When a typical St Andrean dons their daily uniform, whether that involves a Longchamp and flats, or baggy jeans and trainers, theyâre making an intentional choice. That choice goes well beyond their Pinterest inspiration, though. Style usually speaks for the values someone represents, and people can judge a lot about you based on how youâre dressed.
Since the clothing you wear indicates who you are and what you stand for, then the clothing of those actively engaged in protest or civil resistance certainly speaks to their message; this is known as fashion activism.
Fashion Activism on the Streets
Looking at style in public protests, one of the most important elements is uniformity. Historically, suffragettes wore white feminised versions of the typical male suit with sashes because it showed uniform support for the female vote. They looked like a unified resistance, demonstrating their cause with mass support!
Back in 2022, the Women, Life, Freedom protests in Iran broke out after the 22-year-old Mahsa Amini was detained then killed by the Iranian morality police for allegedly wearing her hijab incorrectly. The femicide sparked outrage across the country, causing protests about gender apartheid in Iran and wider discontent with the Islamic Republic. The most important clothing item here? Itâs not something protesters wore, but in fact what they didnât wear. Women took to the streets without hijabs to protest the mandatory hijab, stand in solidarity with Mahsa Amini, and demand womenâs rights.
Looking at the ICE protests across the United States today, many protestors carry accessories of various flags, most prominently Mexico, but these arenât what catch my eye. The most uniform clothing items protesters are wearing are winter coats, scarves, hats, and gloves, as itâs February and most of the US is covered in snow, and ice with temperatures below freezing. Despite these conditions, Americans have still turned out in record numbers to protest the recent brutality of ICE agents. This fashion uniformity shows that protesters will persist, no matter what temperature, for the cause.
Runway and Red Carpet Fashion Activism
While those on the street create a bigger platform for their cause, runway designers and celebrities often demonstrate civil resistance through their clothing on their already large platforms.
Vivienne Westwood was best known for turning her runways into platforms for protest. Most frequently standing up for environmental justice, she also protested restrictive anti-terrorism laws, Brexit, and supported the Scottish Independence Referendum.Â
During the 2025 Copenhagen Fashion Week, both models and guests used the moment to protest for the Palestinian cause. The model and musician Jura walked for the Finnish brand Marimekkoâs show and pulled out a Palestinian flag reading âACT NOW AGAINST GENOCIDEâ, while guests like Alana Hadid wore a MAILLIW keffiyeh dress. Right now, the V&A Dundee has an exhibition called âThread Memory: Embroidery from Palestineâ (day trip, anyone?) which goes in-depth on Palestiniansâ use of fashion activism.Â
While more subtle, celebrities during this 2026 award season have used the platform of the red carpet to protest ICE by clipping âICE OUTâ and âBE GOODâ pins to their designer clothing. Stars at both the Golden Globes and Grammys like Hailey Bieber, Kehlani, Mark Ruffalo, Billie Ellish, and Jack Antanoff have been seen wearing these pins, organized by ACLU and other activism organizations.
Everyday Fashion Activism
If youâre wondering how you could incorporate activism or resistance into your wardrobe, thereâs a few simple ways. You can take the more subtle route of celebrities and put pins for the causes you support on your backpack or jacket. If there is a distinct accessory connected to a resistance movement or protest, you can wear it more often by incorporating it into your everyday outfits.
The brands you wear matter too. If youâre a passionate environmentalist, look into buying only sustainable fabrics and support slow fashion (yes, you should be saying goodbye to Shein, Zara, and H&M). Some brands may have values that oppose your own. Before you choose to buy from a brand, quickly research who benefits from your support. Fashion activism is not always flashy – you should always try to put your money where your mouth is!