Here are some historical examples of hairstyles being used to communicate political affiliations or beliefs ¹ ² ³:
- During the 1960s civil rights movement in the U.S., activists wore dashikis and other African-inspired clothing to show pride in their heritage and protest against racial discrimination.
- In the 1970s, the punk rock movement saw young people wearing ripped clothing, safety pins and other DIY fashion to rebel against mainstream culture and express their dissatisfaction with the status quo.
- During the 1950s and 1960s, Black hair styles became an intrinsic part of major Black liberation movements in the U.S.
- The afro arose as one of the major symbols of Black agitation in America during the 1950s and 1960s, as it was a form of protest against the idea that Black people were inferior.

Throughout history, hairstyles have been used to communicate political affiliations or beliefs in various contexts. Here are some historical examples:

1. **Powdered Wigs in 18th Century Europe**: In 18th century Europe, powdered wigs, also known as periwigs, were commonly worn by the aristocracy and elite. The style originated as a way to cover up hair loss due to syphilis but eventually became a symbol of wealth and status. However, during the French Revolution, powdered wigs fell out of favor as they were associated with the aristocracy and monarchy. The adoption of shorter, more natural hairstyles became a symbol of support for the revolutionary ideals of equality and anti-monarchism.

2. **Qing Dynasty Hairstyles in China**: During the Qing Dynasty in China (1644–1912), men were required to wear their hair in a specific style known as the "queue" or "pinyin," which involved shaving the front of the head and braiding the rest into a single long braid. The queue hairstyle was imposed by the ruling Manchu minority as a sign of submission and loyalty to Qing rule. However, during periods of anti-Manchu sentiment, such as the Taiping Rebellion in the mid-19th century, some Chinese rebels refused to adopt the queue hairstyle as a form of resistance against Qing authority.

3. **Black Power Afro in the United States**: During the 1960s and 1970s in the United States, the Afro hairstyle became a symbol of pride, empowerment, and resistance within the Black community. The style, characterized by natural, unprocessed hair worn in a voluminous rounded shape, was embraced by activists associated with the Black Power movement. The Afro represented a rejection of Eurocentric beauty standards and a celebration of Black heritage, identity, and unity.

4. **Women's Suffrage Hairstyles**: During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, hairstyles were used as a form of expression and activism by women involved in the suffrage movement. Some suffragists adopted shorter, more practical hairstyles such as the bob, which was seen as a symbol of modernity and liberation from traditional gender roles. Others wore their hair long and unadorned, rejecting elaborate Victorian styles associated with femininity and subservience.

These historical examples illustrate how hairstyles have been used as powerful symbols to communicate political affiliations, beliefs, and resistance to authority throughout different periods and cultures.