I love my white pants. I LOVE my white capris. White shorts you say? Well, count me in for those too!
After Labor Day, I have always put them aside. It’s not something I even really gave much thought to… it’s just what you do! You wait until Easter and pop those bad boys out once again. It seemed like just yesterday it was the Thursday before Easter and we had a lively, daring conversation for a girl’s night out of which the subject was who was going to break out those white pants first…would we be wearing them to tacos at La Cantina before Easter?
Well, a few of us talked a big game and then none of us dared to do it. Ha! Aren’t we just all bark no bite?
When Labor Day finally came around, I jumped on the “mandatory” I-must-post-something-about-this-holiday bandwagon as follows:
Whoa, baby. That opened a can of worms!
So, I went on a little researching rampage… why are white pants even a thing?! Well let’s check it out in my over simplified data regurgitation of a 13 day Google fest.
Let’s start here: Labor Day became an official Federal Holiday in the year 1894 and thus became the end of summer marker we know today.
Now here’s where it gets interesting…
One group was off vacationing in what some would say were the more traditional, light in weight and light in color summer fabrics (think linen). Upon returning from their vacation homes, they returned to their more traditional wardrobes. No more white after Labor Day, as your “white” clothes were stored in your vacation home. There wasn’t much thinking about it; you just simply said “Okay, time to go home” and you met your fall wardrobe back at the house… your main house that is.
Upon observing the clothing habits of those above, another group emerged that was described as wanting to distinguish themselves from “new money.” This group followed the no white pants rule regardless of whether or not they were actually away at a vacation home with/without additional wardrobes. This resulted in a society made fashion faux pas to differentiate one group from another. Rather silly but it’s real history. It’s a great day and time to be alive, wouldn’t you agree? You can wear pants, no pants, hammer pants… it’s all okay!
Now while all of that was happening (the “we actually have separate wardrobes” and the “you-can’t-dress-like-us groups”) a group was emerging as a separate entity all the while continuing normal fashion life in the more Northern industrial states as fashion historians describe it. They were just doing their thing you guys. This group was around items like coal, machinery or environmental factors including snow that would create an often muddy mixture and boy, these things sure doesn’t look too fabulous on long white pants. Clearly, avoiding mud and dirt in the Southern states was a necessity too! We just happened to wear slightly different styles because of the local climates (think shorts). For instance, you will more than likely be wearing pants longer in a calendar year in Flint, Michigan than in Key West, Florida. In my opinion, I do think this group has a very strong argument to this day: avoid extra laundry. Am I right?!
Over years and years the traditions, stigma, beliefs and just general concern for laundry have trickled down to our current time merging a little of all of the above together. I would consider most of those who still follow the white pants rules to be traditionalist, of whom I would consider a great deal of people I know and love. Clearly, I would consider myself a traditionalist. Ultimately, until I went on one very cumbersome Google search of all things white pants I had no idea why I didn’t wear white after Labor Day or before Easter but it was very much engrained in my normal fashion thoughts.
It probably is not all too helpful for the white pants saga (no one tell them I think this of them), but I believe white is not the most flattering color on my body; black clothes make me feel my best. (I must specify that a great fit, no matter the color, is best for anyone and everyone! Nothing can replace confidence!) I do display them in my closet because I just adore how clean and crisp and lovely they are on a hanger. And white shorts, well they stand the best chance with me because there’s less overall fabric. Mom shorts, mmmkay? So… sorry white pants, you just have spare moments of glory for me.
Interesting enough, I don’t remember ever hearing my mother or grandmother outright say not to wear the white and it has had me at quite the loss to pinpoint where exactly I even learned not to do such… Much like other traditions I have and I’m not too exactly sure why: my curtains must pool on the floor, you never gift a wallet or handbag without a coin or bill for good luck, you do not place a handbag on the floor (or you’ll lose all of your money), wear closed toed shoes in the office, and a gaggle of others I’m starting to wonder where they came from, if they’re actually a tradition, piece of advice, or my preference.
After all of this, I found myself in the dressing room of Target trying on winter white pants. I bought them. I cannot wear them past the front door. I probably won’t take the tags off. (I’ll divulge on that another time.) I did wear white shorts yesterday and I had the self confidence of an armadillo entering a bowling tournament: they have no thumbs. Just let me roll away from that one.
Strike.
Anyway, I wish you the freedom to wear whatever you feel your best in… white pants or not… any day of the year. Perhaps one day I shall too; there’s no reason not to.
.){kind=link}