White Bucks after Labor Day?
I recently posed a simple question to my friends on social media: “White Bucks after Labor Day?” And I got a assortment of responses.
Etiquette maven Rachel Thomas Hale from Evangeline, Louisiana, simply replied, “Nope!”
But Oscar nominated globe-trotter Pud Cusack responded, “Always!”
Interior Designer and man-about-town Kirk Longmire of Houston quipped, “Yes, we live in the tropics. All bets are off!”
Head of men’s talent for Kim Dawson Agency and professional stylist Gerald Frankowski of Dallas advised, “In the South it can be done until mid to late September.”
While a friend from Jennings, Louisiana, Kelley Durham Carambat wondered, “My question has always been ‘Says who?’ “
Research on the subject yielded a myriad of explanations for such strict guidelines of wardrobe protocol. The most common explanation seemed to center around practicality. For centuries folks wore white and slip-covered furniture in the summer simply to stay cool. But as fall rolled around, facing heavy rain and cooler temperatures, the idea of sullying white clothing with mud was undesirable. Labor Day, which was not a recognized holiday until 1882, marked the traditional end of summer. The wealthy stowed their summer threads and furnished their closets with heavier, darker fall clothing.
As the middle class in America expanded, particularly in the 1950s, the customs calcified into unquestioned procedures. Old money and upwardly mobile propagated the customs, some surmise to divide the classes, or to increase odds of elevating social standing.
Karen Ancelet of Lafayette answered, “I know it’s still so hot around here after Labor Day, but rules are rules… I packed away all linen or seersucker shorts, pants, and capris until Easter.”
But in recent years the rules have been relaxed. The 2004 manners bible Emily Post’s Etiquette gives the thumbs-up for wearing white after Labor Day. But men’s southern fashion guru Sid Mashburn advises against it. According to a GQ article, “I won’t put them on before Memorial Day, and never after Labor Day.”
“The Navy authorizes the wear of ‘summer whites’ until at least the beginning of October,” replied US Naval officer Elizabeth Arledge of Norfolk, Virginia, “depending on your location. I vote that you are good until October 1.” (Now that sounds like the approval of the US government!)
Art muse Jenee Vallow Jergensen of Pearland, Texas, commented, “Your sister would say ‘No!’ But I’m wishy washy on the subject.”
So what did Sisterwoman Julie Boggio of Houston think about the subject? “If you have to ask then don’t do it.”
Seems that seasonal codes were concocted by the social elite with nothing better to do, at a time before we had Frank Billingsly and Click-2-Houston. And societal expectations are relaxed as we base our attire on the actual weather rather than a season. Undoubtedly I have already packed away my seersucker and madras for the season–no question about seersucker after Labor Day. But somehow I thought there might be a grey area concerning Bucks.
And now, due to the consensus, I will not flout convention and will bid adieu to my beloved Bucks until Easter.
Designer and Event Planner Steven Wagner of Houston had the last word. “White shoes only if you are pure, so sorry, Troy.”
But as always, your comments are welcome below! What do you think?