The Fashion Sense of Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr accomplished many great things in his life. He dedicated his life to helping black Americans gain more freedom and rights. His impact on history is astounding and due to his contributions, we celebrate him every year. MLK is honored every year on the third Monday of January, which is around his true birthday, January 15.

Aside from his many historical accomplishments, MLK was one finely dressed man. He took his task as a Civil Rights leader seriously and dressed the part. MLK was a fashion forward gentleman who took pride in his outfits. Below you’ll find some of our favorite MLK fashion moments.

In this photo, MLK is dressed in a stylish dinner robe. Even his posture exudes excellence, and his choice in fashion helped to emphasize the look.

Here, MLK is standing surrounded by books with a nice casual top, tucked into his pants. His top says that he is calm and collected. The few buttons that he left undone is a nice touch and speaks to the overall casual feel of this photo.

MLK is sporting a fantastic straw hat in this photo, along with a fashionable shirt. His style here shows that he is ready to put in some hard work but look good while doing it.

Lastly, MLK knew how to wear a suit well. He wore suits to many events and speeches. This power outfit told the world that MLK meant business.

Martin Luther King Jr’s choice in clothing was very fashion forward for his time. While focusing on so many things, such as the Civil Rights Movement, MLK still took time to make sure his outfits were on point. His choices in fashion helped to further his message of power and peace. On this day, we celebrate a great man who made change possible while looking his best.

You too can let your clothes speak for you as Martin Luther King Jr did. Check out our preview of the Black History Month Collection and find something that helps you express yourself. 

Would MLK have had the same effect on people and institutions if he had worn different clothes? Let us know what you think in the comments.