In modern day society, fashion has become a form of identity and self-expression, however, not everyone has always had this privilege. Throughout history, fashion has acted as a quiet form of resistance for women, especially during moments when society placed strict expectations on how they should present themselves. Modesty became a standard by which society judged a woman’s behavior, limiting their freedom to express individuality. Yet even within these boundaries, women found ways to challenge the norms placed upon them, both through the use of color and garments.
During the Women’s Suffrage Movement, particularly in 1908, clothing became a meaningful symbol of their protest. Suffragettes intentionally wore white to symbolize purity and unity, transforming their appearance into a statement of strength and determination. Their fashion choices were deliberate acts meant to confront the expectations that sought to overlook their efforts. Alongside this, the use of white united the cause among women of all social classes—by intentionally choosing an affordable fabric, the suffragettes demonstrated how inequality affected women as a whole.
Other than uniting women of different social ranks, women’s fight for equality brought awareness to the Civil Rights Movement. Rather than focusing on the attire aspect of fashion, hair was used as a voice for justice during the Natural Hair Movement of the 1960s. Primarily led by Angela David and Nina Simone, many African American women began wearing their natural hair out in public, a sign of radical defiance and protest. Ultimately, this would lead to a variety of laws banning African hairstyles, such as afros, braid, locs, etc., yet, an act so simple was enough to showcase the absurdity of white standards placed on women of color.
As fashion continued to progress, the 1970s and 80s introduced a new shift in women’s expression through the rise of powerdressing, reflecting the changing roles women sought in professional environments. For years, workplace expectations kept women visually separate from men, limiting them to dresses and clothing articles like skirts, that reinforced their lower status in the workplace. As more women entered these environments, many began using suits, tailored pants, and pinstripes to demonstrate their capability in spaces that had long excluded them. Yet, this movement soon sparked debate, as some questioned whether mirroring men’s clothing truly created equality or simply encouraged women to fit into standards they had not set for themselves. In response, a new wave of expression emerged, one that emphasized personal choice over conformity.
Beginning in 1987, March became recognized as Women’s History Month in the United States, acknowledging the fight against gender inequality and bringing honor to feminists who dedicated their lives to the cause. Henceforth, this month continues to be acknowledged every year, showcasing that the injustice towards women remains a prominent problem. Fashion has been used as a symbol for feminism throughout the entirety of society, and it continues today. Even if unintentional, every time a woman chooses what to wear on her own accord, it is a reminder of those who paved the fight for feminism, and the women who will continue to fight for equality.
