It was just a couple of years ago when I first came to learn the rule: no wearing white jeans after Labor Day! I never questioned it, as I just saw it as the status quo, something that everyone listened to and adapted their wardrobes around. At the same time though, I was really sad to see them find their way to the bottom shelf in hopes of reemerging come springtime.

Curious to uncover the roots of this so called “rule” I went searching for answers. Everyone loves a little blast from the past! So apparently the wealthy women back in the late 1800's and early 1900s found it difficult to tell the difference between people with old money and respectable families, and those who only had new money. Their solution for the problem? Create various fashion rules that everyone “in the know” had to follow. One of these rules was wearing white once the summer months came to a close.

Now that the history lesson is over, let me share some thoughts on this oh-so-intelligent solution. Some of the most integral parts of our society have been built upon the rules and rights crafted by those in the late 1700's, as documented in our Constitution. However, with time comes change and over the past two centuries, we have seen additions and amendments to the rules in place. I am just left to ask, why hasn’t anything been changed about this ban on wearing white? Labor day is held on the first Monday of September, a time when many students are returning back to school and college kids move back into the sweltering cinderblock box they have the pleasure of calling home for the academic year. Although Labor Day often marks the end of summer for students, it is far from the end of summer in the seasonal calendar. In fact, we have about three weeks left, give or take a week depending on when Labor Day falls on any given year, before we officially embark on the autumnal season, bringing out our riding boots, sweaters, and field jackets. The month of September is a far cry from the weather we endure come October. Days of sunshine and warm temperatures are character for the first month of the school year and make for the perfect white jeans weather. It is not too hot, so pants are more than appropriate, but it is hot enough, where a darker wash would absorb the heat from the sun’s beaming rays.

Logistically, it makes more than enough sense to wear white jeans after the mark of Labor Day. So, I ask you to join me in rebelling against this overdue fashion rule and embrace the versatile and classic look that white jeans bring to your wardrobe, even through the month of September.