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For those of you who regularly read this column, last month I began an exploration of the fashion myth related to wearing white between Memorial Day and Labor Day. I went to fashion magazine web sites, corresponded with fashion editors of newspapers, and surveyed anyone who would pay any sort of attention to my silly question.

Interestingly enough, the remarkable librarians on the “Stumpers List” were most helpful. Many thanks to Ruth Schooley, Daphne Drewello, and Charlotte Sanders. Responses came from across the country and I sincerely thank all who responded and put somewhat of an end to my inane search!

What I did find out was that this seemingly unimportant fashion dictate is referred to in books, magazines, movies and television. It is well recognized and seems to have no source and little, if any justification. However, to quote one of the librarians, “I could not help but notice the passionate tones and religious language of many of the articles that mentioned this fashion faux pas.”

The common discovery was that this original fashion rule seemed to focus on shoes. While white shirts are certainly seasonless, it seems that white suits, dresses, coats, and skirts have also been included in this accepted fashion dictate. And apparently, an ex-supermodel declaring it to no longer be so on a Staples commercial is still not enough. Miss Manners includes this fashion faux pas in her 10 Commandments. “Number 7: Never wear white shoes between Labor Day and Memorial Day (No, not even in Florida).” Style writer Barbara Nachman included the white shoe no-no on her list of Fashion’s Seven Deadly Sins. Neither provided any explanation.

The best and most logical explanation appeared in an article written in the Chicago Tribune last December. Nancy Penn, an image consultant, explained that there was a practical reason for not wearing white shoes after Labor Day. “Black absorbs heat, so it’s actually warmer, which is why it’s more traditional in colder climates (hence darker coats and shoes in winter). White, on the other hand, reflects light and heat, and is usually cooler.”

My dear friend, Ellen, suggested something similar. She pondered that it may have originated in Europe many hundreds of years ago. Her musings included the explanation that in the colder, rainier weather white would become soiled easily. In the warmer days, which witnessed less rain, white clothing/ shoes could stay cleaner longer. I do not know if she made that up or not, but it was remarkably logical compared to some explanations!

Believe it or not, there is a book written called, A Southern Belle Primer, or Why Princess Margaret Will Never Be A Kappa Kappa Gamma. Written by Maryln Schwartz (NO RELATIVE – I ASSURE YOU!) and published by Doubleday in 1991, this is the description of the book:

“Schwartz, born in Mobile, Alabama, discusses the rules every Southern belle learns from birth. In the South, where one’s roots are everything, a true belle would never think of breaking the code. She would never wear white shoes after Labor Day, put dark meat in her chicken salad, and never marry a man whose mother owns silver plate, and not real silver.”

I can only hope that the book is a spoof and if any of you dear readers has read it, please let us know! However, one of the librarians from Alabama wrote, “In the South it is considered extremely trashy and common. I’m sure there are several women in Birmingham I know who cheered secretly in their own hearts when Kathleen Turner beat the juror, Patty Hearst, to death with a phone because she unapologetically continued to wear white shoes (“Oh, you don’t have to follow those rules anymore!”) after Labor Day in the sick/wonderful John Waters movie, Serial Mom.”

Perhaps it is humor that best explains all fashion dictates. Certainly, there is little fact. Clothing, by its very nature should provide us with shelter from the elements. The “rules” came along later as people clamored for attention and status. In a time when the day-to-day news is often too serious to comprehend, such silliness can give us a reprieve. And perhaps, as inane as it seems, it is the use of color to welcome various seasons that provides us with visual clues that trigger wonderful memories such as fresh summer breezes and bright, white shoes. The point of this article is simply that we need not take ourselves so seriously that we miss the humor and beauty that life offers.

So while I do not offer any great knitting advise this month, I do remind you to surround yourself with those people and things that you love. Laugh at the silliness and for goodness sake…

Knit, crochet, or weave like crazy!

Sue...who will not be researching any more fashion questions in the near future!!!