It can be so easy to think of celebrity fashion as frivolous or just about being glamorous in that red carpet moment. We've all seen the best- and worst-dressed lists that make celebrity fashion seem like something that isn't meant to be taken seriously. Although we love a beautiful ball gown moment — or an epic fashion fail — as much as anyone, we're also really interested in the times when fashion is about so much more than just looking sexy or pretty.
Fashion, including celebrity fashion, has always been used to make social or political statements, just as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez did at the 2021 Met Gala in her instantly iconic "Tax the Rich" dress. But statements aren't just for the Met Gala anymore!
Thanks to the power of social media, celebrities are no longer limited to making social or political fashion statements on the red carpet. From casual T-shirts with strong social justice statements on Instagram to outfits specifically chosen to support particular political candidates (on both sides of the spectrum), celebrities are getting more open about their values, politics, and the causes that inspire them.
Cara Delevingne
It is kind of hard to talk about Cara Delevingne's 2021 Met Gala outfit without explaining what pegging is, but that's what Google is for, right? Even though pegging should always be consensual, we can't argue with the idea of making the patriarchy feel rather uncomfortable.
Joy Villa
Joy Villa is an actress and a singer, but she's arguably more famous for using her fashion choices to promote her conservative political beliefs. Her red, white, and blue look at the 2020 Grammy Awards leaned into her support for Donald Trump and the Republican party, as she had done in previous years.
Dan Levy
Just when we thought we couldn't love the adorable and hilarious Dan Levy any harder, he pops up on Instagram rocking a radical feminist T-shirt. The shirt is a simple but powerful reminder that, yes, men can and should be feminists too! And if they can also be funny and have great eyebrows? Bonus!
Megan Mullally
Breonna Taylor was a 26-year-old woman who was killed by police in 2020 while she was sleeping in her apartment. Her death — another in a sad series of extrajudicial killings of Black people by law enforcement officers — prompted many people, including actress Megan Mullally, to call for accountability. In this case, T-shirts and Instagram photos are part of a larger movement.
Orlando Bloom
Both Katy Perry and her partner Orlando Bloom love to use fashion to promote their social values. We love that Katy captured a photo of Orlando rocking a woman power sweatshirt — perfect for any dad to wear, especially a brand-new girl dad like Orlando!
Katy Perry
Katy Perry has never been shy about being political. She's been a regular supporter of top Democratic politicians, performing at rallies and events to support both candidates and voting rights. This very patriotic look was her way of showing up and showing out in support of voting rights and encouraging others to vote.
Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift has had an interesting evolution when it comes to making social and political statements. She's transitioned from being quiet and cautious about offending conservative fans to becoming an outspoken LGBTQ ally, which she shows in this rainbow-themed nod to Pride Month and her song You Need To Calm Down.
LeBron James
There are always critics who think athletes should just "shut up and play," but thankfully LeBron James has never been the one to listen to them. He wore this shirt following the January 6 US Capitol insurrection.
As he stated on his Instagram account, "DO YOU UNDERSTAND NOW???!! I know the answer to that. You still don't 'cause no matter what happens you still won't be judged, looked at crazy, chained, beaten, hung, shot to death cause of the color of your skin!!!! 2 AMERIKKKAS we live in and it was at FULL CAPACITY LIVE IN DIRECT yesterday in our Nations CAPITAL AT THE CAPITOL!!"
Megan Rapinoe
One of our favorite sports couples is soccer hero Megan Rapinoe and her basketball-playing sweetie, Sue Bird. The two sported matching "VOTE" face masks (very 2020 vibes right there) to encourage sports fans to make sure they hit the polls for the last election.
Laverne Cox
It is almost painful how gorgeous Laverne Cox is and she's also super thoughtful, noting that this shirt was about how powerful women are. "I want to also remind myself and you all of just how far we still have to go. Women live in a world full of doubt, sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, economic oppression, and more. It has been and will continue to be difficult," she wrote on Instagram.
"We work to have our voices heard and our wants and needs met. This post is a reminder that you, my dear, are heard. You are beautiful and powerful with the voice you choose to echo. Barriers were meant to be broken. I believe women and girls are making change every day and for that, I'm proud to be a woman."
Jason Sudeikis
It is so perfect that Jason Sudeikis wore a sweatshirt with the names of three Black British soccer stars to the season two red carpet premiere of Ted Lasso. The three players were subjected to racist abuse online following England's loss in the 2020 Euro Cup.
"And they caught a lot of guff online, the three young Black men," Jason explained to Stephen Colbert. "And our show is rooted in both, you know, despising things like bullying and racism or whatnot, but it also is rooted and takes place in London, in England. And so yeah, it was just our way to use this big fancy premiere to spotlight them and let them know we got their back."
Tracee Ellis Ross
Tracee Ellis Ross is a celebrity who seems to really love fashion. She always makes interesting and intentional fashion choices, so there is no doubt that even a more casual jeans and T-shirt look has a purpose. This time, it was to show her support for Raphael Warnock, then a candidate and now a senator from Georgia.
Viola Davis
Sometimes fashion takes the form of a gigantic ball gown. But sometimes the statement is found in the smaller looks, such as this bandana accessory from Viola Davis. Viola is an outspoken supporter of women's rights, including the fundamental right to choose that was and is under attack in states like Texas.
Connie Britton
Yes, Connie Britton is an amazing actress (we will forever love her character Tami Taylor from Friday Night Lights). But she is also a mom to a 10-year-old son and likely has the same anxiety that many of us do about gun violence, especially in schools.
Pearl Jam
One of the worst moments of a celebrity using fashion to make a political statement was the terrible "I really don't care, do U?" jacket worn by former first lady Melania Trump in 2018 on a visit to see detained children. We much prefer this jacket posted in response by Pearl Jam.
