Growing up in the South, my mother insisted that wearing white before Memorial Day or after Labor Day was basically the worst faux pas I could make when it came to my clothes. (The poor woman, of course, never anticipated the very unfortunate Salvation Army phase I went through during my mid-teen years).

I've often wondered how and why this anti-white tradition got started. In my mind, white, especially winter-white looks smashing against the traditional fall colors, shades like chocolate brown and aubergine. Actually, the closest I came a sensible explanation for this fashion rule was actually more of a pragmatic justification than anything else: because white reflects light and heat, wearing white would make you cooler in winter. (No way?!?) Thus, white should be avoided in the cooler months.

What do you think? Is white in winter – a do or a don't?