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Is there a stigma attached to wearing white trousers before Memorial Day and after Labor Day? Is wearing white before Memorial Day OK? I’m going to a party tonight and Memorial Day is tomorrow, can I wear white trousers?

–J.W., Newport, RI

Winter white is a wonderful color to wear in cooler weather for a sweater or scarf. In the northeast it isn’t usually warm enough to wear white jeans, chinos, linen trousers or white diner jacket, before June 1st.

There are many shades of white, the whiter the white the warmer the climate. Save your brightest white trousers for daytime and wear cream colored and off-white trousers after six o’clock.

Like all trousers, whites should break below the ankles. It’s especially essential with white trousers because you don’t always wear socks with your loafers in hot weather. Not everyone wants to see your gnarly, hairy ankles.

White trousers go best with loafers and not tie shoes, and look even more distinguished with a blazer — even without a necktie.

Don’t wear white trousers if the temperature is below 65 degrees, because most white trousers don’t have a lining.

Nicholas Mele Photography at NLMphoto.com

~Didi