In one day, I was both criticized and complemented on the same item. A couple weeks ago, I found myself wearing a pair of very trendy white flats on a nice March afternoon. A friend of mine comes by, a conservative woman in her mid 30’s, and cannot believe that I am wearing white shoes in the winter season. I tell her that it is 2006 and the traditional rules of fashion no longer apply. After debating the issue for ten minutes, we dropped the subject and left for the mall so that I could help her find an outfit for a fundraiser event she planned to attend.

We have all been told by our mothers or grandmothers that it is not appropriate to wear white between Labor Day and Memorial Day. But, time brings change and it is time that we realize what worked in the 1950’s and 1960’s is not going to work in 2006.

While shopping in the mall, we pass a nicely dressed sales associate who tells me that she adores my shoes. She asked me if I bought them nearby and I told her that I bought them in New York. My friend then tells me that I am the only person who would get a complement wearing white shoes after Labor Day. Those of us who are more fashion forward push the limits of traditional fashion guidelines. My friend was not happy, and she was even more upset when a well dressed, attractive, young woman walked over and complimented me on my white shoes.

My friend conceded to let go of some of her traditional fashion ideals, namely the one that says “no white after labor day.”I am an advocate of wearing white whenever the desire is upon me. Of course I would never take the chance on ruining my precious shoes in the rain or slush, but you may see me in a pair of white pumps or trendy white flats on a clear day year round.