“Can you PLEASE explain some of the crazy what-you-can’t-wear rules that seem to flare up after Labor Day. Like, is it really against the rules to break out my white pants or pumps in September? I love white and this really restricts my wardrobe–especially in the early fall months! Help!” –Vallery
For this one we went to one of the expertiest experts on the matter, Ken Downing, Neiman Marcus Fashion Director.
“Before Easter, after Labor Day, the old rules no longer ring true. White is a 365 day-a-year proposal! Keep the fabrications appropriate to the season and you will always be chic.”
*Note: “Fabrications” are the key here. Think about your choice of cotton, linen, wool, silk, etc. If the material is season-friendly, you’ll likely be fine.
There you have it.
Need help solving a style and beauty mystery. Ask us here. I’ll get it solved.
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What about white shoes?
[...] Ahem. Moving on. The Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and ZZ Top concert happens tonight at Superpages.com Center. If you find yourself screeching along to “Refugee,” “Don’t Come Around Here No More,” and “She’s Got Legs,” I’m confident you won’t be the only one. If you prefer your music with a tad less gray, however, you might want to check out Far East Movement at Aura. This should be a high-energy show, if “Like a G6” is any indication, and you’re likely to be surrounded by a lot of overly groomed dancing folk, so be sure to load up on Red Bull and hair gel before you go. And if you’re wondering whether you can wear your white patent-leather hot pants tonight, the answer is yes! [...]
Unless you’re going to walk around with a sign that states “Ken Downing says I can wear white” I wouldn’t do it. There are many people around who think it is a major faux pas, old-fashioned or not.
@katherine
Unless they’re tennis shoes, you should probably skip them.
@TLS
That is precisely why I’ve posted this. Out with nonsense “faux pas,” and in with the truth!
white pumps? GAH. white is for casual shoes. not dressy-ish ones. stick with taupe for a neutral in those cases.
Who cares? I’m from Florida, and I say wear white if you want to. Obviously don’t throw on a white sundress, but I think white jeans are absolutely appropriate in the early fall and late spring months. It’s not a major “faux pas” anymore.
Raya, no, that’s a bunch of Yankee nonsense. I bet you wear flip-flops to the office, don’t you?
Ken Downing, Neiman Marcus Fashion Director, is full of crap.
@no
Yes. I wear a Snuggie with nothing underneath, as well.
On a serious note, let’s take a look at designers’ collections for fall/winter 2010, shall we? Mr. Downing may not have your confidence, Charm Offensive, but, perhaps one of these fashion houses will. As for white post-Labor Day:
Balenciaga OKs it. http://www.style.com/fashionshows/complete/slideshow/F2010RTW-BALENCIA/
Chanel OKs it.
http://www.style.com/fashionshows/complete/slideshow/F2010RTW-CHANEL?event=show2062&designer=design_house22&trend=&iphoto=19
Karl Lagerfeld OKs it.
http://www.style.com/fashionshows/complete/slideshow/F2010RTW-KLAGERFELD?event=show2062&designer=design_house979&trend=&iphoto=23
Oscar de la Renta OKs it.
http://www.style.com/fashionshows/complete/slideshow/F2010RTW-ODLRENTA?event=show2062&designer=design_house78&trend=&iphoto=5
Carolina Herrera OKs it.
http://www.style.com/fashionshows/complete/slideshow/F2010RTW-CHERRERA?loop=0&event=show2062&designer=design_house17&iphoto=30&play=false&cnt=3
A bunch of Yankees out to make people look stupid. Don’t buy into it, folks. Follow the rules and keep life simple.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Lauren Benson, Jenna Tuttle, Erica M. Martinez, Laura Kirwan, Lisa Hopkens and others. Lisa Hopkens said: Neiman Marcus' Ken Downing Says Yes to White After Labor Day …: Home & Garden. Contractors · Electricians · Blog… http://bit.ly/cTVF3P [...]
[...] Ahem. Moving on. The Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and ZZ Top concert happens tonight at Superpages.com Center. If you find yourself screeching along to “Refugee,” “Don’t Come Around Here No More,” and “She’s Got Legs,” I’m confident you won’t be the only one. If you prefer your music with a tad less gray, however, you might want to check out Far East Movement at Aura. This should be a high-energy show, if “Like a G6” is any indication, and you’re likely to be surrounded by a lot of overly groomed dancing folk, so be sure to load up on Red Bull and hair gel before you go. And if you’re wondering whether you can wear your white patent-leather hot pants tonight, the answer is yes! [...]
[...] the white linen pants, but, in general, white is absolutely acceptable after Labor Day. Remember we talked about this last year? We’re reopening the conversation with some of Dallas’ expertiest fashion [...]