So Gulley and I were talking about a variety of topics yesterday, everything from our favorite contestant on American Idol to the American involvement in Libya. Because we pride ourselves on being well-rounded.
(In case you’re wondering, Paul McDonald is my favorite on Idol right now. He just has that whole quirky, raspy-voiced thing going on that I adore. Also, Gulley and I got really tickled because one of the kids in her pre-school class told her he loved American Idol because that funny-looking grandma always says hilarious things. The funny-looking grandma would be Steven Tyler. I’m not sure that’s the look he’s going for.)
Anyway, one of the things we discussed was how late Easter falls this year. It’s April 24th for those of you playing along at home and that is WAY LATE compared to all Easters in my recent memory. Our discussion led us to this question: if it’s already 90 degrees outside but Easter isn’t until April 24th, when is it okay to wear white pants?
I’m not as concerned about white shoes because I fundamentally don’t believe in white shoes for females over the age of ten. Don’t hassle me about it. It’s just a personal opinion.
And I realize that we are living in 2011 and people really have bigger concerns (like Libya) than when to wear white pants. I am aware we live in a world where people wear white pants all year round. I just need to know that my great-grandmother won’t be turning over in her grave if I decide to break out the white jeans sometime around mid-April instead of waiting until the day after Easter.
Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.
Speaking of Easter, I thought it might be fun to look at some good options for Easter attire today. If you don’t agree with me, please don’t let me know. It took me a long time to find ten dresses I actually liked.
They just don’t make them like Leslie Lucks used to with big sailor collars that require you to turn sideways when you walk through a doorway.
As usual, Anthropologie has my heart. And, honestly, this dress is pretty reasonable for Anthropologie who generally likes to charge you $300 and the right to name your first born child.
I’m always looking for anything besides a floral print because I struggle with floral prints. I love that this is bright and feminine without flowers.
3. square neck matte jersey dress
Love the colors and I bet it’s so dang comfortable.
4. bell sleeve paisley empire waist dress
I really love the hot pink and black together and this style of dress is usually flattering on everyone.
5. brilliant in bolds floral skirt
What? A skirt? For Easter? MADNESS.
But how cute would this be with a pretty shrunken yellow cardigan? Very Betty Draper.
This is definitely non-traditional but I really like it.
7. hot pink sleeveless with flared skirt
Love the hot pink. I think it would be darling with some turquoise accents to spice it up.
8. yellow sleeveless printed dress
See? Another bright, pretty dress with no flowers.
I love this tunic and it would be great paired with some white skinny, cropped pants. Plus you could wear it all summer long.
I’m also a big fan of this ibiza tunic. Might be cute worn over cropped leggings with some pretty bejeweled sandals.
You can’t go wrong with a pretty top. I really like this one. Or maybe something like this printed ruffle top which is about as close to a floral print as I’ll ever get.
BUT WAIT. THERE’S MORE.
Here are a few cute dresses for little girls I’ve found in my search for Caroline’s Easter dress.
I love these vintage dresses from Boden. Caroline nixed this one though because she’s trying to kill me.
2. kissing kumquats knot dress
I adore this. ADORE. Just so cute and they come in some many fabric combinations.
3. blue church flowers knot dress and peasant pants
There again, I love this. But Caroline would rather kick the Easter bunny than put on anything this ruffly at this point in her life. However, if she were three years old, this would have been a contender.
4. eyelet pillowcase dress with monogram
I’ve always loved pillowcase dresses. Just so old-fashioned and pretty.
I love this. And I would love it more with a big monogrammed “C” on the front.
That’s it for today.
Y’all have a great Friday.
I’ve been wondering about the white pants all week as I’ve been putting together presentable work attire every day.
And bring back the Leslie Lux! That line could rock an Easter ensemble like no other…
Enjoy the weekend all.
i always thought you couldn’t wear white until after memorial day?! all this time…haha. i love that anthro dress- and the little girl dresses are SO cute! adorable finds!
That’s what I have always heard. After Memorial Day and NOT after Labor Day.
I also learned the Memorial Day/white rule. Of course, I try to avoid wearing white anywhere near my buttock and hip region. I would prefer that area to “recede” in the light, not “reflect”.
I have always heard Memorial Day- Labor Day as well…this Easter rule is new to me. Although being in Maryland, we have some pretty hot days in May and that would be nice.
My grandma, the Queen of Shoes and Costume Jewelry, (who also considered white shoes off the negotiating table no matter what the season) would tell us with her warbly little voice and her wobbly chin, “No white pants/jeans/skirts/dresses before Memorial Day or after Labor Day. ” I’ve stretched these rules with my favorite white jeans and capri pants many times, and found that, as with many things, the first time’s the hardest. Go forth and accessorize.
PS – Any suggestions for a 50ish extra-fluffy chick who needs to keep her upper arms covered for the good of the general public on what to wear to her only child’s college graduation?
Pillowcase dresses must be a southern thing? I had never seen them until I started reading Kelly’s Korner and now today on your blog.
You can wear white pants anytime in the tropics. As far as I’m concerned, South Texas is the tropics.
OH MY GOSH!!! I haven’t even read the rest of the post but when I read that about the kid thinking that Steven looks like a grandma?! HAHAHAHAHAHA! Because my husband says the same thing and he’s taken to calling him “Grammy Steven”!!! And it cracks me up every time! I can’t WAIT to tell him he’s not the only one who thinks so! …
Okay, now back to our regularly scheduled post and looking at all the adorable suggestions!…
I used to worry about what other people thought…..then I figured out they aren’t paying so much attention…..wear what you want….wear what makes you comfortable…..wear what makes you smile
As a over 50 southern Memaw who has struggled with the white pants issue for years, I decided that living in New Mexico that heat trumps the old rules.
It’s already too hot for regular jeans here. Bermuda shorts and capris have already been cracked out in my house.
I love, love the steven tyler comment!
Also, love the boden tunics and the DARLING knot dress and pants for my daughter!
Well, considering there is a skin of ice on my pond this morning, I think long underwear is still a possibility for Easter this year.
Winter does not want to let go in the Great Lakes area.
As a girl who grew up with a fashionista grandmother, the rule is that you can wear white shoes from Easter Sunday through Labor Day. Memorial Day doesn’t make sense b/c that’s practically summer–you’d be wearing brown leather loafers when it’s 80 degrees outside. It’s definitely a Southern thing. I stick to the rule b/c my Granny would most definitely roll over in her grave should I bust out white dress shoes for my girls right now.
I have to disagree on the white shoes for women thing. I have some flat, white, flip flop style sandals that have a leather “ruffle” up the center of my foot. They look awesome with dark skinny jeans and a flowy top. I don’t think I’d go for white pumps or anything, but I think an exception can be made for women wearing white sandaly style footwear.
Love that last little girls’ dress with the monogram idea!
I think you’re right about it being a Southern thing. We never much think about it here up North. If it’s pleasant weather, by golly we’re gonna pull out the whites and the shorts and enjoy!
oh my goodneSS I love thiS entire poSt!! HA HA HA GRANNY TYLER:)
LOVE THE HOT PINK NUMBER…AND I
love love the pilloWcaSe dreSS FOR THE LITTLE ANGELS…MY HUBBY SAYS IM OBSESSED WITH THEM I SAY UM..BABE..OUR DAUGHTER IS 5 AND SHE’S HAD 3 OF THOSE DRESSES HER WHOLE LIFE..LOL:)
The Steven Tyler comment made my day. Priceless.
And I’m seriously considering pretending my 9 month old is a girl just so I can get that pillow case dress for Easter. Just kidding!
Kind of.
No really, I already got him some seersucker pants (I am a total sucker for seersucker!) with the taupe-y colored stripe. Any ideas on what I should put on top? We live in Scotland, so it’s still really cold here…
That Steven Tyler comment? Priceless!
Love that ibiza tunic and that skirt! I have rocked the skirt more than once on Easter Sunday.
I’ve always heard no white pants until after Memorial Day. I like the Easter rule better!
I just got that first dress you listed from Anthropologie in the mail. I bought it specifically for Easter. I felt pretty silly buying my Easter dress so far since I’m a grown woman but I figured it was okay since I’ve already purchased my son’s suit as well…At least that is what I tell myself.
Ah, the horrors of trying to find an adult Easter dress.
This year it is made even more difficult by the fact that a) yes, it can still snow at the end of April here–they are predicting a “cooler than normal” April anyway and b) I will be approximately 38 weeks pregnant and who wants to dress up for Easter and look like an egg themselves? I found a dress that would be do-able with the right accessories, but so far those accessories have been eluding me. And the dress is a nice, bright tourquoise (yes, I’ll look like a pretty colored egg) and I’m looking at a pair of red wedges from Target to go with. A little too much for Sunday services at the Catholic church? Add to that the fact that I need to find ANOTHER dress that will fit approximately 1 week or so after baby is born for my oldest’s 1st Communion and I am in church-clothes hell (pardon my language, I’m stressing just a bit about this whole dress deal the next 2 months)
This makes me laugh! Cute comment about your daughter, I remember Easter shopping with my mom and saying “NO lace, NO ruffles, NO bows!” My poor mother:) So God blessed me with boys, sweater vests for everyone=)
Great choices…..even for an “older” woman like me!
Love the Leslie Lucks comment….except I was wearing them as a young adult, and you were wearing them as a child! ha!
Spring Break is the new Easter. White after the first day of Spring Break is ok.
I fundamentally don’t believe in white pants. At least not for anyone in this family. Our track record with white anything is dismal.
And the chances of convincing Livi and Ava to wear a dress are slim to none. We’ll probably all wear shorts/capris to church on Easter. Or jeans if this 30-degree weather doesn’t go away soon.
The dresses you picked were lovely. However, my favorite part of today’s blog was the statement about Caroline “because she’s trying to kill me.”
Thanks for the laughs.
Love, love the pretty girly dresses! I remember my oldest daughter in 2nd grade…..she wouldn’t put on a frilly dress anymore. That was such a sad day! Good luck getting C into a cute Easter dress.
that knot dress from etsy…LOVE THIS STYLE DRESS for my little girl but did not love the prices. so, i bought the pattern off of etsy for $10 (yes, $10!!) and had my aunt in the woodlands (pretty close to you?) make it for me! i’d be happy to share the pattern; it’s in pdf format and then you can have caroline some made for 1/2 the price!
and just think of the layering possibilities when it does finally turn cool again. i’m so excited about this dress!
The whole ruffle on the bottom of the pants also appears to be a Southern thing too.
I’m just so glad to have someone that agrees with me about white shoes! I can’t stand them for adults either! Have no idea why though! Lovely dresses too – look forward to seeing what you & c wear on Easter!
As far as the white pants rule goes, I always grew up with the Easter rule. But, that really doesn’t work for me since that cuts down on the time when I can actually wear pants since it has yet to become blazing hot. So, I have made up my own rule, spring break. Feel free to join my revolution.
I’m joining in!
I’m not so worried about the white pants issue as I am about my 6 yo daughter wearing white shoes before Easter. Do I let her? The cute spring-time dresses she’s wearing almost require white sandals, but seriously, Grandmother would roll over, get out, and slap me if she found out Anna was wearing them before Easter!!!
now this just makes me wonder why did this “rule” ever come to be?? Especially in warm weather states where the hot weather dictates you wear lighter clothing and shoes. And why do we care? just puzzled.
We live in Texas, and no where close to North Texas. White pants became appropriate on the official first day of spring, which was in March. Because let’s face it, our brief “spring” is really the equivalent of summer on the east coast. Sure, they will hate us, but in the summer when we feel like we are two feet from the sun, and anything more than a bathing suit is overdressed, they can laugh at us because they will be sporting their white pants WITHOUT sweat stains.
I almost broke out the white jeans yesterday…my apologies to your grandmother.
I firmly believe that if it is over 80 and past valentines day, it’s on.
Hilarious about Steven Tyler!
I saw a few weeks ago where Simon Cowell’s 86 yr old mother called him not long after this season started and asked him to “Tell Jennifer, the new girl, I like her. Give my love to Randy. And tell Paula she looks a bit tired.”
http://www.wetpaint.com/american-idol/video/video-simon-cowells-mom-thinks-steven-tyler-and-paula-abdul-are-the-same-person
re the white jeans? It’s Easter here in the deep south. Not Memorial Day like some commenters have mentioned. I wonder where in the world the rule is Memorial Day? Goodness Gracious, that’s already into summer! And as much as I’d love love love to wear some white shorts or capri’s before Easter… I just don’t see it happening. I don’t think I could actually enjoy wearing it even if I tried because I’d for sure have some kind of fashion related guilt. How do you do something your Grandmother always told you not to do? My mom has bucked the system a few times. I just can’t do it.
Still laughing about Steven Tyler. Even though I love him for the high school flashbacks his music offers me, and love him as a judge on Idol, Dude does Look Like A Lady.
I busted out the white jeans up here in Dallas on Tuesday when it was in the mid-80s and I had no fewer than 4 compliments on my outfit. Nary a mention of my white pants (the horror!) I still feel like a total rule breaker putting them on before Easter, but dang it if I don’t love them!
Since you asked, I always figure the fashion police won’t come and arrest me if I break out the spring/summer outfits (including white jeans and/or shoes) once it is officially Spring (which occurred last Sunday). Since I live in South Florida, this is always tricky since it is frequently warm enough to wear them prior to the official start of spring. (Sometimes I actually cheat and wear spring-ish things before I really should, but definitely not the white jeans. That would be wrong).
If you are lucky enough to be somewhere that is that warm, I say go for the white jeans! Right now, today!! And enjoy every minute!
I agree with “brickhouse”. Any time after the official start of spring is fine to wear white!!
I love the clothes from Mini Boden. I ordered my two grand daughers their Easter dresses from them.
If you look good in white jeans (and I don’t), I say wear them all year long.
I’m with you, Mel, white between Easter and Labor day – maybe it’s a southern thing. I’ve never heard about Memorial Day like some folks mentioned. As for the white shoes, I’m like you and don’t wear them ever. I also don’t wear white pants because I don’t think they look good on me, but I probably wouldn’t wear them until after Easter lest both our grandmothers roll over in their graves. For the first year ever, I’ve not watched the first episode of American Idol. Paul McDonald, however, is from my hometown, so I’ll root for him right alongside you.
I love your fashion sense; you tend to love all the things I love! I wish I had you to shop with in NC! I love that last pink, striped, ruffle dress for Caroline!
I wore white jeans three weeks ago with black boots, a black jacket and a pretty scarf. To CHURCH. I lead worship even. The walls stayed up, the earth kept turning. Get those white jeans out now!!
I’m sure the Memorial Day rule is for us Northerners. . .we’re still likely to have temps in the 50′s on an off day in May – and I remember the early 90′s we had snow flurries on Memorial Day (Once, people – not every year – it’s not that bad) But I’m so not concerned about the white pants – there isn’t a a chance that I’d be able to wear white attire on my lower extremities more than once without them being stained forever. Those of you who can, hats off to you!
Oh – that Steven Tyler comment made my day!!
CUTE CUTE CUTE!
Love the brilliant in bolds floral skirt- too cute!
Don’t forget to check out the pickle tree for Caroline’s Easter dress!
And coming soon….personalized painted easter pails:)
http://www.thepickletree.etsy.com
LOVE that matter jersey dress. The colors are fantastic! I’m always afraid those styles don’t look right on my body type, though.
Cute! Cute! Cute! My grandmother from Iowa was a stickler for no white before Memorial Day and no white after Labor Day. No ifs, ands or buts about it. Personally, the first day of spring, which has come and gone, should herald the wearing of white.
And y’all won’t believe this non flour peanut butter cookie recipe. Never know there was no flour in it. They’re down right nearly calorie free. Well, not, but they’re good. And easy peasy. http://www.facebook.com/note.php?saved&¬e_id=10150106305472045
LOVE Paul! He’s my fav-O-rite!!! Reminds me of Rod Stewart and that’s just GOOD!
Needed the laugh about the Grandma Judge on Idol. Hilarious!
White pants? Bought a new cropped pair from Express and I figure if they’re selling them I’m supposed to wear them.
Already wore them THREE times. But I figured the groundhog shadow thing {I never get that right so not even gonna say whether or not he saw it.} and everyone shouting early spring means wear the white pants.
So, wear the white pants. Wear them proudly. If great-grandmother starts rolling tell her you love her and she was way prettier than the grandma judge on the T.V.
Whatever happened to the final 5 trends of Spring???? You starte with the first 5 trends of Spring a few weeks ago.
A Texas girl weighing in on the white pants debate. I was raised that you only wear white from Easter to Labor Day and I have really tried to keep this rule with my girls. Sometimes it’s hard because the clothes have to reflect the weather to keep comfortable, but the shoes have to coordinate with the date. So, we wear a lot of navy in the Spring and Brown in the Fall. However, I have totally fallen in love over the past few years with my white jeans, white pants and white shorts, so I am breaking the rule big time in the Spring…not so much in the fall. Besides, we are officially in Spring and it’s eighty degrees so I consider myself in the clear.
And, I mostly agree about white shoes on grown women. They usually look so glaringly obvious and I don’t think we generally want people to be blinded by our feet. However, I make exception for a white sandal/flip flop mainly because some outfits just need it, and they look great against tanned skin, and they don’t have so much white on them that they reflect the sun.
I called Nena and asked her the question about when to break out the white jeans. This is a woman who reads fashion magazines every day of her life as you know! Here is the scoop straight from Nena. It is ok to wear white jeans now (some magazines say it is ok year round on white jeans) However, she said wait until Easter on white dress clothes and white shoes. There you have it! Love you!! She sends you her love!
Awwwww…poor Steven. He isn’t an attractive man at all but I do love him! Bless his heart! He is a trip! I saw Aerosmith in concert many moons ago and they were AWESOME!!!!!!
Anywho, I wore some cute white sandals last weekend because it was hot as Hades and they looked really good with my outfit. It wasn’t until later that I realized I shouldn’t really be wearing white yet. The almost 90 degree weather threw me off but I will probably wear them again before Memorial Day!
Being a fellow Texan, I hear your debate over the white jeans before Easter dilemma. However, last week was downright hot, so I broke those babies out! I figure, in Texas we don’t have Spring. We have Almost Summer. So that counts, in my book.
I have never really thought about wearing white pants or white shoes, because I am not a big fan of either one, unless, like you said, they are worn on a child.
I love, love, love the “flounced mocha dress”. It is so adorable, and looks comfortable as well.
Have a nice weekend!
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
I love that square neck matte jersey dress too. But, I find that since I have a bigger chest stuff like that on me makes it look like I’m wearing a maternity outfit. So, unfortunately it doesn’t work for me. And I’m so sad because that style is so popular right now.
Love all those sweet little girl dresses. I’m having a hard time figuring out what my boys will wear. The last few weeks we’ve had some 70 degree days and now Sat. night they are calling for a chance of flurries. It is weather madness. We never get snow this late.
If anyone finds cute dresses that aren’t uber short will you please let the rest of us know? Sigh.
Heehee. I used to worry about such things when I lived somewhere where the sun shone on Easter. However, here in Oregon, we’re barely pushing 40 degrees most years on Easter, so I’m thrilled about the prospect of a “warm” Easter!
That said, I will, sadly, not be wearing anything cute of my own on Easter morn as I play bells in my bell choir and that’s our day to play, wearing our “uniforms” of black skirts, white tops. I have, however, already purchased coordinated outfits for my 3 kiddos. And I’m hoping I won’t need to get sweaters for them this year!!
Seriously, this white-pants issue is a big deal. My thirteen-year-old daughter and I just had a discussion on the subject last night. While initially I tried to discourage her from breaking out her white jeans this early, she insisted “all the girls at school are doing it!” And she looked precious today!! It’s beautiful weather in the South, and I say life’s too short to leave a cute pair of white jeans hanging in the closet. (My grandmother would probably say wait ’til after Memorial Day to wear white. But my grandmother also NEVER wore pants to church, and she ALWAYS wore pantyhose with her dresses. Rules can change.)
OH. My. Goodness! I could hardly get past the paragraph about Steven Tyler/grandma. Whew! I may wake up in the middle of the night to giggle about that again. I LOVE kids!
I personally would not do it, but I would not judge someone else who wore white pants in mid April, provided it was hot. Normally by mid April, we would all be free to wear them.
Melanie,
Thanks for all the great options! Would that we had the white pants dilemma. Unfortunately, on the same day that my friend went to buy a pair of white jeans for the summer, we had a snow storm. That was a bit dispiriting.
So my challenge for you is this: how are we to dress for Easter up here in Boston where, even if Easter falls at the END of APRIL, there is no way it will be warm enough for ANY of these adorable dresses?! Unless, of course, you think they could go with knit tights and boots? And down parkas?
I’m just waiting for the woolen Easter dress thing to catch on…
I scrolled down quickly through your post at first and thought you’d lost your mind. I was trying to imagine you wearing the kissing kumquats dress on Easter Sunday. I read more carefully and realized it was a suggestion for a little girl. Phew!
I know what you mean about white pants.. But it’s been mid-eighties here, and I say, it’s spring, do it. There is a very cute, stylin’ girl at my church who was sporting some type of white pants, and it gave me courage to do the same.
I have never heard of the Memorial day rule, only the Easter one.
The Steven Tyler / grandma quote made my week!!! Still laughing at that!
The flounced mocha dress, well it will have to be a tall venti size… I tried that baby on and I needed about 7 more inches to make me look like something other than a Hershey’s kiss… Seriously, beautiful and comfy but not if you are 5’2″….
If you really liked those dresses with the ruffle pants… I am about to rock your world (and Caroline’s probably)… check out matildajane.com… get your hankey ready for the drool that may develop…
It is straight-up snowing in WV right this second. I say if it’s warm enough to wear white, then wear it. And do so proudly.
It took me a second to figure out that kid was talking about Steven Tyler. (I’m a little slow off the line). Im still giggling….
Just came by to love on you, my dear, and tell you that someone not oh-so-far away is thinking of you today. I think you’re awesome! Some of the dresses didn’t pop up—might be my computer. Your taste is impeccable—-still remember the SSMT jacket, smile! And Paul is one of my favorites, right next to Jacob…and they are certainly not in the same frame. Love you girl!
I say wear what you want, when you want…be yourself! And I want to wear #2!
Here in California, I grew up hearing about not wearing white before Memorial day, but no one ever goes by that!! But then again, in California pretty much anything goes…good or bad!!
Since it wasn’t that long ago that I was wearing stirup pants with neon leg warmers, I doubt wearing white jeans before easter would be the fashion disaster that my great-grandmother would comment on. There really are no fashion rules anymore. So, rock those white jeans!!
love that anthropologie dress! and your blog- i just stumbled upon it in a caffeine haze so even though i should be sleeping, at least i found a kindred soul to follow