Safety Pins and Other Fashionable Political Statements

After America failed to elect Hillary Clinton as President of the United States just last week, millions of people nationwide felt something greater than disappointment: vulnerability. By electing Donald Trump into office, many feel like discrimination and harassment of women and minorities are somehow validated. It’s obvious why so many people feel unsafe in these uncertain times. Fortunately, change-makers are stepping up to the plate and taking steps to make marginalized groups feel safe and welcome again. This has come in many shapes and forms. The Hamilton cast’s moving statement to future Vice President Mike Pence is just one of many large-scale examples. But, there are many easy ways to make a difference that absolutely anybody can participate in. Some of them are even quite chic.

Flaunting your feminism, for one, has recently become a fashion trend. For instance, Chanel’s Spring 2015 collection involved a staged feminist protest. Dior’s recent Paris Fashion Week show involved many political t-shirts, including one that said “We Should All Be Feminists” that is vaguely reminiscent of the “Nasty Woman” shirts donned by Clinton supporters after her infamous presidential debate. If these runway trends teach us anything, it’s that we should all be unashamed of showing our affiliations through how we dress. I’m sure that announcing your feminist beliefs to the world makes other women feel safer: the larger the movement, the stronger it is. So, make a statement by wearing a political t-shirt. Classic white tees with writing on them are so versatile and never go out of style. And, if it’s cool enough for Dior, it’s most likely cool enough for you.

On the other hand, safety pins, which have recently become a political statement, have always been a staple in fashion. They’ve been used in many different ways on the runway, be it for pure decorative purposes like in this Martin Margiela piece or for a barely-held-together look such as this one by Versace.

They became political symbols when people started wearing a safety pin during the Brexit, as a silent protest against the election results and a subtle sign that they’re allied with the people who felt threatened by the direction of their country.  And, recently, it’s been adopted by those left heartbroken after the election for the exact same reasons. Though many people have criticized recent adopters of the safety pin for “not doing enough” to help the state of the country, the Internet is full of stories about how safety pin wearers are making a huge impact. By wearing safety pins, they are providing comfort to the marginalized and showing that they are available to help them, be it through saving them from uncomfortable situations or even just through commiseration. It’s a subtle way to make a political statement with your outfit if you’re not comfortable with screaming your views from the rooftops, like you would with a t-shirt.

Wearing a safety pin is simple enough: just stick one on the lapel of your favorite coat! Or, you could take advantage of the safety pin’s presence in fashion to feature it in your outfit a bit more creatively. And no, it won’t look out of place like it did on Miley Cyrus when she tested out the safety pin look in 2014.

Marc Jacobs is currently obsessed with the safety pin, and his collections offer many different ways to wear them. Though this fantastic safety pin scarf from 2013 is now sold out, Marc Jacobs has transformed the safety pin into coveted jewelry looks.

From left to right: Marc Jacobs Crystal Safety Pin Cuff ($87.50), Marc Jacobs Safety Pin Up Brooch ($95.00).

Of course, you don’t need to dip your toes into high fashion to come up with different ways to wear the safety pin. It’s easy to DIY a safety pin bracelet or necklace. It takes no time at all, and the end products are beautiful and certainly Pinterest-worthy.

Instructions here.

Or, if all of that still doesn’t suit you, you can’t go wrong with beautiful and subtle gold safety pin earrings.

Loren Stewart Yellow Gold Safety Pin Earrings, $275. Similar: Zara Pack Of Safety Pin Earrings, $15.90.

Obviously, you are not directly changing the world by wearing a safety pin or a graphic t-shirt. But, showing solidarity and standing up for what you believe in makes others feel safe. And, that’s what we need in the difficult months and years to come: signs that other people care. So, pick up a safety pin or a shirt. Let’s show each other that we’re all in this together.