouse with eyelet. I also have on black and white checked cropped pants. I'm probably going to get arrested by the fashion police. Story of my life.—Barbara

I think white looks good any time of the year - unless you're out traversing in snow, then it doesn't look so hot. I need a white golf cap; hopefully it will improve my game, so count me in.—James

I still hold true to the fashion rules my mother taught me as a child. NO you don't wear white except between Memorial day and Labor day, with an occasional exception for Easter Sunday! How's that for confusion. Winter white (or off white) is always ok.—Pattie

I guess I've always been a misfit - I wear whatever is clean! Whenever! :o) Oh no! Here come the handcuffs!—Keisha

I guess I won't be a winner. I strictly don't wear white until after Memorial Day. In fact, I feel very uncomfortable if I do it. Isn't it crazy the things that get ingrained in you?! My friends make fun of me - especially since I'm not even 30 yet! It's a pleasure reading with you.—Ann

I live in Arizona, ...I think the rule should be that people shouldn't wear white until their skin has the healthy glow of being outdoors...now, that's not a tan because we know that's associated with cancer, but just a healthy glow you get from being able to go outdoors and not being inside all winter long.—Barbara

I was born and raised in Miami and even in the 50's no one paid attention to the white after Memorial Day "rule." Although I do remember ladies wearing little white cotton gloves when they went out! —Marcia