THE JOURNAL
3 MINUTE READ
A Labor Day Weekend Style Guide From Mr P.
Words by Chris Elvidge
23 August 2022
In traditional circles Labor Day is the point at which you’re supposed to transition your wardrobe from summer to fall, putting into storage your breezy fabrics and light colours and replacing them with heavy-duty flannels and knitwear. You don’t have to be American to have heard the phrase “no white after Labor Day”; it’s one of the country’s most enduring and widely recognised sartorial rules. It’s also – and we’re sorry if this offends – a load of old nonsense. Summer doesn’t end on the first Monday of September. Not in this climate, anyway. With that in mind we’ve picked out a few pieces from the latest Mr P. collection that we think are just perfect for the long weekend, but that we expect you will still be wearing for many weeks beyond.
01.
The striped linen bomber
In fashion speak, we are now entering the so-called transitional months, a period when the cooler evenings and generally more capricious conditions demand a flexible approach to dressing. Step forward Mr P. and this linen bomber jacket, which is lightweight and breathable and also comes in a natty pin-striped pattern that reminds us of vintage baseball uniforms. Speaking of baseball, our one piece of advice is to keep it away from hot-dogs and associated condiments.
02.
The denim shorts
If wearing white after Labor Day is a fashion faux pas worthy of a trip to the doghouse then you can expect to go straight to solitary confinement for these. It’s a good thing, then, these old-fashioned rules are of little consequence in the modern world and can simply be ignored, because off-white denim shorts are a great addition to your late-summer wardrobe, working just as well with a T-shirt and bomber jacket as they do with a dark, button-down shirt.
03.
The drawstring shorts
Sitting pretty in the spot between swim shorts and tailored shorts, these striped cotton-twill shorts from Mr P. are just perfect for those days at the beach when you have absolutely no intention of going into the water. With a drawstring waist that offers the flexibility and comfort of swimmers and a pinstripe pattern that echoes collegiate and varsity style, they’re our go-to this Labor Day weekend.
04.
The knitted polo
Noticed the red, white and blue theme yet? While we’ll stop short of suggesting that you dress yourself head-to-toe in stars and stripes – leave that for 4 July – that doesn’t mean you can’t subtly nod to the nation’s colours in your choice of attire. This pink-red polo shirt brings a point of difference to your outfit with a zip placket and a subtle, terry-cotton texture.
05.
The Arizona sandal
Putting an eco-friendly spin on the classic two-strap Arizona-style sandal, Mr P.’s David model is made from regenerated suede, a low-CO2 fabric that can be used again and again. They also come in an eye-catching shade of royal blue, which we suggest using as the principal accent for the rest of your outfit: just add a polo shirt and shorts in a lighter shade of blue and you’re ready for the beach.
