black. bold. dandy. what is black dandyism? and why it’s the ultimate flex
image credit: tyler mitchell/vogue
as the 2025 met gala prepares to show out with the theme superfine: tailoring black style, it’s time to turn our attention to one of fashion’s most radical, refined, and resistant traditions: black dandyism.
this isn’t just about wearing a good suit. it’s about reclaiming power, making a statement, and looking damn good while doing it.
so… what is black dandyism, anyway?
image credit: collis torrington
black dandyism is more than an aesthetic—it’s a cultural response. it’s where tailored fashion meets defiance, where elegance meets rebellion.
born out of eras when black people were denied humanity and style was seen as a luxury, dandyism became a tool for self-expression, liberation, and resistance.
imagine showing up in crisp, three-piece suits, patterned silk, and velvet loafers at a time when your very presence was politicized. that’s power.
a stylish legacy: from the 1700s to today
the og’s
black dandyism traces back to figures like julius soubise, a formerly enslaved man in 18th-century england who lived lavishly—fencing with aristocrats and dripping in high fashion. in the u.s., frederick douglass used fashion as a form of dignity and protest, always immaculately dressed while advocating for freedom.
the harlem renaissance & jazz age
image credit: the metropolitan museum of art
the 20th century brought a cultural boom—and a style revolution. enter the zoot suit, the jazz tuxedo, and all the swagger of harlem’s elite. duke ellington, langston hughes, and cab calloway turned tailoring into performance art.
modern-day dandies
today, black dandyism thrives on red carpets, runways, and Instagram feeds. think:
• billy porter – theatrical tailoring meets unapologetic queerness
image courtesy: getty images
• andré 3000 – eclectic, vintage, bold
image credit: getty images
• jidenna – afro-futurism wrapped in a three-piece
image credit: paul archuleta/wireimage for getty images
• colman domingo – where legacy meets luxury
image credit: max cisotti/dave benett/getty images
• law roach – stylists and storyteller changing the rules
image credit: tyler mitchell/vogue
each one pushes the boundaries of masculinity, fashion, and identity.
why it still matters
image credit: tyler mitchell/vogue
black dandyism isn’t just retro. it’s revolutionary.
it’s a statement against erasure. a refusal to be invisible. a reminder that joy, beauty, and care are acts of resistance—especially when expressed through something as visible as fashion.
and this year, as the met gala honors the tradition with superfine: tailoring black style, the world gets to witness what we’ve always known: black style isn’t just influential—it’s the blueprint.
want to dress like a modern dandy?
image credit: pascal le segretain/getty images
here’s how to channel the look (sustainably, of course):
• thrift tailored pieces with flair—think colored suits, vintage silk shirts, bold lapels
• accessorize like it’s a sport: hats, brooches, scarves, pocket squares
• mix eras and challenge norms: play with gender, color, and silhouette
• most importantly: wear it with purpose. Every thread tells a story.
need help finding secondhand gems? browse user swaps on the app.
final stitch
black dandyism is about more than clothes. it’s about carving space, commanding attention, and showing up fully adorned in your truth.
as we head into the 2025 met gala, let’s honor the legacy and the looks—because when it comes to superfine style, black folks have always understood the assignment.
