http://www.care2.com/greenliving/go-ahead-wear-white.html
Go Ahead, Wear White
Valerie Steele from the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology notes that in the late 19th century as more people were entering the middle classes, these newly rich were often unaware of the standards of high society, so they were given specific codified rules to follow in order to fit in–possibly the origin of the tenet not to wear white after Labor Day.
No one seems to know for certain where the edict came from. All I know is that I, for one, love to wear white all late-summer, winter, and early spring. Call me unable to follow the rules to fit into high society, call me a Miss Manners disobeyer, I like white.
Now here’s the rub, I have been avoiding white through all four seasons: I live in a very wonderful but very dirty city; I have two children under the age of 7; I have three dogs; I don’t use bleach. But I’m nothing if not determined. So armed with the following stain-removing tips, this year I intend to forge on through the next few dirty seasons, in my best winter whites and with a sassy shrug to Emily Post.
How to remove laundry stains.
How to remove grass stains.
How to remove berry stains.
How to remove chocolate stains.
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11 comments
add your comment »Yes I'll go along with that, I hate black and all winter coats seem to be black or white, I'll be proud of my dogs' muddy paw prints and wear white this winter (I wear loads of bright red during the rest of the year as it clashes with my hair so wonderfully)!
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Ever since I moved from the States to Europe, I find the fact that I've ever stressed about the "no white after Labor Day rule" at all: Here, Labor Day is May 2nd, therefore, there is nothing resembling that "rule" at all. People wear white whenever they want to, anytime of the year, without giving it a second thought.
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Nothing is more elegant than a pair of jeans that fits perfectly (no matter the brand), nice sandals, bare-naked makeup, small gold or silver hoops, and a fitted, white but plain top. Trust me, people will wonder if you are someone famous and bet you're a millionaire.
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Once I lived in a small community that had a mystery woman. She was in her late 60's I'd guess. Tall thin; beautiful flowing grey hair and always dressed completely in white 365 days a year. For years we wondered why, but no one seemed to know her and no one asked. Many years went by and we heard that she could only wear white for the simple reason she was allergic to dyes. Mystery solved! After that we would occasionally see her wearing a beautiful scarf ofer a thick fall white turtleneck or over her white coat. I often thought how simple laundry day must be for her- no sorting at all.
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I once lived in a community where a very lovely and graceful woman only wore white for all seasons. It was a mystery to every one for years. finally some brave soul got up the nerve to ask her why. The answer was so simple. She was allergic to dyes.
After that time we would occasionally see her wearing a colorful scarf over a tutle neck sweater in the fall or a coat in the winter. I thought how it must have simplified her laundry. Nothing to sort!
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White can look stunning on some peeps, but not me sadly...I can't keep it clean for 5 minutes and it washes my pale skin right out...so i never wear it. I'm a girl with a passion for purple.
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White is my favorite and I wear it nearly every day. I also like soft or cheery colors but almost never black or dark colors. I don't care what 'high society' says. If it does not hurt anyone, express yourself and wear what makes you happy!
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Well I was just commenting today that because of Hurricane Gustav and all the commotion around here (still have no power) I am still carrying my white summer purse after Labor Day!
Glad to hear it's considered okay fashionwise. (Although I do like putting it away in Sept. and looking forward to bringing it out in late May. In my head, and only in my head, I still make snide comments about women who wear white shoes after Labor Day.)
It's hard to get out of 55 years of ingrained habits!
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White is right! I drive a white car, too.
But as a Personal Stylist I see that white can be added to any wardrobe, or daily wear with panache!
A purse in white is great (everyone should have one) and can add the shade very complimentary to any look you have that day-of course you must use your imagination to bring it all together. And when you wear it, if it's a preference-it brings about a feeling of pure, clean and fresh.
Yes, forget about no white after Labor Day.
Thank you for your story.
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I have three dogs too. Hugely helpful! Thanks!!!
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