Black History Month is a time to celebrate and honor the accomplishments and contributions of African Americans throughout U.S. history. Many people show their support for Black History Month by wearing the pan-African colors of red, black, and green. Here is some background on these colors and tips for incorporating them into your Black History Month wardrobe.
The Meaning Behind the Pan-African Colors
The pan-African colors of red, black, and green each have special meaning:
- Red represents the blood that was shed by Africans who died in the struggle for liberation.
- Black represents the color of the skin of Africans.
- Green represents the natural wealth of Africa.
These colors were first used in the 1920s by the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League founded by Marcus Garvey. They became popular as a symbol of Black pride and liberation.
Ways to Wear the Pan-African Colors
Here are some ideas for incorporating red, black, and green into your Black History Month attire:
Monochromatic Looks
Go for an all-red, all-black, or all-green look. This could be a red shirt with red pants, an all-black dress, or an emerald green suit.
Color Blocking
Try color blocking with red, black and green pieces. For example, pair a red top with black pants and green shoes.
Accessories
Add pan-African colored accessories to your outfits like:
- Red hat
- Black purse
- Green scarf
Jewelry
Wear jewelry featuring red, black and green gems like:
- Ruby earrings
- Onyx ring
- Emerald necklace
Makeup
Incorporate the pan-African colors into your makeup choices:
- Red lipstick
- Black eyeliner
- Green eyeshadow
Nail Polish
Paint your nails red, black or green.
Outfit Ideas
Here are some specific outfit ideas that use the pan-African colors:
| Outfit | What to Wear |
|---|---|
| All Red | Red shirt, red pants, red heels |
| Black and Green | Black dress, green jacket, green earrings |
| Color Blocking | Red blouse, black skirt, green belt |
| Red Accessories | White dress, red headband, red heels, red clutch |
Tips for Men
Here are some tips for men on wearing red, black and green for Black History Month:
- Red button down shirt with black pants and green tie
- Black suit with red shirt and pocket square
- Green cardigan over black shirt and red chinos
- Red and green striped socks with a black suit
- Black shoes with red laces and green soles
Tips for Women
Here are some tips for women on wearing the pan-African colors for Black History Month:
- Red dress with black tights and green heels
- Green blouse with black skirt and red belt
- Black pantsuit with red blouse underneath
- Red headwrap with black dress and green jewelry
- Green nail polish on fingers and red on toes
Tips for Children
Dress kids up in pan-African colors too with ideas like:
- Red hoodie with black sweatpants and green sneakers
- Black leggings with a green and red striped dress
- Red shirt with black shorts and a green baseball cap
- Green bowtie with a black vest and red button down
Buying Pan-African Color Clothing
You can buy clothing in red, black and green for Black History Month from:
- African American owned clothing brands and boutiques
- Online stores like Etsy that feature Black-owned businesses
- Local African and Caribbean clothing stores
- Major retailers carrying special collections for Black History Month
Support Black-owned businesses when shopping for your Black History Month attire.
Conclusion
Wearing the pan-African colors of red, black, and green is a great way to celebrate Black History Month. Be creative in mixing and matching these meaningful colors in your outfits. Look for clothing from Black-owned businesses to really tie together your Black History Month style.