Top Ten Aesthetics I Love On Black Women

An Ode to Black Women

By Published 2 years ago • 7 min read

Ever since I was a little girl, I have been guided and molded by the beautiful Black women in my life. Black women embody a sense of elegance and beauty that is not limited by one style. Unfortunately, I also grew up hearing the various judgments and negative stereotypes associated with Black womens’ styles. That always made me upset. Call it bias or obsession, I don’t mind at all. I call it self-love. I love myself freely and I love when other Black women are allowed to express and love themselves freely as well. Let’s get into the topic—ALL the aesthetics I personally LOVE on Black women.

1. LOCS, BRAIDS & PROTECTIVE STYLES

As a woman who started my own loc journey a couple of years ago, I will always admire and love women with locs. This style was literally made for curly & coily hair to grow and stay protected. With proper care and maintenance, locs are a saving Grace for many Black women (including me). The versatility is also unmatched. When my locs were still in the budding phase and I didn’t feel like styling them(or I didn’t know how); I was still able to still wear glueless wigs. Once they matured, I was able to try many fun styles that were gorgeously different and unique. I felt like a Queen.

Even though it is a commitment, the versatility and beauty can be worth it.However, braids and other protective styles like two-strand twists are just as versatile, beautiful and protective.

I remember growing up and hearing negative things about women with locs, long braids, bantu knots, anything that went against societal expectations of femininity. These hairstyles are not unprofessional, masculine or dirty. Society’s views can just be narrow and toxic.

I think it’s simply time to stop demonizing Black women for being themselves. Black women are allowed to want different things and express themselves however they choose. Period.

2. WIGS & HAIR PIECES

Even though wigs and hair pieces have been a part of Black women’s fashion for years, they are not exclusive to Black women. Wigs have been worn by all races and cultures, including people with straighter or finer hair. They can be worn by men as well and have for just as long as women.

However, there is something about how Black women wear their wigs and pieces that is simply iconic.

It is because of Black women that we have the most intricate, seamless and well-made wigs the world has ever seen.

I know many women, like the late and great Tina Turner, who even make their own wigs. I am not talented in such a way, but just witnessing the process is remarkable.

The process of choosing the correct hair, shaping the cap to snugly fit the person's head, and hand-sewing the hair to the cap requires so much patience and skill. Not to mention the process of bleaching, dying, cutting and styling. I’ve recently become aware of braised wigs as well. And oh my goodness! The people who create those are MASTERS!

Here’s one I found on Etsy:

3. HIGH FASHION & RUNWAY READY

Coco Chanel once said,

“Elegance is when the inside is as beautiful as the outside.”

That is exactly why some of the most elegant models and high-fashion icons are Black women. Models like Anok Yai, Tyra Banks, and the legendary Iman have proven that Black elegance is truly a show stopper.

Even if you are not a runway model, or don’t have the budget for high-fashion, there is nothing wrong with making your daily life your personal runway. Of course, no matter where you go, there will always be haters and those who try to dim your shine. The true essence of Black elegance is the ability to shine anyway.

4. AFRO GOTH & BLACK ALT

No person was ever meant to fit perfectly into any category or box. We are a spectrum of individuals with different tastes and styles. One of my absolute favorites aesthetics is goth or alternative. Everything about it: the unique hair colors and hairstyles, the punky/edgy cuts and patterns, and of course the dark, moody makeup. Marty this aesthetic with Black women and you have struck GOLD!

Another beautiful thing I love about seeing so many gorgeous Black women expressing themselves this way is that it breaks barriers. I don’t know about everyone, but I grew up during an era where Black girls weren’t allowed to listen to Paramore or My Chemical Romance. However, some of my favorite memories of childhood are from listening to Alternative Rock and punk with my best friends. We would fry our bangs with straighteners and hairspray, put on eyeliner and tease our hair during sleepovers. I love how more accepting society is for Black women who have chosen this style. We truly rock it!!

5. VINTAGE VIBES & CLASSY CHIC

There is a timeless, almost ethereal kind of vibe, whenever I see a Black woman dawning a vintage style. From the dramatic curls, the romantic pixies, the TV ready glam, and the timeless outfits that hug the body in all the right places; all coming together to create a wonderful classy aesthetic.

Most of us grew up seeing beautiful women, like: Grace Kelly, Marilyn Monroe, and Aubrey Hepburn in this type of style in vintage movies. However, I also think that most of us also remember seeing pictures of our grandmothers and great-grandmothers also in this vintage style. Many Black women during this time were just as beautiful, timeless, and classy.

Vintage Black icons include: Eartha Kitt, Dorothy Dandridge, Joesphine Baker, and Nina Simone; and that is just naming a few. Black women have always carved out a space for themselves in fashion, no matter the era or the trend.

6. NATURAL IN NATURE

Black women, I have a question…Have you seen how AMAZING we look in natural light? How our skin literally sparkles in the sunlight is one of the most breath-taking things I’ve ever seen.

Black women relaxed, soft, simple, unbothered, and in nature is one of my personal favorite aesthetics. Some people have called this aesthetic ‘Cottage Core’, but I think my name is more fitting. The reason why I call this ‘Natural in Nature’ is simply because of how freaking amazing we look in it.

Black women with their natural hair out, unbothered and beautiful is such a freeing thing to experience. Be free to let your curls and coils flow in the warm breeze. Be free to wear a simple and free-flowing dress with no shoes. Frolic in meadows and gardens like a dreamy forest fairy.

It's all so beautiful and lovely to see.

7. ANDROGYNOUS LOOKS

Breaking barriers of how Black women are allowed to look is so essential in moving forward. Seeing beautiful Black Women making style choices that push back against the rigidity of feminine and masculine fashion is absolutely amazing.

Whether you’re more curvy or have a slimmer figure, the sharp and straight lines of male fashion are surprisingly sexy on women! The boldness, sharp glamour of these looks is what makes this aesthetic so eye-catching. The main key is confidence. Let yourself rock the look, be effortless and relaxed and know that you’re slaying.

8. LONG NAILS / LONG EYELASHES

Now I know that long nails and long eyelashes aren’t for everyone, but I still love it whenever I see these style choices on Black women. I remember seeing recently in social media a throwback video paying homage to Black women’s Y2K fashion.

All of the elaborate and uniques hairstyles that remind me of the movie B.A.P.S and the long, colorful nails that

A lot of Black women receive hate for enjoying long nails and/or eyelashes, but I absolutely adore it.

Femininity is not a straight line. There is no right or wrong way to feel feminine and pretty. Historically, embellishments, accessories and techniques were used by millions of women to accentuate their eyes and eyelashes as well as their nails.

It doesn’t matter if you like your nails or your lashes long or short. As long as you feel feminine and beautiful. I personally feel like this look is beautiful and bold.

9. BONNETS/ HAIR SCARVES/ DURAGS

Black women definitely don’t need help with creating unique, beautiful and stylish ways to express themselves. However, I also love when Black women are able to be comfortable and cozy.

I’m definitely one of many women who wears a bonnet when relaxing. It’s natural and comfortable to not have to worry about your hair all the time.

Hair scarves are also a beautiful option that I love to see. The instant elegance that hair scarves give is so majestic.

Durags are another cute option. I’ve recently seen women with anime themed durags that are so cute.

All of these options are just more examples of how Black women’s ability to make almost everything cute and trendy.

10. BRIGHT COLORS

One of my first blog posts was entitled “Why Every Black Woman Should Own a Yellow Dress” and I still stand on that. However, I also noticed that I think Black women look amazing with bright colors, period.

Of course there is color theory and knowing what colors compliment your skin tone and undertones.

I personally find that the darker the skin-tone, the better bright colors look on the person. That’s just my opinion.

I think that it’s incredibly difficult to shop for bright and distinctive colors because we don’t always want to command that much attention. Most people opt for dark or neutral colors and patterns because they feel safer. I know I do!

CONCLUSION

Lately, I’ve been inspired by Black women who choose to boldly embrace new and different styles. It’s not about how much money you have, how fit you are, how tall you are, none of that. All that matters is how you feel about yourself.