“Why Can’t I Wear White After Labor Day and Other Fun Facts”

Dear Reader:

Shocker! I am not one of these models. (especially the second one) But we do have one thing in common…I love my white jeans and last week I found myself wearing them almost every day since I felt the presence of the death bell tolling the official ending of wearing white after Labor Day.

So I decided to check into this well-known cultural custom that has passed down from generation to generation and find out the truth of the origin of this practice While doing so  (Resource: Reader’s Digest) I discovered some other fun, interesting facts about Labor Day that I didn’t know. Hope you enjoy them too.

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*First of all no one really knows who started the idea of this holiday…some sources can narrow it down to about two people…perhaps…but even these sources are sketchy.

*Oregon was the first state to celebrate Labor Day in 1887. Go Oregon!

*President Grover Cleveland made it a national holiday but it was more about playing politics (trying to pacify railroad workers’ strikes concerning low wages than actually something good for all.)

*Canada came up with the idea before us….way to go Canada! They had the first Labor Day holiday.

*These days most schools start before Labor Day… with the exception of Virginia…no public or county school is allowed to start until after Labor Day…the reason? (You’ll be surprised)

*Many school districts around the country start classes before Labor Day, but in at least one state, such anti-delinquency is illegal. In 1986, Virginia passed the Kings Dominion Law, an actual on-the-books statute that prohibits city and county schools from starting before Labor Day weekend so families have one last chance to hit up popular theme parks like Busch Gardens and, yes, Kings Dominion. To answer your next question: Yes, there is an amusement park lobby, and yes, they may or may not have helped keep this law on the books by  donating 324 free park tickets to lawmakers between 2001 and 2013. So enjoy a roller coaster, Virginians. It’s the law.  

*Labor Day marks the official end of hot dog season which lasts from Memorial Day to Labor Day. During “hot dog season” in our country 818 hot dogs are consumed every second-approximately 7 billion for the entire season. (It is the pumpkin spice lattes that monopolize the consumer market in the fall)

*Having this three-day weekend could help you live longer…if you could have it every week. Health officials say people who work more than 55 hours per week have a 33% increased risk of strokes. (Working less than 40 hour weeks…people sleep better, pick fewer fights, and are more productive at work.)

*And now for the no white clothing after Labor Day…the real story of how that fashion statement began…

Ever wonder why you’re not supposed to wear white after Labor Day? The custom goes back to the end of the Civil War, when society was ruled by the wealthy wives of old-money elites. As more new-money millionaires entered society, the jealous old regime invented a whole suite of arbitrary fashion rules that only those in the in-crowd would know. Anyone who showed up to an autumn dinner party in a white dress, for example, would be instantly outed as a “nouveau riche” newbie and dismissed from the established ‘of the rich society.’

That tradition of not wearing white past summer has since trickled down through fashion magazines and into mainstream culture… even for those of us whose ideal dinner party garb is sweatpants. The good news is, most fashion experts (including the editor of Vogue magazine) agree that there’s no need to follow this elitist rule today.

*Yeah! Those white jeans are going back in the washing machine to get cleaned up for this week! 🙂 It is hard to give up a comfy pair of jeans…no matter what the color.

No more laboring on this post….just some photos to show you some of Mandy’s birthday party and good-bye-to-summer celebration. It was family, more family, and lots of laughs!

It started Saturday night when John and Mandy returned to their favorite restaurant “haunt’ where John proposed to Mandy…a special place. And now fast-forward their “double” blessings…

Yesterday the “gang” arrived and let the good times roll! There was a lot of dancing going on…and girls of summer were inside and outside.

Walsh and Tommy were kept busy throwing children up in the air for their 15 seconds of diver’s fame!

The gals with hats and scarves…  and bows!

Eloise stands her ground…even with a ‘triple threat’ of brothers and boy cousins. You go girl! (And what are you doing standing now…slow down my youngest one…a family should always have a baby around!)

So until tomorrow…I hope everyone has the day off today (it’s good for your health) so use it to make smiles and laughter.

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

*Happy “official” Birthday Mandy! You were a “labor” of love! Love you! Mom

About Becky Dingle

I was born a Tarheel but ended up a Sandlapper. My grandparents were cotton farmers in Laurens, South Carolina and it was in my grandmother’s house that my love of storytelling began beside an old Franklin stove. When I graduated from Laurens High School, I attended Erskine College (Due West of what?) and would later get my Masters Degree in Education/Social Studies from Charleston Southern. I am presently an adjunct professor/clinical supervisor at CSU and have also taught at the College of Charleston. For 28 years I taught Social Studies through storytelling. My philosophy matched Rudyard Kipling’s quote: “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” Today I still spread this message through workshops and presentations throughout the state. The secret of success in teaching social studies is always in the story. I want to keep learning and being surprised by life…it is the greatest teacher. Like Kermit said, “When you’re green you grow, when you’re ripe you rot.”
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12 Responses to “Why Can’t I Wear White After Labor Day and Other Fun Facts”

  1. Honey Burrell says:

    Wonderful pictures! So much fun!!! Happy Birthday to Mandy! Love you lotd❤️

  2. Jo Dufford says:

    Thanks for your information. I honestly didn’t realize we had that hot dog season. Bet tailgaters didn’t know either. The white thing certainly has been a part of my heritage, although I was never rich. (I correct that: I have always been rich in family, friends, love and blessings.) The pictures are wonderful. There is so much joy there. Eloise cannot be old enough to stand alone or to stand at all! It seems like yesterday we were guessing “girl” or “boy”.

    • Becky Dingle says:

      I know, I know…I can’t leave Eloise alone ten minutes or she is pulling something else on me….the little ones at the end of the litter always grow up too fast watching their older siblings and cousins play…they want to join in the fun too!

  3. bcparkison says:

    Happy Birthday Mandy! Looks like a fun time was had by all .Any time water is involved there is fun.
    Now about those white jeans. I read somewhere recently that us women after a certain age, don’t remember if it was 50 or 60 or what, shouldn’t even wear jeans. What!! Now who in their right mind will tell us country girls not to wear jeans..doesn’t matter what color. But I will say…I don’t like fake jeans. Real cotton is so much better and I just hate it that I now need the stretch kind. lol

    • Becky Dingle says:

      I will stretch with the best of ’em ….just give me my jeans! The most comfortable wins out ….regardless of color or size. Hope you and your family are having a fun Labor Day.

  4. Rachel Edwards says:

    Oh, what fun y’all had on Labor Day. The children are growing up too fast. Eloise can already stand with a little help…wow! Happy Birthday to Mandy. I will be dropping by soon for a visit. Miss you.

  5. Patty Knight says:

    Love the info on Labor Day and the wearing of white… The pictures of your family always make me smile! Happy Birthday to sweet Mandy!!
    Going to wear the white until …. I feel fall coming. We are not there yet. I read your Race for the Cure post and You have supported the cause and others above and beyond. Love you,sweet precious friend.
    PK

    • Becky Dingle says:

      So great to hear from you Patty! I was thinking that if Kristen is still participating this year and fund-raising for the Race for the cure… that if she has a link to her information she would like to share I would be more than happy to put it on the blog for anyone interested….just let me know.

  6. Patty Knight says:

    🌸🎀💕💪🏻Attention ladies! 💪🏻💕🎀🌸Tickets are now available for our 1st annual “Give Cancer the Boot” fundraiser on Thursday, October 4 at Fountain Inn First Baptist Church. Doors will open at 6 with a silent auction and dinner. Program will begin at 7 and tickets are $12 a piece. Please contact me or the church if you’d like to purchase some or make a donation for our silent auction. ALL proceeds will be going directly to The Pearlie Harris Breast Health Center in Greenville. Looking forward to seeing you all soon! 🌸🎀💕💪🏻

  7. Patty Knight says:

    🌸🎀💕💪🏻Attention ladies! 💪🏻💕🎀🌸Tickets are now available for our 1st annual “Give Cancer the Boot” fundraiser on Thursday, October 4 at Fountain Inn First Baptist Church. Doors will open at 6 with a silent auction and dinner. Program will begin at 7 and tickets are $12 a piece. Please contact me or the church if you’d like to purchase some or make a donation for our silent auction. ALL proceeds will be going directly to The Pearlie Harris Breast Health Center in Greenville. Looking forward to seeing you all soon! 🌸🎀💕💪🏻

    Becky, This is what Kristen is working on this year at her church. It is on her FB page. Would love for you and your friends join us. You are more than welcome to come stay with us .

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