More Than Style: Fashion as Resistance at Westridge School

Article and Photos courtesy of WESTRIDGE SCHOOL JANUARY 19, 2026

To honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Westridge School Upper School Student Voices and the Black Student Union co-hosted an assembly exploring how fashion has long functioned as a powerful tool for expression, identity, and protest. Through thoughtful presentations, students examined the historical and cultural context of various styles – ranging from Dr. King’s “Sunday Best” and traditional church hats to the uniforms of the Black Panther Party and the elegance of dandyism. The assembly highlighted how these styles affirmed identity, fostered cultural belonging, and often served as symbols of resistance and empowerment within the Black Civil Rights Movement – many of which continue to influence modern fashion today. Pictured here are examples shared by students during their presentation.