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Why do white girls love to wear dreadlocks? Some women who wear dreadlocks are hippies, punks, or simply regular everyday people who want to express themselves through their hairstyle. You may ask why someone who has long, straight, or curly soft hair wants their hair to get matted into dreadlocks? Some people feel that dreadlocks on white girls constitute cultural appropriation or appreciation. It all depends on your views.
In my humble opinion, we are placing too much emphasis on a particular hairstyle. People wear their hair in different styles for different reasons. It’s not just a Black thing, a Caribbean thing, or a Jamaican thing, or even a Rastafarian thing. It goes a lot deeper than most people know. Some people wear their hair locked for religious reasons, while others look at dreadlocks as simply a fashion statement.
In an article from Vice, they asked white people why they wore dreadlocks. Here’s what one young woman said, “I always loved the way they looked and wanted them for about five years, and hated brushing my hair. Then, when I went traveling, I decided to finally get them made to keep my hair neat and low-maintenance.”
Regardless of your reason for wearing dreadlocks, here is a brief history of the hairstyle’s origin:
Dreadlocks have been worn by nearly every culture at some point in time or another. Roman accounts stated that the Celts wore their hair ‘like snakes’. The Germanic tribes and Vikings were also known to wear their hair in dreadlocks. Dreadlocks have been worn by the monks of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, the Nazarite of Judaism, Qalandri’s Sufi’s, the Sadhu’s of Hinduism, and the Dervishes of Islam, and many more! There are even strong suggestions that many early Christians wore dreadlocks; most notably Sampson, who was said to have seven locks of hair which gave him his inhuman strength!
Now that you understand where dreadlocks may have originated, you may want to take a look at the photos below to get some dreadlock inspiration and learn how to make your dreadlocks uniquely YOU!
Tools & Products for Creating or Styling Dreadlocks
If you’re thinking about getting dreadlocks or experimenting with dread styles, these tools can help you achieve the look faster and maintain healthy locs.
Popular dreadlock essentials:
• Crochet hooks for creating or tightening locs
• Dreadlock jewelry and beads
• Synthetic dread extensions for temporary styles
• Residue-free shampoo for loc maintenance
• Beading tools for easy installation
👉 Tip from a professional braider: If you are creating dreadlocks on straight hair, crochet tools and synthetic extensions can help create fuller-looking locs while the hair naturally begins to lock.
UP-DO’S
Longer dreads can easily be piled on the head for an elegant updo. Accessorize the look with bold flowers for a touch of color and chic flair, sure to turn heads. If you prefer a more casual look, however, there are many other dreadlock styles to choose from.
SHAVED SIDES OF DREADLOCKS
Shaving the sides of your locks is very simple. Here are the 5 steps:
- Place hair into a ponytail
- Take the hair that you want to cut, and then pull it out of the ponytail
- Use a pair of scissors to cut off long hair
- Use a clipper to shave the hair down close to the scalp
If you desire designs, use the T-Liner for easy designing of zigzag lines, circles, or whatever creative drawing your mind can come up with.
DREADLOCK JEWELRY
Accessorize your locs:
If you want to accessorize your locs, you can find beautiful dreadlock jewelry, beads, and cuffs online. These are easy to install and instantly elevate a simple dread style.
Here’s how to install your loc jewelry:
Step 1: Take a strand of your loc that best fits the hole of the loc jewel.
Step 2: Insert your loc into the hole of the loc jewel piece.
Step 3: Pull your loc through the loc jewel until it is secure.
*For those of you who wear loc extensions. Please note that you many need jewelry with larger openings to fit onto your thick locs. Use this quick beader tool to help place your beads or jewelry onto your dreadlocks.
Yarn & Synthetic Extensions
Yarn dreads, sometimes also called ‘knitted’ dreadlocks, are really faux dreads that you create with colorful yarn. As a Hair Braider, you can do Dreadlocks. It doesn’t matter if the hair is kinky or straight. You can be creative and make it look beautiful to show individuality. Visit Hair Braiding A’s Hair Academy YouTube channel to find tips & tutorials on braiding hair with or without synthetic extensions.
Temporary Dreadlock Extensions
Not everyone wants permanent dreadlocks. Many people prefer temporary synthetic dread extensions so they can enjoy the style without committing to permanent locs.
Synthetic dread extensions are made with fibers like Kanekalon and are often braided into the hair to create a full bohemian look.
These extensions can last several weeks and are perfect for:
• festivals
• travel
• protective styles
• experimenting with color
👉 You can install them yourself or have a professional braider install them.
Turn Your Braiding Skills Into Income
If you love styles like braids, locs, and extensions, you can actually turn these skills into a business.
I created a guide for braiders who travel to their clients’ homes to provide braiding and dreadlock services.
In this guide, I share the essential items every mobile braider should keep in their bag when traveling to appointments.
👉 Read about the essential tools every mobile hair braider should carry when working on the go.
• how to start a braiding business
• how to get clients
• What licenses may be required
• how to work from home or open a studio
👉 Learn more at A’s Hair Academy
FAQ About Dreadlocks
Can straight hair form dreadlocks?
Yes. Straight hair can form dreadlocks using techniques like backcombing, crochet methods, or extensions.
Are dreadlocks permanent?
They can be permanent or temporary, depending on the installation method.
Do dreadlocks damage hair?
When done properly and maintained correctly, dreadlocks should not damage the hair.
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