Ranging from baggy jeans to bucket hats, hoop earrings to lettuce trim tops, there are so many overlooked fashion trends that have been made and set by the Black community and we need to give them the recognition they deserve.
Since the start of lockdown, a massive uprising of protests, anger and reckoning boiled across the world, and many non-Black people opened their eyes to see the horror of the institutionalised and systemic racism that has been going on for centuries. Including myself, we have all learnt so much about the racism in the world around us recently and found out how imperative it is to support, appreciate and voice not only the Black people in this world, but any of the Black people who create massive contributions into our everyday life in the past. I know for myself at least, one of these ways is through fashion.
To start with one of my favourites: baggy jeans. This particular trend was extremely popular in the 2000s but is definitely starting to emerge again in younger generations, such as my own. This particular trend was first adopted by rappers from the style of trousers prisoners wear and became extremely popular in the music industry.
Another extremely popular form of fashion is hoop earrings. Their invention dates back to 4th century Africa from what was originally called Nubia (Sudan) and were made with a range of materials. More recently, they became popular in the Jazz age in 1920s, especially by Josephine Baker – a Black, French musician and activist who became known for her large hoop earrings. Further on in the 1960’s, hoop earrings became popular with and embrace of natural hairstyles within the black community and then later became known with soul and disco. This trend continued all the way through the 90s and 2000s to our time now.
The history of the lettuce hem, which is now extremely popular, was invented in the ‘70s by Stephen Burrows, an African American designer. He loved zig-zag stitch from an early age and to create his new hem, he used this love and made it narrower and closer, forming the lettuce trim. He paved the way through colourful knits, mini-skirts and suede representing non-conforming fashion in his own way. Unfortunately, his name is not as iconic in the media, yet his influence and creations are still all over runways.
Sneaker or trainer culture in casual setting began in the 70s too as the emergence of sportwear to fashion became popular. Due to the rise of hip-hop culture, the popularity of basketball rose and led to trainer shoe lines such as Michael Jordan’s in 1985. They grew exponentially all across the western world and even in the early 2000’s gained a massive following from Asian countries such as China, Malaysia and the Philippines. Popular brands like Nike, New Balance, Adidas and Reebok are still prevalent now. Streetwear culture specifically has been revolutionised by trainers, and even high fashion designers and runways collaborate with the culture of this fashion trend, Alexander McQueen and Dior alike.
These trends encompass so many different styles and creations made popular or originated from the Black community, yet they are sooverlooked by our society. I think it is important to not only recognise but share information about where our trends originate from and how much the Black community influences our lives. Fashion is one of many ways, but through any other inventions like mailboxes, three light traffic lights, home security systems and so much more.
Rightful credit must be given to the creators of these trends so that they can be appropriately celebrated and so that we do our bit to end the prejudice and discrimination which is unfortunarely still prevalent today.
