I’m glad you asked that question. Did you know History and world events often create fashion trends?  Let’s take a look at how fashion plays a major role in society, and what we have to fight for..

Past:

How Historical Events Influenced Fashion in the 1930- 1960′s.

The Great Depression

The 1930′s was a time of frugality known as the Great Depression, a world wide economic downturn that put people out of work and effected every part of their lives. In the United States, nearly one quarter of the population was unemployed. Bank failures caused people to lose their life savings.The new austerity must have been a heavy blow for the people who had just lived through the Roaring Twenties, a time of heady spending and extravagance.

Less and less people were sewing in the 1930s. This was the beginning of the ready-to-wear fashion age. However, times were hard and things were scarce during this decade as well.  Since the 1930s was the decade of recovering from the 1929 Great Depression and stock market crash, companies started researching and implementing cheaper means of clothing manufacturing. New materials that were cheaper to process had been created during this decade to replace more expensive materials.

The Civil Rights Movement

This is when fashion truly became a means of visual communication.  By 1965 miniskirts were just busting onto the scene.  By 1967 virtually every young woman in America was showing off her legs in her miniskirt.  Miniskirts were worn back then as a sign of rebellion.  Women were tired of being sheltered and covered up in unattractive, old-fashioned clothing.  It was time to let it all hang out.  Feelings of racial pride and ethnic consciousness increased in African Americans during the mid 60’s.  This was due mostly to the Civil Rights Movement.  Although the Civil Rights Movement was revolved around social and political issues effects of the movement could be seen in African Americans during the latter part of the decade.  An explosion of culture within the African American community during the late 60’s caused some African Americans to begin rocking dashikis, made of the African American textile known as kente cloth.  These are just some of the many examples.

 ”We have the freedom & choice to wear what we wear because we are comfortable in it.  It expresses who we are as individuals. Back then there was hardly a choice.” -Tiffany Moore

Trayvon’s choice just so happened to be a hoody. Was he trying to look hood? Was his motives to be some kind of drug dealer?
To look suspect like he was going to kill someone? Or rather was he just in his comfortable gear to get skittles and a drink?

Maybe it was cold outside and he wanted to keep his head warm. You never know someone’s situation until you are in their shoes. The question to ask is what are we doing to stop social injustices such as this?  Let’s fast forward to the present…Here’s what Senator Adams & Democratic Members did about it.. (see below)

Present (2012):

Senator Adams and Democratic Members of the NYS Legislature declare ” I am Trayvon Martin”

NYS SENATOR ADAMS JOINS WITH THE NEW YORK STATE LEGISLATURE IN WEARING HOODIES TO NYS LEGISLATIVE SESSION TO DRAMATIZE THE SHOOTING OF INNOCENT TRAYVON MARTIN

NYS Senator Eric Adams, other Senators and Assembly Members wore hoodies to the NYS Legislative Session.  The group wore the popular youth apparel to display their outrage over the shooting of young Trayvon Martin in Florida.  While walking home from the store, Trayvon Martin was killed by a member of a civilian patrol.

S/o to : http://www.nysenate.gov/blogs/2012/mar/26/senator-adams-and-democratic-members-nys-legislature-declare-i-am-trayvon-martin

RIP TRAYVON MARTIN.

OUR LOVE & PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE FAMILY & LOVED ONES WHO LOST SUCH A YOUNG SOUL. INJUSTICE MUST BE STOPPED.

-The UrbanXLifestyle Team

Posted by: Tiffany Moore 3/26/12