This morning, like every other day, people across the United States of America will wake up and get dressed. But in the aftermath of the 2024 Presidential election —as people grapple with the ramifications of a second Donald Trump presidency—many Americans have to summon the strength to get out of bed, pull on some clothes, and go on. As people attempted to carry on this morning, I couldn’t help but take stock of how New Yorkers dressed to face a world that has chosen hatred in its many forms.
I leaned into mourning in a black boatneck long-sleeve t-shirt and black jeans. I quickly found that I wasn’t alone. The first two young women I saw after I left my apartment were also cloaked in head-to-toe black.
Walking down the train platform in Williamsburg, Brooklyn felt like a funeral procession. During such precarious moments, our clothing takes on a bigger meaning. It becomes armor, a source of comfort, a signal of shared values.
Being surrounded by people in mourning clothes offered an unexpected moment of comfort and community. This morning, I walked along the street and waited for the train alongside people—mostly women—dressed in black suits, skirts, and dresses, bloodshot eyes veiled by dark glasses. I know they shared not only my same sartorial tendencies, but also my heartbreak over the election’s outcome and profound disappointment in those who voted against our best interests.
Fashion is an art, yes, but it is also foundational to our everyday lives. And .
