The question of whether or not you need to take every stitch of white clothing that you own and pack it away until Memorial Day rolls around again is one that seemingly will not be laid to rest. If you ask the bespoke tailor at Dallas’ Edward Baumann Clothiers, you will be set straight. Yes, it is perfectly fine to wear white after Labor Day. 

A crisp white shirt with a pair of custom jeans custom jeans is a classic look that works any time of year. You might not want to wear a white linen suit to the company Christmas party, but a chic custom-custom-made suite or custom sport coat in white wool – well, that’s a surefire way to make it on Santa’s nice list. 

The editors at Esquire agree. “Not wearing white after Labor Day is absurd. It never should’ve been a thing, and it definitely shouldn’t be one now,” they say. “Incorporating some subtle (and not-so-subtle!) hints of white into your regular rotation year round is never a bad move.” 

“It’s perfectly acceptable to wear white after Labor Day,” the Tailored Man says. “What you want to be careful about is what sort of white clothing you choose in the Fall and Winter months. If you are eyeing that short sleeve white dress shirt or a spring white jacket, don’t do it. Wear a sensible white suit or a white hat, even a long white waistcoat, but don’t make it look like you think it’s May.”

Even the arbiters of etiquette at The Emily Post Institute are on board. “Of course you can wear white after Labor Day,” they say. “It’s more about fabric choice today than color. Even in the dead of winter in northern New England the fashionable wear white wools, cashmeres, jeans, and down-filled parkas.” 

The only remaining question is whether or not you will be among “the fashionable” who will be wearing a white custom suit or a beautifully tailored white custom shirt with your custom-made jeans this winter.