The ‘Folk Feminism’ Roots Of The Latina ‘Chola’ Look

*From the article: “The chola aesthetic was first forged by the marginalized Mexican American youths of Southern California. It embodies the remarkable strength and creative independence it takes to survive in a society where your social mobility has been thwarted by racism.” VL

By Rigoberto Hernandez, Remezcla

A high-fashion designer in Paris recently copied their look on the runway, Rihannadressed like one for Halloween, and Gwen Stefani’s been ripping them off basically forever. It’s the “chola look,” a Mexican-American female aesthetic that’s now being appropriated by celebrities. Think white sleeveless undershirts, Dickies pants with suspenders, thinly plucked eyebrows, maroon lips with a lot of liner, big Aquanet-enabled bangs, and a general “don’t mess with me” vibe.

Vice has a great article by writer and art historian Barbara Calderón-Douglass that traces the origins of the chola aesthetic back to WWII, when “pachucas,” the precursors of cholas, in Los Angeles started playing with a new look that flew against the hyper-girly, bobby sox and poodle skirt look of mainstream feminine fashion of the time:

Click HERE to read the full story.