Self-expression and creativity
Students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have long embraced fashion as a means of self-expression and creativity. From themed dress days to embracing early 21st century trends, the HBCU campus has its own unique fashion culture that allows students to explore their personal style and identity.
Themed dress code days
HBCU campuses are hotbeds of themed dress down days. These events allow students to dress up as characters from their favorite movies, TV shows, or books. Themed dress down days are a way to showcase creativity and individuality, as well as an opportunity to connect with others.
The early 2000s revival
Early 21st-century trends such as low-rise jeans, colored hair and sequins are making a comeback on the Harvard Business School campus. These trends represent a nostalgia for the past and a challenge to mainstream fashion.
Fashion Clubs
Fashion clubs, such as Fashion X-Cetera, provide a space for students to learn about fashion, explore fashion interests, and come together for the love of fashion. These clubs host workshops, events, and performances that expose students to fashion in meaningful ways.
Respected Politics
The history of fashion on the HBCU campus is rooted in the politics of respectability. in the 20th century, students at Harvard Business School used their dress codes to challenge the dominant norms and demonstrate their intelligence and ability. This tradition of using fashion as a form of empowerment and self-expression continues to shape the culture of today’s HBCU campuses.