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Clothing and Textiles Research Journal
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African-American Aesthetic of Dress: Current Manifestations

Gwendolyn S. O'Neal

Department of Consumer and Textile Sciences, Columbus, Ohio 43210-1295, oneal.1 @ osu.edu

This paper presents support for an African-American aesthetic of dress that has its roots in West African culture. The objectives were to determine (a) how an African-American aesthetic of dress is currently manifested and (b) the values and attitudes relative to that aesthetic. An afrocentric methodology that employs an interpretative paradigm was used in the study. This methodology assumes a culturally centered analysis of discourse in which human actions, emotions, and attitudes are interpreted and understood within the context of the culture of the speaker and listener. Protocol resulting from in-depth interviews with 45 female and male informants was interpreted in order to obtain an understanding of an African-American aesthetic of dress. The aesthetic consists of four elements: The affinity for "high affect" colors; "style" or individual expression; improvisations and exotic features; and the tendency to dress up. These elements are supported by metaphysical beliefs congruent with the African ethos of unity and oneness.

Key Words: aesthetic • African-American dress • culture • ethnicity.

Clothing and Textiles Research Journal, Vol. 16, No. 4, 167-175 (1998)
DOI: 10.1177/0887302X9801600403
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