Appreciation Isn’t Appropriation – Let People Wear What They Love

Unpopular opinion, maybe…but it needs to be said.

Can we all just stop fighting about fashion?

It’s become exhausting watching people tear each other down over something that, at its core, is meant to be an expression of creativity, individuality, and even reverence. Just because someone appreciates a particular style does not automatically make it “cultural appropriation.” There is a vast difference between mockery and mimicry, and genuine admiration and inspiration.

You don’t need to be Indigenous to wear moccasins, especially if they were handcrafted by Indigenous artisans who make their living by sharing their heritage with the world. You don’t need to be a 4th-generation rancher to wear Wranglers. You don’t need to prove your ancestry to wear fringe, feathers, turquoise, or a cowboy hat.

Here’s the thing: if a retailer is selling something to the public, it’s meant to be worn by the public. That’s the nature of commerce. That’s how art and design evolve, through shared influence and cross-pollination of cultures, eras, and identities.

Now, is there a line? Yes. It’s called respect.

Wearing something because it’s beautiful, meaningful, or empowering is very different than wearing it as a costume, a joke, or a watered-down version of something sacred. Cultural appropriation becomes an issue when the context is stripped and the culture is erased or commodified without acknowledgment or reciprocity. But when someone wears something with intentionality, appreciation, and understanding…it can be a bridge, not a barrier.

Fashion has always been political, emotional, and deeply personal. But when it turns into a battleground where we scrutinize each other for what we wear rather than who we are…it defeats the whole purpose.

Celebrate style. Celebrate the global, woven tapestry of influence. Support artisans, small businesses, Indigenous makers, and ethical brands. But please, let’s stop the fashion policing that does more harm than good.

Let people wear what makes them feel alive, confident, connected. That’s the power of style. That’s the beauty of being human, we are inspired by one another.

End of discussion. Or better yet, the start of a more respectful one.