Three Tips To Make Summer Garden Party Attire Work After Labor Day

• Arbitrary wardrobe rules around color no longer exist, so wear white summer garden party attire whenever you want
• There are still ways to adapt your white to the cozier seasons, though
• Use the right patterns and proper shoes to establish what is garden party attire

Once upon a time, a well-meaning grandmother probably informed you that you couldn’t wear white after Labor Day. It was unbecoming of a lady, after all, to sport such a garish shade in the winter months.

Well, no offense to grandma, but it’s an antiquated rule, gone the way of black-and-white television, rotary phones, and Blockbuster video stores.

Nowadays, that summer garden party attire can stay at the front of your closet all year round. This is especially true if you live in a warmer climate where celebrations take place outside late into the year.

So, if you’re searching for what to wear to a garden party after Labor Day, no fear, the options for a garden party chic dress code are bountiful.

The New Rules

The official rule, as it was once written in the Book of Meddling Aunts, stated that white wasn’t to be worn until after Easter, a time associated with a clean slate and refresh; then it would be put away after Labor Day, kept safe until the following spring when it became summer garden party attire again.

Those timelines don’t exist anymore. We naturally tend to favor moody, darker colors as the calendar dips into fall, shades not in line with what is garden party attire, but that doesn’t mean you have to remove white from your wardrobe altogether.

Instead, dress for your weather and your setting, hitting a comfortable balance with fabric. In line with the mood, you could also opt for softer, whiter tones.

There is one rule that still stands around wearing white, though. Don’t show up to a wedding in white; leave that special day for the bride.

A Floral Parade

Summer garden party attire is still en vogue after Labor Day. When there’s a nip in the air and the flowers begin to wilt on the vine, keep them alive in your wardrobe!

The floral motif has always been a classic, and it has expanded in recent years, highlighting smaller, dainty flowers that are fashionable into fall. A garden party is meant to celebrate life’s greatest moments among the blooms from that year.

So, as you search for what to wear to a garden party, reach for the garden itself. The pastel, light colors present keep spirits high.

The selection of patterned dresses at Juliana’s is ideal summer garden party attire and beyond. Between nap dresses, vacation frocks, and chiffon creations, our collection of patterned and floral dresses is what garden party attire dreams are made of.

If the Shoe Fits, Wear It

Have you ever attended an outdoor party or wedding, dressed to the nines in a long dress and pointy high heels? And it rained the night before? If so, you know what happens next. That heel sinks straight into the soft ground, dirtying your shoe and the bottom of your dress.

Follow your garden-party chic dress code without succumbing to the soft ground in wedge or platform-heeled sandals. These shoes are ideal summer garden-party attire and still hold up in the months following Labor Day if you prefer that neutral color palette in the fall.

The heel or platform on these sandals provides the clearance for a longer dress, and the wider straps provide more stability when walking on uneven ground.

Your Favorite, Old Cardigan

What is garden party attire without a cardigan? The light jacket, knit of beautiful material, is the epitome of the soft, feminine nature associated with what to wear to a garden party, as delicate as the blooms themselves.

Even if the temperature dips in those days following Labor Day, summer garden party attire is still on the table since a cardigan helps bridge the gap between summer and fall.

Furthermore, since we aren’t letting a calendar dictate what colors we wear, a cardigan can provide the pop of white you’re looking for or balance any light tones in your dress with a darker cardigan.

Juliana’s collection of cardigans is available in a rainbow of shades, from bright to muted, with both formal and casual options. The fabric is soft to the touch, striking that perfect balance between delicate and strong, which is exactly what you need for your garden-party chic dress code.

The Final Touch

Top off your summer garden party attire with a final touch: jewelry and accessories. They are the finishing piece in the bouquet and bring everything together. Explore the jewelry at Juliana’s to find the piece to complement your look. And no outfit is complete without a corresponding handbag!

Long Live Summer

There are so many things from our past that have shaped who we are as a people today: family traditions, legacies around schools and sororities, and more. Only wearing white from spring to September does not have to be something we continue to carry with us, though.

You no longer have to wonder “what is garden party attire after Labor Day?” The answer: whatever you want it to be! Summer garden party attire is not beholden to summer alone.

With a dress that makes you feel beautiful, the right pair of shoes, a corresponding cardigan, and the final accessories, figuring out what to wear to a garden party any time of the year is a breeze when you shop at Juliana's.