Vernacular Tradition: African American Clothing

 Makyra Hollins

Professor Harris

African American Literature

April 29, 2022

Vernacular Tradition: African American Clothing

Since the beginning of time, African Americans have always had their own style. Although their unique style of clothing and fashion in America did not start off as a choice, their style has always set them apart from other cultures. There are and were so many trends that were started by African Americans that were personally surprising.  After doing research, there were several findings and important history worth sharing 

During the bondage, the slaveholders ordered a certain dress attire for certain slaves and people. The slaves that worked in the house were given better dress codes and the field slaves, children, and those considered too old to work were to dress poorly. Those enslaved as house servants in an urban setting were able to get better clothing which became a symbol of the master’s wealth. The dress codes that slaves were given were to be followed Monday through Saturday. Sunday was the only day they were allowed to be out of their uniforms. Therefore, they made sure to dress in style for church. Because of this, church style attire became a fixation in southern culture.

Just like church style has an origin, so does an accessory still worn today, which would be the headwrap. During slavery, women working in difficult conditions wore the head wrap to keep their hair clean and to absorb sweat. In several southern states, African American women were legally forced to wear cloth headwraps in public instead of hats and feathers worn by the white women. After the civil war, the enforcement of head wraps was discarded. Years later, the head wrap became a symbolism worn by African American women to show acknowledgment of their enslaved ancestors, during the Civil Rights movement.

The civil rights movement really brought out African American fashion and culture. African American men and women no longer wanted the European hair look. They let go of their perms and hot combs and begin wearing their natural afros along with a headwrap. The clothing during the civil rights movement was unique. Most of the styles consisted of African prints called Kentes, dashiki shirts, beads, and caftan gowns better known as moomoos modernly. During this time, blacks begin to become proud of who they were and although fighting for equality, proud of what set them apart.

Moving forward into the 80s and 90s, African American culture and fashion remained different and a statement. Several trends emerged during this time. In the 80s, a black designer by the name of Dapper Dan began printing logos of expensive brands like Gucci and Louis Vuitton over leather which started the trend of monograms. In the 90s, clothes were worn oversized and accessorized with gold jewelry. The women wore their hair in styles such as braids, pixie cuts, and finger waves and the men wore high-top fades and Caesar cuts. Most of these trends mentioned can still be seen worn today. 

To sum it all up, African American have their own fashion. It distinguishes them from other cultures. Ironically some styles were to degrade African Americans , but they took these same styles and made what they wanted out of them.