Mama's Got Style !

I would like to think of myself as "stylish", but I am FAR from a fashionista. Labels mean nothing to me. I buy what I like and 9 times out of 10 it is never from Prada, Louis Vuitton, Christian Louboutin, Yves Saint Laurent or any other luxury boutique. I do not subscribe to Lucky , Vogue, In Style, Elle or any other fashion related periodical.

Hell, I don't even like to shop. CLUTCH THE PEARLS.

I believe I shop for clothing about 3 to 4 times a year out of necessity and not desire. Whatever I do purchase, it is always on sale or from a Thrift Store and/or Outlet Mall. I had a goal of purchasing a "real" designer handbag as a present for myself for my 30th birthday. Living in New York you can get a knock off on any corner, but its just not the same. As an alternative to spending $1,500+ on a bag, I decided a trip to Italy would be more alluring.

Getting dressed for work (when I worked in an office) and especially getting dressed to attend a court proceeding is absolutely horrendous. My business attire and cold weather clothing game still needs a little work, but I have absolutely NO desire to fawn over clothes in either magazines or retail outlets. If I am out, and I see a nice "piece", I will more than likely look at it, examine it and then put it back. It takes about 3 trips to the same store, looking at the same piece before I decide to purchase it. One of my ex-boyfriends bought me two shirts for Valentine's Day one year and he DID THE DAMN THING. I was convinced his sister helped him pick them out, but they both insisted he did it on his own. The fact that he knew me, knew my style, was really endearing.

I think I am just frugal when it comes to buying clothes. I will spend tons of money on entertainment, even shoes....but believe it ridiculous to spend tons of money on clothes. As Erykah Badu once said, "My dress ain't cost nothing but seven dollars, but I made it fly." I'm Cleva dang it !!

Though I consider myself to be "below average" on my fashionista decorum. Mama's got loads of style !!!!

In college, my sorority sisters would be like scavengers in the limited malls in our college town just to purchase the new "Rave", "Wet Seal" or "Express" top and smooth booties for a party. I on the other hand would go into my attic, find a scarf, tie some type of raffia string around it and VOILA... I had a top. I think I get this from my father. He was so Andre 3000 about 30+ years ago, before being Andre 3000 was cool.

I embrace my funky/chic/conservative style. I even think I secretly cherish it. Amongst my friends, I don't think any of them have the same style as I do, and I love that. We each have a different vibe. We don't wear the same type of shoe, don't rock the same type of hair style and we definitely don't accessorize the same. I absolutely HATE IT when one of THE GIRLS asks me, "What are you wearing tonight ?" when we are going out. I don't think that what I decide to wear should dictate what they wear. I think getting dressed is an expression of your personality, demeanor and attitude that night. Thank God they now know not to even ask me that anymore, though in my growth, I now sometimes share it voluntarily.

Fashion is so stuck up to me, so classist, so limiting.... but style... now style is such beautiful, personal, subjective splendor that we each should embrace and reflect independent of anything not resting within our hearts.

F*&^ a trend !!!