Is this considered cultural appropriation, or is it "hippie" fashion?

Question

So I really, genuinely love dresses, skirts, shirts, and pants in this style. I asked my friends if they thought this was cultural appropriation, and they all answered no, that it's just hippie fashion. (Note, some of my friends are actually from Nigeria and agreed with the hippie fashion argument.) I really love this style, it's comfy and flowy and has bright colors and patterns that just make me really happy. BUT I am afraid to actually buy or wear anything like this because I'm white and I'm afraid I'd be appropriating African culture.

Please nothing mean, I'm asking so that I know the answer. I am actually curious and want various people's opinions on this.

MlleCake · Accepted Answer

If you are a white person wearing a caftan, which is what that is, you are appropriating a form of dress from the desert regions of the middle-East. But, this style of dress has been popular with white Americans and Europeans for over a century now, so I am not sure but it's not too late in terms of cultural appropriation.

That said, however, no white person should be going around with a dress covered in stereotypical images of African people on it. That's pretty much bullshit, and inexcusable. So, pick one that doesn't have the same pattern as the one you depicted, please.

Personally, I think fashion transcends culture, just like music does. There are ways of using fashion elements from other cultures that shows love and appreciation, and there are ways that show great disrespect for the culture. Drunk, partying white girls dancing around a music festival should probably not be mimicking the ceremonial headdresses of a people who have been nearly annihilated by white people. That's pretty fucking tacky.

I also don't expect a recently immigrated Nigerian to have a sense of how white vs. black culture politics have played out in the US before their arrival, so they may not even be the best to comment.

But let's take something besides the caftan. Let's take braided "cornrow' hairstyles. In the US black people are PUNISHED and prevented from wearing their hair that way. But cute little white girls can wear it with impunity. It should be that anyone can wear their hair that way without getting shit for it because it is one of the sensible ways people can keep their hair neat and out of the way for days. But because it was culturally associated with blacks it was therefore condemned as unprofessional, trashy, etc. and it is STILL condemned for those things. There are many workplaces where people of African descent are prevented from wearing many traditional hairstyles, which came from centuries of learning how to work with their own hair, in the texture their hair comes in. Many black people feel pressured to make their hair "good" or more smooth like a white person's hair. And we still culturally condemn a lot of "black culture" as being gangster, ghetto, trashy, etc. So it adds insult to injury when a white person takes something from that culture when most of the time we benefit from white privilege and never have to experience the consequences of systemic, centuries long, racial biases.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

I admire the fact that you're even thinking about it. Most would just put something on from another culture, and not give two thoughts, but to just think about it, shows me that perhaps you have a little more understanding or respect for another's culture enough to even ask whether this is appropriate or not.

These things can be a fine line with some people. You mention your friends not having a problem with it, but those are friends, and others might not see it the same way, but that is the risk you take. I do think perhaps once people see you genuinely love these aspects of another culture, it can become less of an issue... for some.

For me personally, I genuinely love traditional Mexican and Indian clothing. A lot of it is so bright and colorful, and the embroidery is just gorgeous, but that being said, I'm not showing up to a Mexican wedding or an Indian cultural celebration wearing their traditional clothing. I view it in my mind as a sign of respect in the same way, I wouldn't show up to a nunnery wearing a habit because I really liked the way their robes looked. Some clothing has a specific purpose and meaning and history to those who wear it that isn't 'just' a fashion statement.

Whatever you do, wear it, or don't, at least you may have an understanding why some might take offense.

TacosRAwesome · Accepted Answer

I view cultural appropriation as using something from another culture in order to make money and then calling the culture you got it from dirty for example. So since you don't make money out of it, it is not.

candycanehearts · Accepted Answer

I don't know about the culture but it kinda just looks like hippie stuff, but i mean people where oher cultral things, i dont think its really rude unless ur wearing it to make fun of it

winterfox10 · Accepted Answer

I consider wearing that dress as a casual, everyday thing cultural appropriation, but not if you were taking part in a special African cultural event. Here's the reason why, told through an example: I'm a white guy, and I really love Indian culture, it's fascinating! I like the music, the food, the women, the dancing, the movies, I really enjoy learning about it all! Every year the Indians celebrate Holi and Diwali, which are religious holidays, and are very fun to be a part of. White people mostly get involved with Holi, because you get to throw color dust at each other. Diwali is slightly less popular for non Indians. Men will traditionally wear a kind of beige smock to Diwali dances. Now, I would LOVE to go to a Diwali celebration, but if I did, I would go in a suit, or, if I was taking part in a special dance group, I would wear the smock, and just change into it for the special dance. The reason? It just looks weird for a big white guy to wear Indian clothing.

Wally48 · Accepted Answer

The therm "cultural appropriation" is a term used by guilt-ridden white liberals to judge and control other peoples behavior. So using their rectally generated logic, only the French could own French Provincial furniture, only Americans can play baseball, and I'd have to return my Japanese kimono robe.
Cultural exchange is a good thing for the world, and makes life far more interesting. Perhaps people who judge using the term "cultural appropriation" should spend some time in a third world country helping others out rather than tell people back home what to wear or how to furnish their house.
My advice to you is to don't give a fuck what other people think, and wear what you are proud of.

wolecollner · Answer

Cultural appropriation doesn't exist... the world is globalised more and more everyday because of trade and the internet. It's not racist to dress like Moana for Halloween as a white girl. It's not wrong tinhave dreads as a white person. Cultures can't copyright fashion or ideas. They can be credited for coming up with them but cultural appropriation is just an over offensive liberal idea that means nothing. Wear what you want when you want

jimyee · Answer

Honestly that could just as easily be thought the be from southwest native American or Mexican.
People need to get over this will cultural appropriation crap. Cultures mix and we adopt other styles. Its natural progression, without it we have this little thing called segregation and we might as well just start sitting on different ends of the bus again.

ZeussLightningBolt · Answer

Who the hell cares? Even fi it is, so what? Cultural appropriation is cultural appreciation. You can wear whatever the hell you want. This cultural appropriation bullshit is getting ridiculous!
You can't even wear something now without asking others if it offends them.

worldscolide · Answer

Cultural appropriation is not a thing.. it's an idiotic buzz word used to shame people for embracing other cultures. It's nonsense.

If it were real, than I'd suggest any one who isn't white European stop using cars, houses, electricity immediately seeing as those items were part of American and European culture.. see how ridiculous that sounds?

So no your dress choice is not cultural appropriation. If you like it than wear it proudly.

SirRexington · Answer

Cultural appropriation is not a bad thing. It's another person from a different culture admiring and showing homage to it. Really it's cultural appreciation.

wankiam · Answer

hippies have been wearing stuff like that since the sixties and while it is taken from another culture, isn't just about everything nowadays in this huge melting pot we call the human race?

mr-2slow · Answer

Cultural appropriation is bullshit that some person came up with cause they couldn't find anything else to bitch about all culture is a mix of every culture their is no such thing as appropriation

TheFunkyThumb · Answer

Any time anyone brings up cultural appropriation i just ask them when. When did the "culture" im appropriating invent it? Almost every time that culture got it from someone else

Xoxoroxy · Answer

It isn't supposed to be this deep. Just wear what you love to wear ❤

memyselfandiamhere · Answer

What the fudge is this whole cultural appropriation Thing. You want to wear something, you wear it. Also.. isn't culture ment to ne shared?

alice55 · Answer

It look like what Arabian women wear. I know a lot of them who wear this kind of dress.

Eleventy · Answer

Cultural appropriation is a nonsensical and incoherent idea. Wear whatever you want, whenever you want, for any reason you want. Anyone who has a problem with it, it's their problem to solve and not yours.

Hannajenky · Answer

Cultural appropriation is bullshit argument. Celebrate your culture without worrying about what other people Re doing

Anonymous · Answer

Depends who you ask, but the best approach to this is to assume that everyone thinks it is and then disregard them because cultural appropriation isn't real.

Juxtapose · Answer

When people mention "Cultural appropriation" unironicly, I go out of my way to offend them. Fuck SJWs.

LadyAvon · Answer

Cultural appropriation is bullshit because we're one big human race.

dannyuk · Answer

Truthfully who cares what anyone's thinks wear what you like

anon08 · Answer

The people that belive in cultural appropration are the same ones that believe Earth is flat.

Lumberman53TheMeowch · Answer

There's no such thing as cultural appropriation you're free to wear what you want and practice whatever culture you want. The whole concept actually segregates people anyway.

LegateLanius · Answer

Cultural appropriation is a bullshit concept and should go the way of the dinosaur.

HereIbe · Answer

"Cultural appropriation" is a phrase that actually means "Please make a great deal of fun of me, because I am a self-important crybaby."

LittlePrince85 · Answer

Nothing wrong with appreciating someone else's culture.

Anonymous · Answer

Please don't use "cultural appropriation" its literally only used by dumb fucking people that only get butthurt when a white person does something. Do what you want

thebamboozler · Answer

Who cares what dumb ass liberals think? Wear it if you like it.

JustGiveMeAUsername · Answer

Wth you can wear whatever the fuck u want

savalisk · Answer

Its called wearing whatever makes you happy.

weaverman · Answer

Wear it with pride its a lovely garment

matneyj · Answer

Being comfy in it and who ya are. Why not?

Zama6 · Answer

Pakistani and Indian girls also wear this dress

Noora1 · Answer

No its not

chatwanderer · Answer

Hey you can wear anything you want

Anonymous · Answer

It is a cultural cloth

Is this considered cultural appropriation, or is it "hippie" fashion?

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Is this considered cultural appropriation, or is it "hippie" fashion?

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