Thursday, April 12, 2012

The Great White Debate


A while ago, I asked Summer Wind readers on the Summer Wind Facebook page if they do white before Memorial Day. Here was the response:
Most of you said that you wear white after Easter and absolutely no one said that they follow the "rule". I think that this is an interesting thing to debate. I personally have always followed the "rule" of wearing white only between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Quite honestly, I think that it is because before I went to college, I was in Pittsburgh and sometimes it would even snow on my birthday (April 14). So it really didn't make sense to wear white. However, being in the south, and having such gorgeous weather all of the time, it only seems right to wear my white pants. But I haven't... yet. Something is still holding me back and I think it is the tradition of the rule. I am big on tradition and rules and don't like to break them, however, I think that this is one that I am going to start to break.

I have decided that I am going to start wearing my white after Easter. It just makes sense here in the warmer climates. I am going to start small by just wearing white pants, but the closer it gets to Memorial Day, I am going to start sporting my white dresses as well. Check out my past posts on white here and here!
It doesn't help that Town and Country thinks that no one follows the rule anymore either...
"There used to be rules of dress. White was to be worn strictly in the months between Memorial and Labor Days. No one pays attention to any of that anymore, but there is no denying that the first appearance of a white lace sundress..." -Town and Country, May 2012
Have you worn your whites yet? Are you a rule follower or do you like to take a fashion risk every once in a while?  Comment away! I am so interested to hear all opinions on the matter! Have a fabulous day!
Yours,
sCe

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

When it hit 80 degrees in CT a few weeks ago, I decided it was more than appropriate to sport white pants. Some people have a difficult time pulling off white pants, but I say, wear 'em if you look good in them.

As for a white dress, that all depends on the weather. If it's still chilly (which it is), I wouldn't go there quite yet.

Robin said...

Growing up in New York I would wait until after Memorial Day for the same reason, it's still freezing! I moved to D.C. for college and picked up the after Easter rule because the weather was so beautiful. However, no matter how nice it is, I would never wear white before Easter...it just doesn't feel right!

JR Mazur said...

I'm usually a rule follower, but this year it seems all bets are off. I live in NY and I saw a girl wearing white jeans back in February...so I say do what makes you happy!

Southern Sass said...

SO glad you posted this, I was just thinking about this the other day! I love white but am never sure what rules to go by anymore.

My Life as A Plate said...

I totally agree with you. Growing up in the North we always followed "the rule" but after going to college in the South it was hard not wear white. I now start slowly with white skinnies after easter and slowly progress to white dresses and white flats and heels around Memorial Day.

Madilene Lake said...

Interesting post! Growing up in Georgia, I was always told that the rule was between Labor Day and Easter. But definitely in the south it's easier to get away with! :)

Emily said...

Being from the south I have found that people either really follow the rule or they just don't. Personally, I wear white after Easter, but like you I don't pull out everything (like white dresses) until Memorial day usually. I love to get all the wear I can from my white pants/shorts/skirts! :-)

Preps Know Best said...

So glad you wrote a post on this! I have been struggling with this recently as well. Living in Virginia (as you know) the weather can be 80's one day and 50's the next! I have been very hesitant to wear white pants and white sandals and haven't quite committed yet either. I guess when it is consistently warm, I will start bringing them out. I like the Easter and Labor Day rule because I love white pants. The longer I get to wear them, the better!

Whitney said...

This year, white is so in so I say don't pay attention to the rules! I actually don't own any white pants/dresses (GASP!) so I don't have trouble, but I've never been much of a rule-follower anyway :)

Lainey said...

I live in the south, Charleston to be exact, and it has always been my understanding that white is acceptable Easter Sunday through Labor Day. In Charleston there is even a seersucker parade to mark the beginning of white, seersucker, lilly pulitzer season. The only thing I would have a hard time wearing before Memorial Day would be linen. Down here it has already been 90 degrees some days. Those are the days I would find it acceptable. Other days, like today, are chilly and I wouldn't want to be sporting white anyway.
:)

Kelly said...

I've been hesitant to bust the white out too - but I don't think I can wait for memorial day!

Melissa said...

I actully don't wear much white (with the exception of shirts, sometimes), so I feel the rule doesn't apply to me.

I'm too mesy of a person to wear white (or any light colour for that matter)!

SHF said...

I live in Canada and we can get snow and cold weather as late as May! I've always stuck to "the rule" because of the weather. I can't wait to start wearing white once the weather warms up!

SHF
thechroniclesofs.blogspot.com

Carley said...

I don't follow the rules to closely. It has already been in the 90s here in Texas. We are wearing white jeans and shorts!!

Anonymous said...

My friend and I were just talking about this a few days ago! I am in the same boat as you as far as the "growing up in the north but then moving south" thing...and it just seems so weird to me to wear white before Memorial Day!

Grace said...

I usually don't care, haha; I don't really own that much white anyway other than shorts!

Claire said...

I wanted to weigh in on this yesterday but had wifi troubles! I wear white jeans regardless of the date and depending on the temperature! But in terms of white pants (not jeans), dresses, and whatnot I cannot bring myself to break the rule! Same goes for seersucker of course! My newest pair of shorts are the buttercup in white seersucker- deadly combo for rule breaking haha! Can't wait to see if you branch out!

Crazy Shenanigans-JMO said...

Usually I go with how the weather is!

Shimmer 'N Faith said...

I wore a white cardigan on easter, but no white pants yet. I do follow the rules for the most part. I think some pieces in white are ok all year around, but some are not.

Anonymous said...

I'm from North Carolina and I say after Easter its okay to wear white pants and seersucker but I absolutely will not wear white after Memorial Day, even though it's still warm. I wait a little after Easter for white dresses though.

Angela Duke said...

See, my whole life I grew up hearing you start wearing white/seersucker, etc. on Easter!! Maybe it's just a southern thing, but why not?!

Angela Duke said...

See, my whole life I grew up hearing you start wearing white/seersucker, etc. on Easter!! Maybe it's just a southern thing, but why not?!

Anonymous said...

I grew up in Virginia and my mama made sure I followed the "Memorial Day to Labor Day" rule with both white and seersucker. But I can remember going down to Georgia and Florida during spring break and then the rule was relaxed for Easter. I honestly think that the after Easter rule applies anywhere south of maybe North Carolina because the weather does change pretty dramatically.

 

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