Pee Wee

• They had left their previous home behind and, at this stage of the journey, were caught between what was familiar and unknown.
• Their clothing choices signified their respect both for themselves and for the enormous, life-changing journey they had undertaken.
• Others donned more casual, open-neck shirts with the collars worn outside the jacket, all accessorised with berets or fedoras.
• This article is part of our Windrush 75 series, which marks the 75th anniversary of the HMT Empire Windrush arriving in Britain.

The aesthetics of presence

• Their standout outfits were in some ways a response to feelings of invisibility, which stemmed from the hostility and racism many experienced upon their arrival.
• English photographer Bert Hardy’s 1949 photographs of West Indians in Liverpool include the barber known as Pee Wee (above).

‘Diasporic intimacy’ and parties at home

• They developed a network of social events including parties, weddings and christenings that took place in homes across Britain.
• These events were often enveloped in blue beat and ska, musical styles from Jamaica.
• The lyrics and rhythm offered a connection to their homeland that also boosted their sense of self-worth.

The dress of subsequent generations

• The clothing worn by the descendants of the Windrush generation is now part of a wider fashion defined as “Black British Style”.
• This term captures the myriad styles that have been devised as a distinct statement of belonging for those next generations who grew up in Britain.