one of her own

Style.

There has been many quotes about style, the ever so famous "Fashions fade, but style is eternal" by the genius Yves Saint-Laurent. One of my favourite quotes and what sparked this entry was "Style is a simple way of saying complicated things" as said as by Jean Cocteau (who I LOVE, sidenote)

I love that quote because it can apply to many, many things not just fashion. But for the sake of this entry, I will write about the fashion aspect of it. I have loved clothing a long time, sure. What girl hasn't? but I mean, I've really loved fashion. My mum and I were recently out to brunch and she reminded me of how passionate I used to be about what I wore back then, even as a 3 year afro-headed little girl. She told me I would slam the door and said NO whenever she would try to dress me. My poor mother, she talks about this with a smile on her face. Luckily she knew how stubborn I was. Because after all, she is the same.

Growing up I never really caved into trends, we couldn't afford it. The only time I remember ever wanting to was when these TNA hoodies became popular, I thought they were SO cool.. they came in a thousand colors and looked like they fit amazingly and I just loved them. But they were so expensive, $70. This is why I never caved into trends, we didn't have the most money when I was growing up .. we shopped at Zellers and Sears. I grew up on Cherokee and Nevada. Every year, my mum would let me pick two back to school outfits from Sears and I would be so happy. This went on until junior high, but of course the stores changed. Junior High was all about Suzy Shier and Old Navy.

but that one fateful day in grade 9, I begged and pleaded for my mum to help me buy a TNA hoodie. I had to pitch in 30 dollars and she paid the rest, do you know what color I got? Heather Grey. I wanted that color so bad.

To this day I love heather grey hoodies. It was perfect. This was the first time I remember caving into a trend and actually liking it, they gave me the incredibly cute fancy paper bag and we were on our way.

It's funny that I remember this so well. It's because I kindof resented myself for caving and buying a 70 dollar hoodie because they were popular. But to this day, I love those hoodies. I scout for them on eBay now, haha. They are too expensive otherwise. You know what's funny though? I have no idea where that heather grey one is, I have clothes from grade FIVE! But I have no idea where this thing is. I am paranoid I left it somewhere. I used to be so mad how I lost it. But eventually I got over it because I realized how hoodies were SO not my thing nor worth my money. What I am trying to get at here, is that trends are inevitable. I used to tell myself that I wasn't a trendy person. But one fateful day, in a hospital of all places - I found an old h&m magazine and found this article about trends. How they are born on the street. It was so (forgive me) LEGEND-DARY! it made me realize that us high street fashionistas and us bloggers are the street. We create the trends. I have always wore what I want and somehow I feel like I have this eye for knowing what to wear. I had a boyfriend that said it was my intuition, that was not good for my ego. It made it very big impact on me though, even if it did make me slightly cocky. I am not very cocky with anything but my style. I have really learnt that style is what you make it, that is why I love Jean Cocteau's quote so much. I have said this time and time again, I try to keep my clothes to a minimum. I am not saying that I don't admire the whole dripping in accessory look but I have never been the type to do that. If I have a cocktail ring on, it's more than likely I will be wearing studs. If I am wearing incredible shoes, you know my dress is plain jersey. I have mixed and matched all my life, growing up having to be thrifty at a young age - has done me well. I crave the "hunt". I look through racks of clothes, I am one of those crazies who actually gets excited about clearance racks at places like.. you guessed it, Old Navy. As much as I love the hunt, I hate shopping at the same time. It can be exhausting, I have so many visions and ideas in my head and when I get to the actual store. Nothing. So many retail stores have gotten over the top with their clothing.

I don't mean this as a bad thing but for someone primarily shops in the high street world, it can be exhausting. Too trendy. TOO TOO TOO. I can't believe some of the stuff Forever21 comes up with and don't get me started with Urban Outfitters. It disgusts me how big hipster culture has become, why would anyone in their right mind buy a faded crop top of New Kids on the Block for over 30 dollars?

But that is the beauty of trends, whether you like it or not - they excite you, the thing you have to have doesn't matter the price - YOU HAVE TO HAVE IT. Although I would never buy a 30 dollar faded crop top, I am sure if a new perfect hoodie came out and it was 70 dollars .. well, you know what?

I would probably buy it.

in Heather Grey.