I’m a rule follower. I try not to speed more than five miles over the speed limit, I never broke curfew in high school, I don’t wear a brown belt with black shoes and I return my shopping cart to the designated areas in the parking lot.

The one rule it is now OK to break, I don’t know if I can.

According to Emily Post, an etiquette guru from the 1920s, it is OK to wear white shoes, pants and dresses after Labor Day. It’s OK to wear white 365 days a year.

Post’s explanation is this: it’s not the color, but the fabric that matters.

Cotton, linen and lighter fabrics are to be worn in the warmer months, and wool, heavy cotton, corduroy, suede and satin are to be worn in the cooler months.

White clothing in the heavier fabrics are referred to as winter whites.

It may be OK, but I don’t know if I can do it.

It’s a rule. I can’t break the rule. I know nothing will happen to me if I wear white shoes, pants or a dress. The fashion police will not track me down because they exist only on reality makeover shows.

But, I just don’t know if I can do it.

I don’t want to retire my white sandals for the season yet, and I know it’s OK, but I’ll wear them with the same slight personal shame as when I use a black purse while wearing a brown dress.

Both my sisters are fashionistas, even more than I am. I’ve learned to follow the rules of fashion from them, sometimes learning when it is OK to break out of the norm and wear a look fresh off the runways.

One sister recently returned from a study abroad trip to Europe, and she returned with some of what I think are the craziest outfits. One trend she loves is the one piece, a strapless shirt and pants or shorts, cinched at the waistline. I was never a fan of the way overalls made me look, so I may stay away from that trend.

In comparison with the one-piece outfit, maybe wearing white sandals through the end of September isn’t so crazy after all.

Maybe I’m coming around to the idea.

Maybe.

Laura Fenton is the education and general assignment reporter for the Times-Journal. She can be reached at 410-1744 or laura.fenton@selmatimejournal.com.