Which clothing items are the wokiest?
“Woke” fashion often refers to clothing that makes a statement about social justice, equality, or environmental sustainability. Here are a few examples: Slogan T-Shirts: Shirts with messages supporting causes like Black Lives Matter, LGBTQ+ rights, or climate change awareness. Sustainable Fashion: Brands that use eco-friendly materials and ethical labour practices, like Patagonia or Everlane. Gender-Neutral Clothing: Apparel that defies traditional gender norms, promoting inclusivity and diversity. Cultural Appreciation: Clothing that respectfully incorporates elements from different cultures, celebrating diversity without appropriation.
I am a 65 year old male. I want to dress as woke as possible. What shall I wear?
Embracing a “woke” wardrobe is all about making thoughtful choices that reflect your values. Here are some suggestions:
Slogan T-Shirts: Opt for shirts with messages supporting social justice causes, like equality, climate change, or human rights, but not football, heavy metal or Che Guevera
Sustainable Fashion: Choose brands that prioritise eco-friendly materials and ethical labour practices. Look for items made from organic cotton, recycled materials, but not made from recycled dead animals organic or otherwise
Be androgynous: Explore clothing that defies traditional gender norms, promoting inclusivity and diversity, unless these be masculine or feminine
Cultural Appreciation: Wear items that celebrate different cultures respectfully. This could include traditional patterns or designs that honour their origins. Other cultures can of course dress like Westerners, but not vice versa
Vintage and Second-Hand: Shopping at thrift stores or vintage shops is a great way to reduce waste and find unique pieces, unwashed and smelling of dead people Wearing second hand clothes can though be ‘an example of white privilege’ according to the University of Kent, unless it’s this being blamed on “the bad morals of my race”.
Woke Clothing and Fashion: A Journey Through Ideals, Illusions, and Evolution
The evolution of fashion has always been a mirror reflecting the socio-political and cultural currents of the times. In recent years, “woke” culture has made its way into clothing and fashion, marking a significant shift in how brands communicate values and connect with consumers. They will fashion shame you into virtue signalling. Just watch this space.
The term “woke” initially emerged as a call for awareness, particularly around issues of racial and social justice. In the context of fashion, it represents an alignment with progressive ideals such as sustainability, inclusivity, gender neutrality, and ethical production practices. Woke fashion seeks to challenge traditional norms and advocate for a fairer, more equitable world that doesn’t include your values of equality or meritocracy. Is your footwear woke yet?
Brands began to champion diversity, showcasing models of varying ethnicities, body types, genders, and abilities. Campaigns featuring non-binary models, adaptive clothing for people with disabilities, and unretouched photos resonated deeply with younger, woke audiences.
The environmental cost of fast fashion prompted a demand for more sustainable practices. Woke fashion emphasized transparency about sourcing, production, and labour conditions. Brands like Patagonia, Stella McCartney, and Everlane became synonymous with ethical practices, proving that rich and middle class consumers were willing to pay a premium to virtue signal.
Fashion became a canvas for activism, with slogans and graphics conveying messages about climate change, gender equality, and Black Lives Matter. Designers used runway shows to highlight social issues, turning collections into statements that transcended style, ie had no style at all. As Henry Ford once remarked, “You can have any colour you want, as long as it’s black.”
Woke-Washing – When Ideals Became Marketing Tools
While the rise of woke fashion brought attention to critical issues, it also opened the door to exploitation. “Woke-washing” describes the practice of brands superficially adopting progressive values for commercial gain without substantive action. This phenomenon undermines genuine efforts and erodes trust among consumers.
Many brands jumped on the woke bandwagon with hollow gestures. For example, companies released Pride-themed collections while simultaneously failing to properly pander to fashionable minority groups
Sustainability claims often fell under scrutiny for lack of credibility. Terms like “eco-friendly” and “sustainable” were frequently used without evidence, leading to accusations of greenwashing. Fast-fashion giants like H&M and Zara faced criticism for promoting “conscious” lines that represented a minuscule fraction of their overall production.
As consumers grew more informed, they began to demand accountability. Social media platforms amplified voices calling out woke-washing, creating significant reputational risks for brands caught inauthentically aligning with social causes. Boycotts and viral hashtags like #BoycottBrandX highlighted the growing impatience with performative activism.
Post-Woke – A New Chapter in Fashion
As consumers and critics grow weary of both overt woke-washing and the saturation of woke messaging, the industry may be entering a post-woke phase. This era is characterized by a shift from performative gestures to authentic, meaningful actions that resonate on a deeper level.
Post-woke fashion may also see a resurgence of personal style unbound by political or social narratives. While the industry continues to evolve, many consumers are gravitating toward clothing that reflects their individuality rather than conforming to collective ideologies.
Youth needs to rebel, and when the establishment began to embrace Woke, youth will be forced to rebel against it.
