Throughout history, protests have proven effective in bringing about change, and the present era is no different. Whether participating in the Women’s March or joining the trending #EndSars movement, people stand on the front lines to make their voices heard. However it’s not just their presence that makes a statement; their clothing does as well. You can you send a message by wearing garments with political significance.
The wardrobe items you choose for a demonstration can actually protect you from harm. Wear a face mask to lessen the spread of a virus, a pair of sunglasses to shield your eyes from tear gas, and a hands-free bag to make sure your belongings are secure. Your clothing must be both functional and durable.
It is important you are prepared when you leave your home to protest, and that includes the outfit you choose.
Find some tips on what to wear to a protest.
Sneakers
Protesting often means a lot of walking. So, comfortable footwear is a must. But you’ll want to go with a pair of running shoes without any flashy colours, details or logos, so you won’t call attention to yourself.
Backpack
A backpack is great for keeping your smaller essentials for the long day ahead. This can include everything from a water bottle, snacks, to your keys, wallet and first aid kit.
Black or dark-coloured clothing
Dressing in all black and dark-coloured protest clothing will help you blend in if necessary. It also helps you maintain a low-profile both in pictures and in person.
Fitted clothing
Wearing close-fitting garments is essential in case things escalate and you need to remove yourself from the situation. It will allow you to run a lot faster than you would with loose clothing.
Face mask
With COVID-19 still raging around the country, you don’t want to throw away virus safety regulations just because you’re protesting. Though sometimes you can’t avoid walking shoulder-to-shoulder with others, make sure to cover your face with a non-medical, cloth face mask for your own protection and others.
Wear sunglasses or eyeglasses
Whether they are prescription glasses or sunglasses to shield your eyes from the sun, glasses of any kind are a solid protection from pepper spray; help with tear gas, and act as a barrier if anything is physically thrown in your direction. If you wear contacts, try to avoid that amid a protest, as sprays and gasses can get trapped between the lens and your eye, causing excessive pain.
Avoid jewelry
In the same vein as a handbag, try to remove all jewelry, if possible. Not only is it easy to get broken, caught on someone else’s clothing, or ripped off, it can also pose a health hazard if your ring finger is stepped on or your necklace is pulled, for example.
Baseball cap
Consider donning a baseball cap for crowded protests. It will provide you with anonymity, protect you from the beating sun, rain, or other weather element, and also give you a little extra facial protection.
Durable fabrics
There is a large possibility that when marching in such a large crowd, you could be pushed or knocked to the ground. While you can’t totally avoid that outcome, you can make sure that you wear durable fabrics that will be more difficult to rip.
Long pants
In keeping with the above, long pants are a must, and long sleeves are preferable as well. Whether it’s to protect you from the elements or tripping and falling, it’s best to cover up as much as possible.
Nondescript clothing
For your own safety (and the safety of others), try to fly as under-the-radar as possible with a nondescript head-to-toe outfit.
Fresh clothing
Whether you get shoved in the mud, pepper-sprayed, or hit with a chemical that lingers, make sure to have another outfit on hand carried in a backpack or oversize fanny pack. You might just have to layer up a bit more in the best case, but the worst case might require a full-blown outfit change.
