It's that time of year again, when clothes get thicker, hemlines (supposedly) get longer, and all of your white articles of clothing get packed away, never to be seen again until next year. Or is this really the case?
There has been a definite increase in the number of people who continue to wear white after Labor Day, causing many to believe that the old fashion rule of not wearing white after September is as tired as a pair of last year's Jordans.
In the fickle world of fashion, never has a color deemed unacceptable been so widely embraced. Designers such as Dolce and Gabbana, Armani, Chanel, and Versace, among many others, have crisp white staples in their fall/winter collections. Chain stores such as Gap, Old Navy, and Bebe carry white clothing in materials such as wool and 2-ply cotton, materials too thick to wear in summer. Furthermore, designers are coining terms such as "winter white" to make certain pieces of their collections stand out.
In addition, fashion magazines are jumping on this growing trend, calling people who "dare" to wear white after Labor Day innovative, creative, and bold. Slowly but surely, white is beginning to break free from its box, and is becoming acceptable to wear whenever one pleases.
With all of this talk about white after Labor Day, how does it affect the fashion-conscious people that attend Howard University? Does it even matter? Will wearing an all-white ensemble on the yard in the dead of winter generate compliments or criticism?
"Personally, I thought white was fine to wear, regardless of the season," said LaToya Pumphrey, a Sophomore Physician's Assistant major. "I'm from the Midwest, and I can't remember a time when it wasn't okay to wear white."
It seems the notion that it is unacceptable to wear White after Labor Day is quickly becoming outdated. Additionally, this notion, while considered outmoded by Howard females, barely concerns Howard men.
When approached with the question of whether white was acceptable after Labor Day, Michael wrinkled his face in confusion. "I honestly have never heard about that rule, ever, until right now," he said. "In terms of fashion, wear what you like, whenever you like, and you'll be fine"
The general consensus seems to be that white is alright, whenever you choose to wear it. Finally, the color white receives the recognition it deserves, throughout the year. As a note, while wearing white, take care to remember that it attracts all kinds of unsightly splotches and stains, so make sure to eat and drink carefully. Have fun and stand out in white!
