The Importance Of Fashion Activism At Boston University

Our clothes are personal to us because they represent us. Your fashion choices represent who you are, what you value, and how you connect to this crazy world. In the 21st century, as our social and fashion scene continues to change daily, fashion and styling have emerged through the chaos as a blank canvas for people to provide social commentary—whether they are aware of it or not. I believe the importance of fashion as activism at Boston University specifically lies in the freedom of speech and freedom of individual expression. As a young adult, I see political ideals and beliefs reflected in the clothing at BU, showcasing a diverse, distinctive, and socially aware student body; especially at a time when, beyond our campus hub, censorship is becoming increasingly prevalent in the United States.

On the surface level, BU students use fashion to reflect their identity. Gigi Nardo, a business major and senior at BU, described the school’s culture as one that embraces individuality: “People at BU don’t just show up in sweats. They dress how they want to be seen. They express themselves through their fashion choices every single day.” This culture that welcomes originality allows for students such as Jamaica Angeline, a junior studying African American Studies, to challenge stereotypical societal narratives. “Fashion is our liberation,” she asserted. “For far too long, we’ve taken the policing of others telling us what to do with our bodies. Well, fashion is my way of saying, ‘You’re not gonna tell me what to wear,’ whether you think it’s too revealing, weird, or shocking.” In an era where women's bodies remain a battleground for political discourse, Jamaica’s sentiment reflects a larger movement of reclaiming autonomy through fashion.

There is no doubt that this is a phenomenon that has been in use for centuries—from the women's suffrage movement in the 1800s, the iconic berets and sleek black leather jackets of the Black Panther Party in the 1960s, to the recent surge of sustainable fashion and thrifting. Revered fashion editor and columnist Diana Vreeland famously said that, “Fashion is part of the daily air and it changes all the time, with all the events. You can even see the approaching of a revolution in clothes. You can see and feel everything in clothes.” The idea that trends and clothes respond and intertwine with cultural and political movements is a concept that resonates with Hospitality and Communications sophomore Madison Judd. When asked how her style responds to her social and political views, she recalled Beyoncé’s recent Grammy award for her album Cowboy Carter. Beyoncé’s 2024 Album of the Year win was met with criticism, particularly regarding whether she deserved recognition for her country music contributions. “When Cowboy Carter won, there was a girl who was telling me about why she didn't deserve to win and I felt like it was out of racism. I did the whole Western thing because there was a whole thing about whether she deserved to win. If something happens in the media, I am quick to wear something that inherently shows my views, like on election day I wore blue,” Judd said.

By this point, it’s clear that many students at Boston University are using fashion as a medium to showcase their values and their personalities, and much of this is thanks to the diverse and tolerant culture that exists throughout the classrooms, dining rooms, and clubs. Maya Bradley, a senior and president of the Fashion and Retail Association articulated her thoughts on this matter. “I feel like our school is more open to everyone expressing their views compared to other schools, especially in Boston,” she explained. Referencing the protests for Palestine on BU’s campus last fall, Bradley said, “People were free to express themselves and were wearing flags and the colours that they felt represented them.”

As the intersection of fashion and activism continues to shape BU’s campus culture, influencing both individual style and collective trends, Judd remarked that while BU is often seen as a liberal-leaning campus, political and social polarization is still reflected in some students’ fashion choices. When asked about how this intersection might evolve and show through students as the world's political scene continues to change, Judd noted, “There’s definitely a more conservative style coming to fruition as well. I feel like as the political scene changes, people’s styles will either reflect the hyper-polarization of the social scene, or we’ll see more people tone down their style to go with the conservative wave.”