Research into far-right extremist fashion trends

Researcher Elke Gaugele of the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts is conducting a three-year, $461,000 study titled ‘Fashion and Right-Wing Extremism’ funded by the Austrian Science Fund. The research examines how far-right and neo-Nazi groups utilize clothing to communicate messages and project specific identities.

The study traces the evolution of extremist fashion from 1990s bomber jackets and combat boots to contemporary styles, including streetwear, polo shirts, and ‘tradwife’ aesthetics. Researchers have noted a shift toward mainstream brand aesthetics, such as Nike, and a move by groups like the Identitarian movement to adopt a ‘hipster look’ to appear smart and hip.

Findings suggest that extremist fashion is highly parasitic, often copying mainstream trends. The research notes that because these styles frequently adopt designs from other social segments, clothing styles across the political spectrum have become increasingly similar, leading to the conclusion that ‘almost any style could be considered ‘far-right’ if it is worn by people the study authors consider right-wing.’