Labor Day may technically mark the end of summer, but I’ve never been particularly interested in the whole no white after Labor Day rule. Especially when September is still warm enough for a dress and nowhere near sweater weather. This white-and-brown snakeskin print felt like the perfect way to keep a little white in the mix while still moving firmly into fall. The lighter background keeps it fresh, while the rich brown tones, tall boots, and leather accessories give it exactly the kind of September energy I was looking for.
And since I can never seem to stop at just the dress, there may also be a matching bag involved. More on that later.
Fabric
This fabric is a bit of a mystery to me. I found it online a few years ago from a shop called Trap Fabrics, and while I can’t tell you exactly what it is, it has the feel of a lightweight laminated cotton. It’s soft, drapes beautifully, and has just enough structure to hold the shape of the dress without feeling stiff.
Sadly, Trap Fabrics is no more, which is especially unfortunate because I would have happily ordered a few more yards. The mix of creamy white, caramel, and chocolate brown makes this one of those prints that works particularly well for that awkward little stretch between summer and fall.
Not to worry, though. If you’re looking for something with a similar snakeskin feel, I found a couple of options here and here.
Pattern
For this project, I pulled out my trusty slip dress pattern yet again. At this point, I’m not sure what I would do without it. I’ve used this pattern more times than I can count, which is exactly why a good basic pattern earns permanent residency in the sewing room.
Unfortunately, my particular slip dress pattern is no longer available. I did find a very similar option that I’ve since purchased and linked here. Full disclosure: I haven’t made it yet, so I can’t give you a firsthand review, but the shape and construction are very similar and it looks like a great alternative if you want to recreate this style.
Because the snakeskin print has so much going on, I wanted to keep the silhouette simple. The clean lines of the slip dress let the fabric do the talking without competing with it, and the slight A-line shape gives it enough movement to feel relaxed rather than overly fitted.
I did make one small change to the original pattern. Instead of using the straps as drafted, I cut them off and made my own adjustable straps using white grosgrain ribbon. I love the crisp contrast against the snakeskin print, and making them adjustable lets me fine-tune the fit exactly where I want it.
White After Labor Day? Absolutely
I’ve never paid much attention to the old no white after Labor Day rule, and this dress is a pretty good example of why. The creamy white background still feels light and fresh, but the brown snakeskin print immediately pulls it into fall. Add tall cognac boots and a few brown leather accessories, and suddenly white in September doesn’t feel remotely summery.
That is really what I love about dressing for this time of year. You don’t have to jump straight from sundresses to sweaters just because the calendar says summer is over. Sometimes all it takes is a richer color palette, a great pair of boots, and perhaps a little snakeskin to make the transition.
how to style a snakeskin dress
This dress does not need a lot in terms of styling so everything is understated.
- Brown suede jacket – link
- Tall brown boots – link
- Gold hoop earrings – link
- Gold statement ring –link
- Sunglasses – link
- chocolate suede dumpling bag – link
Snakeskin dress shopping links
More styling tips
Looking for slip dress inspiration check out these post
final Thoughts
White after Labor Day? Absolutely. The creamy background and snake print make this dress feel less summery and much more like an easy transition piece for early fall. I’ll wear it now with sandals, then switch to boots, a suede bag, and a light jacket when the temperatures drop. Fashion rules have their place, but this is one I’m very happy to ignore.
