How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love Winter White
“You can’t wear white after Labor Day!” proclaimed John Waters’ Serial Mom, in which an unhinged suburbanite murders people for breaking social rules or committing the slightest faux pas. I was raised on this outdated rule but luckily, my childhood media addiction and near constant consumption of movies opened my mind and showed me the great wide world of winter white!
The historical fashion tenet that states white is a strictly summer color has practical and societal origins—white reflects the sun for optimal coolness on blistering summer days, but it’s also prone to all kinds of stains and ruin. White clothing, dating back to the 1930’s, was a sign of luxury. Old money WASPs fled to their summer homes—away from city grime—and thus their white clothes would stay immaculate. But once they returned to life in the city they retired their white clothing, setting the trend and birthing this piece of fashion gospel.
But, as the hapless juror who wore white shoes to Serial Mom’s trial argued, “Fashion has changed!” Winter white is all the rage! A sleek way to stand out and flip off a classist adage! As in life, so in art: here are some iconic winter white looks from film:
Feature image via.