Yara Shahidi knows how to make a statement.
The grown-ish actress has become an incredible fashionista over the last few years, cultivating a style all her own. But the best part? The way she uses her outfits to make her political opinions known.
For Yara, fashion has always been political. She told Teen Vogue in 2018,
“I wear a ton of political T-shirts because I get to wear things that state my political opinions. Fashion is associated with an ideology. You could wear a beret, but when you tilt it to the side, you go from Parisian to Black Panther.”
But her clothing is just the beginning of her activism. The actress started We Vote Next (formerly Eighteenx18), which empowers Gen-Zers to get involved and take the issues into their own hands. She’s also interviewed Michelle Obama (who even wrote her college recommendation letter!), spoke at the Women’s March, and has used her platform to educate her fans on issues of equality, police brutality, feminism, and more.
So, to honor Yara, we put together a collection of her very best looks that bring together her style with her politics.
1. Respect My Existence
Yara rocking Hstry‘s “Respect Existence or Expect Resistance” at Glamour‘s 2017 International Day of the Girl. The brand is owned by rapper Nas (who also happens to be her cousin!).
2. Afros Out
Yara carrying a “Fists Up Afros Out” tote by the brand, aptly named, Fists Up Afros Out. That specific bag is no longer available but you can check out their new tote here.
3. VOTE!
Yara wearing Tory Burch’s iconic “Vote” t-shirt — the same one her eponymous Barbie wears!
4. Stronger Together
Yara with black-ish co-star Tracee Ellis Ross speaking at the 2016 Women’s March wearing the classic “Stronger Together” tee.
5. Black Lives Matter
Say it louder for the people in the back!
6. Stand with Immigrants
Yara showing her support for immigrants back in 2017.
7. Human Rights
Why stick to one issue when you can tackle them all? Yara wearing the Revolutionary Intersectional Love Is Love T-Shirt in April of this year.
More Political T-Shirts to Love:
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Lena Finkel is the Editor and Founder of Femestella. Prior to starting Femestella, she worked at People, InStyle, and Tiger Beat. Her favorite Housewife is Bethenny Frankel and when she’s not watching RHONY, you can probably find her obsessing over her tuxedo cat Tom or hoarding drugstore lipsticks.
