While some may view clothing as everyday essentials or unimportant pieces of fabric, they can be used to represent so much more than that. For thousands of years, people have been profiled based on their appearance, and in today’s world, people are profiled based on what they wear. For many, fashion is much more than pieces of fabric sewn together; it is self-expression, reform, and involvement.

   Fashion is a language of resistance, and it has become clear that this form of silent protesting will only get louder. While wearing a white pin may not seem like much, the 2026 Grammys tell a different story. Various celebrities who attended the 2026 Grammys were seen showing off a white pin with the words “Ice Out” written on it with bold black letters.

  Additionally, many acceptance speeches, as well as outfits, were centered around our political climate, highlighting people’s immigrant predecessors as well as the importance of immigrants in our country. Singer Audrey Nuna paid homage to her family’s history as clothing manufacturers through her outfit selection. In an interview with an entertainment brand, she talked about how her custom Thom Browne look represented her family’s story of survival, noting that she is a proud daughter of immigrants (eonline.com).

   Although dressing to express what a person believes in has, for the most part, been about spreading a positive and urgent message, there have been parallels drawn between Adolf Hitler and U.S. Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino. As deportation continues to dominate political conversations, it is also becoming a visible theme in fashion. It has been noted that “Bovino’s outfits complete the Nazi look,” according to The Guardian. His outfit choices have even been described as a “fascist” aesthetic. Bovino’s brass-buttoned, calf-length olive-green coat sets him apart from the fatigues and body armor worn by federal agents, instead mirroring that of a Nazi officer (theguardian.com). Many believe that these outfit choices further demonize ICE, who use intimidation and tried-and-true tactics that have worked in the past.

   These choices in our appearance do not exist in isolation; they reflect the values, fears, and power structures that shape our society. History has shown us that clothing can be used to intimidate and divide, but it can also be used to uplift, honor heritage, and inspire change. Fashion is far more than fabric stitched together; it is identity, resistance, and storytelling. In moments when the world feels tense or uncertain, self-expression becomes its own form of participation. Whether through a red-carpet statement or everyday clothing, what we wear can help us stand for something larger than ourselves.