What We Wear Speaks|Fashion as Political Marker, Cultural Memory, and Creative Defiance
In uncertain times, we reach for the familiar. For structure. For the kinds of things that hold us together—literally and figuratively. And fashion, in its uniquely human way, becomes both a reflection and a response. A way to make sense of the world and ourselves. A way to say, I am still here. I still have control. I can still create beauty.
Right now, we are in one of those moments.
The economy feels precarious. Political climates are tense. The future—undefined. And as we often do in such times, we’re seeing a shift in how we dress: toward the practical, the nostalgic, the tailored. Toward clothes that do more than just cover—they signal stability, resilience, and hope.
And at the center of this sartorial moment is an event that’s both timely and timeless: the 2025 Met Gala, with its theme “Tailoring Black Style”—a celebration of the power, elegance, and cultural significance of Black fashion across the diaspora. It’s a nod to the past, a statement about the present, and perhaps, a vision for what’s possible next.
Let’s talk about how we got here—and why it matters.
Fashion As Mirror: Dressing Through Uncertainty
Throughout history, fashion has echoed the times. After the austerity of World War II, Dior’s “New Look” offered a full-skirted fantasy of abundance and femininity. Post-recession, we saw normcore and minimalism, signaling restraint and practicality. Even in the early 2000s, Y2K fashion mirrored a digital age on the cusp of change—bold, metallic, experimental.
Today, we’re seeing a convergence of trends that reflect our current climate:
Military and utilitarian fashion—functional cargo pants, sturdy fabrics, tactical silhouettes—is on the rise. In times of instability, we want clothes that feel ready. That work with us, not just for us.
Nostalgia reigns, with a full-blown Y2K revival and the return of Millennial Pink. These trends aren’t just aesthetic—they’re emotional anchors to a time that felt simpler, or at least, more certain.
Even in jewelry, we see a shift. Silver is back—after years of gold dominance, its cool, reflective quality speaks to a collective desire for clarity over excess, function over opulence.
And perhaps most notably, we’re witnessing a return to tailoring. Structured pieces. Defined silhouettes. Clothing that feels intentional, precise, and poised. In a world that feels increasingly unpredictable, tailoring signals control. It gives us shape—literally—and offers the psychological comfort of order amidst chaos.
Which brings us back to the Met Gala.
Tailoring Black Style: Fashion as Resistance, Resilience, and Reclamation
This year’s theme, “Tailoring Black Style,” is more than a dress code. It’s an invitation to reflect on how fashion—particularly in Black communities—has always been more than fabric and thread.
It’s been armor and art, resistance and resilience.
Black style has always held dual power: to reflect the times and to resist them. To reclaim dignity and self-expression in societies that have often denied both.
From the sharp suits of Harlem Renaissance dandies, to the clean lines of civil rights leaders’ Sunday best, to today’s fusion of tradition and modernity, (Think Andre 3000, Janelle Monáe) tailoring has been a way to own space, assert identity, and craft visibility.
I am personally looking forward to seeing the beauty of this history take center stage—while also hoping that the significance of this moment is honored with the care and respect it deserves. In a cultural landscape where representation can be fragile, there’s something powerful about witnessing Black style celebrated not as spectacle, but as a legacy—alive, nuanced, and deeply rooted in American history.
Looking Ahead: What Fashion Teaches Us About Resilience
Fashion has always cycled through periods of restraint and extravagance, of control and chaos. And through each cycle, we’ve emerged not untouched, but transformed—with more clarity, more creativity, and often, more community.
So what can we learn from this moment?
That in dressing ourselves—especially in times like these—we’re not just reflecting the world. We’re reshaping it. One tailored jacket, one silver ring, one functional, beautiful, intentional choice at a time.
We will be okay. Maybe we avoid hardship, maybe we don’t, maybe we land somewhere in between—but nevertheless, we adapt, express, and I truly hope we continue to create.
