Back to Our Raices: Mexican American Fashion as a Mode of Representation and Resistance

Location

PANEL: Communication Capstone Pt. II
CELA Moffett
Moderator: Cortney Smith

Document Type

Presentation - Open Access

Start Date

5-1-2026 3:30 PM

End Date

5-1-2026 4:30 PM

Abstract

When the Trump Administration took office in 2024, the increase in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportations of Mexican, Mexican Americans, and other people of color within the United States sparked fear along with outrage within our communities. Protests nationwide have taken place to show community opposition to the mass deportations. This includes acts of protest through clothing worn by the Mexican American community. A silent yet powerful mode of resistance that has historically been seen with Zoot Suits and the Cholo/a aesthetic. This paper in conjunction with a curated fashion show, will seek to answer the question: What are Mexican Americans saying with their style right now in 2026? In a time when being visibly Mexican can lead to arrest, why are individuals choosing to dress ethnically? Through research on previous political movements' use of clothing to resist, I rely on Communication theories of the racialized gaze, and self-perception to argue that contemporary Mexican American style is an active form of resistance that reconnects one to her individual raices (roots). Individuals do this by implementing traditional Mexican clothing elements (embroidery, vibrant colors, ranchero/a attire, religious iconography) into their own styles, while also calling back to previous clothing eras the community is known for (pachuco/a & cholo/a). Although visibility may lead to danger, these updated call backs are reminders to outside viewers that the community has been in these disprivileged positions before but will continue to express their culture creatively and proudly.

Keywords:

Fashion, Communication, Latinx clothing, Mexican American

Notes

Presenter: Natalie Gamino

Major

Communications

Project Mentor(s)

Cortney Smith, Writing and Communication

2026

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May 1st, 3:30 PM May 1st, 4:30 PM

Back to Our Raices: Mexican American Fashion as a Mode of Representation and Resistance

PANEL: Communication Capstone Pt. II
CELA Moffett
Moderator: Cortney Smith

When the Trump Administration took office in 2024, the increase in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportations of Mexican, Mexican Americans, and other people of color within the United States sparked fear along with outrage within our communities. Protests nationwide have taken place to show community opposition to the mass deportations. This includes acts of protest through clothing worn by the Mexican American community. A silent yet powerful mode of resistance that has historically been seen with Zoot Suits and the Cholo/a aesthetic. This paper in conjunction with a curated fashion show, will seek to answer the question: What are Mexican Americans saying with their style right now in 2026? In a time when being visibly Mexican can lead to arrest, why are individuals choosing to dress ethnically? Through research on previous political movements' use of clothing to resist, I rely on Communication theories of the racialized gaze, and self-perception to argue that contemporary Mexican American style is an active form of resistance that reconnects one to her individual raices (roots). Individuals do this by implementing traditional Mexican clothing elements (embroidery, vibrant colors, ranchero/a attire, religious iconography) into their own styles, while also calling back to previous clothing eras the community is known for (pachuco/a & cholo/a). Although visibility may lead to danger, these updated call backs are reminders to outside viewers that the community has been in these disprivileged positions before but will continue to express their culture creatively and proudly.