Grills Will Always Be More Than Just a Fashion Trend

There's always been something about grills that stands out to me—and no, not just because they sparkle and shimmer. It's because they speak before you even open your mouth. To me, grills have never felt like a fleeting fashion moment. They're a statement, a history lesson, and a reminder of how fashion gets misunderstood, dismissed, and then recycled as "cool" once it's deemed acceptable.

Here's the thing: while we're now used to seeing some of our favorite influencers on Instagram and TikTok casually rocking grills, it's important to recognize where they actually came from. Grills are deeply rooted in Black culture, especially in the South of the US, where they became symbols of creativity, resistance, and self-made success within Black communities. Mainstream media, however, didn't see them that way. Instead, grills were dismissed as "unprofessional" or labeled as flashy—in a derogatory sense—and even used as a shorthand for criminality and excess.

Fast forward, and suddenly grills are everywhere. When A$AP Rocky flashes a diamond smile or Megan Thee Stallion steps out iced out, it reads as high fashion, power, and wealth. What was once mocked is now celebrated—and as it should be! But the shift is also telling. Still, when non-Black celebrities, like Kylie Jenner, sport grills and receive overwhelming praise, it does make you wonder: where's the acknowledgment of their roots?

To me, grills are so interesting for one reason. They've never changed their meaning within Black culture—only the way the outside world chooses to see them. They've always represented autonomy, self-expression, and success on one's own terms. The problem isn't that grills are popular now; it's that their popularity often skips over the context.

In my opinion, loving grills in today's age should come with mindfulness. Appreciation means understanding the history, not just copying the aesthetic. Grills aren't a trend that popped up overnight—they're a legacy. And that's exactly why they'll always be more than just fashion.