Styling Inspiration: Different Ways to Wear Your Locs

Locs are an esteemed hairstyle, and one that individuals feel called to for a variety of reasons. In this continuing column, Texture Talk, we will explore the multifaceted realm of curly hair, from unrestrained crowns of curls to sections kept safe through protective styling. One of the most encouraging characteristics about afro-textured hair is its versatility. Locs – a form of protective hairstyling in which individual strands are intertwined and compacted into permanent units – have strong ties to African American identity, and are rooted in long and intricate beginnings. From Africa to Asia and beyond, Locs remain a powerful expression of heritage.

The Americas have seen continuous wearers of the hairstyle amongst people of colour from a variety of regions since ancient times until the present. It wasn’t until the s, however, when reggae artist Bob Marley achieved success and became a source of inspiration for many due to his connection to Rastafari, a Jamaican-born religious movement, that the style first gained footing in Western culture. Tyrone Edds has spoken about the strong relationship he has with his signature locs. For a long period of time, the expression “dreadlocks” was applied when referring to this hairdo; nonetheless, it is now deemed disagreeable due to its connotations.

Colonialism and the implementation of Eurocentric beauty standards have had a detrimental effect on natural hair and protective styles which are often harshly judged and controlled. As a result, there has been an effort to distance from the term “dread” in order to encourage more positive discourse around this topic. Locs can be indicative of spiritual or religious beliefs for many that choose this hairstyle, but with countless others, it can signify cultural or ethnic pride, one’s own journey of discovering their own definition of beauty, or simply a hairstyle choice due to its practicality (which, however, comes with particular necessities in terms of care).

I have been admiring the aesthetic of dreadlocks for as long as I can remember, likely due to my father who has had them since I was a child. At the age of fourteen, I decided to begin growing my own. After five years, I began experimenting with various shades of dye, including blonde, blue, red and green, yet grey remains my favourite colour, reminding me of wisdom. To maintain my look, regular washing is essential. Having shared this, four creatives were kind enough to recount their own locs journey, detailing the experiences they have encountered along the way. Shaquone Blake, a model from Toronto, furthermore gave me her insights on the matter, explaining that in her opinion, dreadlocks represent power.

For much of my life, I sought to blend in with those around me, but now I prefer to stand out. For the last three years, my signature look has been a locs mullet comprised of bangs at the front, long locks in the back, and shaved sides. My hair makes me feel special, one-of-a-kind, and most importantly, truly myself.

Initially, I attempted to achieve a desired grey shade on my own, but soon realized the process was severely damaging to my hair. Thus, I elected to receive faux locs professionally through crochet technique. My locs are hand-braided and handmade extensions from Poland are added for extra body.

I, along with my brothers, have grown Locs over time. Even my aunt has beautiful Locs that stretch almost until her ankles. Mine were done in Trinidad and Tobago, from where my family originates. It has been a few years since I began the process of developing them. Unfortunately, there is a negative stigma associated with locs due to lack of knowledge and how people perceive it. A common question I am asked is if I cleanse my hair, with many mistaking the locs for braids or referring to them as ‘dreadlocks’ without realising the difference.

In Summary

In conclusion, I have found that embracing my signature look has helped me to be more comfortable in my own skin. Far from just being a hairstyle, my locs serve as a source of confidence that inspires me to express myself in new and exciting ways. My hair — and its story — represent my journey towards self-love and acceptance.