On Wednesday, Queen Letizia of Spain showed her support for the people of Ukraine by wearing a vysivanka, a traditional embroidered blouse worn by the people of Ukraine and Belarus. While royals are generally encouraged to remain politically neutral, this symbolic garment is loaded with meaning and demonstrates fashion's ability to send a message.

If you want to make your own statement, you can do so by supporting Ukrainian-owned brands or by shopping from brands that donate profits to the Ukrainian people (like DRESSX's "Support Ukraine" collection).

Vysivanka is a versatile, bohemian item with a rich history. Like the evil eye, the pattern of the vishivanka is considered a talisman against bad luck and can be worn by all ages and genders. According to spiritual traditions, each stitch of this piece is imbued with spiritual meaning.

While this style is gorgeous and would be welcome in anyone's wardrobe, it is important to educate yourself about the origins of the piece and avoid cultural appropriation by shopping from Ukrainian (or Belarusian) owned brands. ienki Ienki, Anna You may already be familiar with popular Ukrainian brands like October, Bevza, and Zhilyova, but here are some other Ukrainian-owned brands you may be interested in.