For most Americans, Labor Day signals two things: An extended weekend and the end of summer. Kids, if they have not already, return to school, family vacations come to an end, and white shoes, tops, hats and pants are stored away to make way for darker, more fall friendly colors.A SHOE SENSATION: “I adore Ms. Parker,” Blahnik revealed during a May 2009 interview with VOGUE.COM. “The character she played has had such a role in my career – I cannot help but regard both of them as muses! I adore cinema generally and a large chunk of my collections is inspired by it. It could be a character, a scene, or just the spirit of a movie. I watch them all night long.”
Carrie Bradshaw (played by actress Sarah Jessica Parker) of Sex in the City fame had a love affair with Manolo Blahnik heels, and her affliction toward the luxury pumps made the already popular brand ever more so desired by fans of the popular HBO series.
While the origin of “no white after Labor Day” as a fashion rule varies depending on who you ask (some say it was an attempt by the wealthy to separate themselves from the lower class, others believe white garments simply do not agree with cool fall and harsh winter weather), most fashion fans believe rules are meant to be broken. Fashion is a form of self-expression, and if white helps establish your personal fashion statement, go for it!You’d be hard-pressed to find a film in now in theaters that doesn’t incorporate some element of brand promotion. Maybe the hero or heroine of the current big budget action flick whips out an iPhone to tell the president he’s got the situation “under control.” Maybe the female lead in the next romantic comedy speeds off in the latest Mini Cooper. The point is, companies know that audiences follow more than the story when watching a film: There also absorbing brands.
It’s should come as a surprise to no one that popular fashion has been highly influenced by cinema. From yesteryear, to years not so … yesterly, here are a few moments at the movies that have had an impact on popular style:
1) THE BREAKTHROUGH BREAKFAST: From the jewelry to the unforgettable scenes to the wardrobe, the 1961 film adaptation of Truman Capote’s novella Breakfast at Tiffany’s not only catapulted Audrey Hepburn into Hollywood superstardom, but made Coco Chanel’s little black dress a fashion necessity for women around the world.
2) PLAYING WITH FIRE: Being fashionable and evil is not easy task, but Meryl Streep pulls off a devilishly fantastic performance as overbearing fashion magazine editor Miranda Priestly in the 2006 comedy-drama The Devil Wears Prada. Full of fashion, humor and heart, this film is a must-see for lovers of great cinema and equally great style.
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Lashley, founder of Creatively Speaking, a Baltimore-based public speaking company specializing in fashion commentary, recently shared a similar regard: In the August Baltimore Sun piece titled, “This Season, Designers Give You Carte Blanche To Wear White After Labor Day,” Lashley gave tips on how to make a white post-Labor Day outfit shine.
“The color white works on most skin types and always reads ‘pure, timeless’ and always comes across chic if you know how to pull it off,” Lashley said. “White is a great transitional color that crosses seasons seamlessly. Break the rules — wear white trousers with a navy blazer or pair white jeans with a jewel tone. Wearing white after Labor Day is like wearing black to a wedding. Everyone is afraid to do it, but you will stand out in a good way if it’s done right.”
And there you have it – you now have permission to break the archaic rule of no white after Labor Day. While it may take time for many of us to get used to this new way of thinking, here’s to our children’s children: Who will never have known a world where they were persecuted for their fashion beliefs.
