Remember that silly little fashion "rule" about never, ever wearing white after Labor Day? Well, look at us now. Pantone recently announced "cloud dancer," a very particular shade of white balancing cool and warm undertones, as the 2026 color of the year and our favorite celebrities have been stepped out in all white looks all fall long. "Similar to a blank canvas, Cloud Dancer signifies our desire for a fresh start," Pantone Color Institute Vice President Laurie Pressman said. "Peeling away layers of outmoded thinking, we open the door to new approaches."
This has us thinking: where did that outdated rule about wearing white post-Labor Day even come from? And why did some us play into it?
This is the commonly accepted theory: the "rule" originated in the 19th century as a way of displaying social status. In the summer months, when the upper class retreated to their country houses, they would opt for lightweight linens and seersucker fabrics to combat the scorching sun—often in white. The first day of September (labor day) marked the end of their summer vacations and extra leisurely lifestyles, they would return to their main residences, and of course had to communicate this through their choice of clothing. It was a sort of re-establishment and a way of flexing their extensive wardrobes—the ability to reinvent oneself based on dates, seasons, and locations was and still is a major way of demonstrating wealth.
Courtesy of Alaia
Courtesy of Gucci
Courtesy of Chanel
While status is still communicated through clothing—which designers one has the means to splurge on, how much one can spend on curating a vacation wardrobe that perfectly complements the setting, etc.—it's not necessarily happening in the same way that it did back in the late 19th century and early 20th century. We, as a collective, have come to the understanding that there are no rules in fashion and that ones reserving specific colors for specific calendar dates are particularly silly—and this collective realization is a good thing.
Balenciaga Fall 2025
Courtesy of Balenciaga
Acne Studios Fall 2025
Courtesy of Acne Studios
Balenciaga Fall 2025
Courtesy of Balenciaga
Fall/Winter 2025-26 runways were huge encouragers of winter whites: Balenciaga and Alaïa both with a series of white coats, Gucci's white suiting, and Chanel's classic styles and silhouettes in white, for example. These looks included furs to create and textures to create dimension, pristine tailoring, and built-in accessories like scarves and belts. These looks work because they bring lightness to an otherwise dull and dreary time where it feels like days are darker for longer than they are bright. White looks work as a contrast against snow and dark exteriors just as they worked as a contrast against dark runways.
In November, Demi Moore, Mandy Moore, Haider Ackerman, Chloe Fineman, and Ciara (with a luxe white fur coat on top) all wore all-white suits and since then the fall and winter whites way after labor day have felt pretty non-stop. So, is it time to make a case for the all-white look again? We think so!
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