Cultural appropriation is a term used to describe the adoption or theft of cultural traits or symbols by other cultures. This can be done in fashion, including fashion styles, fabric use and colour palettes, hairstyles, and accessories.
In fashion, cultural appropriation can include wearing clothes from other cultures (for example, a Chinese tunic topped with an American flag jacket), using symbols or colors associated with other cultures, or designing specific styles that are closely linked to a different culture.
Many times in popular fashion, cultural appropriation is not done with malicious intent. Most people just enjoy different styles and aesthetics and want to incorporate them into their own style.
However, as fashion is a very internal focus within the industry, it can be hard to identify whether your style is influenced by other cultures. Sometimes people need to be pointed out that they have traits from other cultures in their attire.
This article will discuss the issues in both deliberate and unintentional cultural appropriation in fashion, and how to be more respectful and inclusive in your styles.
The impact of cultural appropriation in fashion
The fashion world has been called out several times for cultural appropriation. This term refers to when a person or people from a different culture are involved in the adoption or usurpation of a cultural expression or asset.
Usually, this happens because of admiration. People who admire a certain culture or concept may include some of its elements into their own work or style because they like it.
But if fashion is not done carefully, it can come off as very disrespectful. Some cases of cultural appropriation in fashion are white models wearing braids, geisha inspired looks and makeup, and tiki themed outfits and accessories resembling tribal tattoos and motifs.
There are many ways to be more inclusive in your fashion choices. First, consider your own personal color palette and whether you are drawn to colors from one particular culture. If so, try to find colors that are not specific to one culture but look similar to ones that are.
Also, look into different cultures and see what clothing is appropriate to wear for your gender and size. For example, finding suitable pants instead of skirts or dresses depending on your gender.
How to be respectful and inclusive
In general, it is wise to avoid wearing clothing from cultures other than your own. While it may seem like a small thing, it can have a large impact.
If you are inspired by another culture’s fashion and want to try some pieces for yourself, do some research on how to do so respectfully.
Find pieces that are similar to yours and come from your culture, and try to find ways to mix both of them. For example, if you admire the embroidery on Pakistani shalwar kameez dresses, find ones made in your country and buy them!
If you already have items in your wardrobe that are not from your culture, there is no need to throw them out. You can either donate them or keep them for yourself use. Just be aware of how much they mean to people of other cultures.
Avoiding cultural appropriation in fashion
As mentioned before, cultural appropriation is when a person or group assimilates cultural symbols or styles from other cultures.
In fashion, this most frequently occurs when someone uses a symbol or style from another culture to design their garments, without that person being from that culture.
For example, a white fashion designer using braiding in the hair as a feature of a fashion look on a model who is not Black. Or using geisha makeup on a non-Japanese model.
While some may think it is just inspiration taken from other cultures, in reality, it is disrespectful and exclusionary. By taking symbols and styles out of their original context, you are stripping them of their meaning.
You are also making it more accessible to people who may not be aware of its original meaning, but like the look of it.
Research what your wearing
As mentioned earlier, part of being respectful and inclusive is avoiding the use of cultural symbols that have negative connotations.
However, this also includes researching the styles you want to try and where they come from. If you want to wear a geometrical print dress, find one made in your home country or one that captures the spirit of ones made in your home country.
If you want to wear an extravagant headdress, find one that was traditionally worn or purchase one that was handmade. These small details make a big difference!
By doing some research before buying new clothing, you can avoid wearing things that are disrespectful. Even if you already have items that are questionable, don’t throw them out! Give them to organizations that can donate them to people who need them.
Chances are they may be comfortable and useful to someone who belongs to the same culture as you do.
Ask someone what their wearing
Asking someone what they’re wearing or what their favorite fashion brands are is a great way to start talking about fashion. You can ask someone if they like the way they dress or whether they like wearing certain things.
By asking someone what brand they like, you can find out what kind of styles they like and what brands are affordable. As mentioned before, fashion is a way of expressing oneself, so by knowing someone’s style, you are getting to know them better.
As we have discussed, there are many ways in which people identify with each other. Part of being polite and respectful is recognizing those identifiers and not interfering with them.
Brown coats are very common in winter, so asking someone what they are wearing may not be the best way to be respectful and inclusive towards everyone.
Speak up against it
As we’ve seen in many cases, people will only change their behavior if they are told there is a problem and how to fix it. It is your responsibility to do so in a kind, compassionate way that does not create more drama or emotional hurt.
If you see your friend wearing a hijab and their friend tries to pull off their headscarf as a joke, you can say something like, “I’ve heard about people pulling off hijabs as a joke and it being offensive, I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable or offended, so please don’t do that.” Or if you see someone wearing ethnic dress and they are not from that ethnicity, say something like, “I can tell you really like ____ dress but wanted to let you know that it is not culturally appropriate. Here is some info on why…”
It is important to emphasize the word “respectful” when addressing the person in the wrong attire or with the wrong behavior. By doing this, they will hopefully hear what else you are saying and take away some of the helpful information.
Educate yourself on different cultures
Even if you have the best intentions, wearing cultural clothing or adopting cultural styles or make-up styles from a culture that is not your own can be offensive.
If you are inspired by a particular culture, research how to respectfully incorporate elements of that culture into your fashion style. For example, learn how to wear tribal tattoos safely and correctly, or how to braid hair in the style of a particular culture.
It is your responsibility to avoid offending people of other cultures, but this article will help you do so in a way that does not cost you too much time or money.
Many people around the world are increasingly sensitive to issues of cultural appropriation due to past experiences with colonization and racism. By being aware of this and avoiding inappropriate clothing and aesthetics, you will be more respectful of other cultures.
This article will go into more detail about different cultural appropriations and what kind of clothes and textures are appropriate to wear.
Don’t use racist terms to describe clothing or hair style
In recent years, many have come to believe that wearing African-American inspired fashion or hairstyles is acceptable because of the growing popularity of it.
While it is true that mainstream fashion trends have helped to break down racial boundaries in fashion, it is still important to be aware of racial undertones in fashion.
Many people who embrace African-American hairstyles or clothing do so because they like the look or feel inspired by it, but don’t know the history and culture behind it.
Ignoring the roots of these styles can lead to cultural appropriation, which means using some aspect of a culture you aren’t a part of for aesthetic purposes alone.
Don’t just wear something because it’s trendy, research the background behind it first to determine if you are respectful in using it.
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