From Maroon Suits to Baggy Jeans: A Love Letter to Fashion, Family, and Finding My Style

Fashion as Language

Fashion has always been more than fabric and thread — it’s language. A way to speak without saying a word. A mirror that reflects culture, time, and identity.

For me, it’s also a story about duality — about growing up between two worlds that had very different definitions of what it meant to look good.

The Duality of Dress: Church Shoes vs. Shell Toes

As a first-generation American born to Haitian parents, I grew up in Queens during the golden era of hip hop — when style was status.

Your sneakers said who you were before you even opened your mouth. The kids on my block wore their pride in the form of Nike, British Knights, Addidas, and Reebok Pumps.

Meanwhile, my great-grandmother — straight from “the old country” — believed a respectable man wore slacks, a pressed shirt, and church shoes that could blind you in sunlight. Her fashion philosophy was simple: if you looked dignified, the world would treat you as such. I swear, my grandma thought there was only one outfit suitable for any occasion: a nice maroon three-piece for church?

Baggy Dreams and Saggy Realities

But out in Queens, “fresh” had a whole different meaning. Baggy jeans, oversized tees, and the latest sneakers were the currency of cool.

Only one problem — my family didn’t believe in “baggy.” To them, loose clothing looked lazy, uncivilized even.

So, like any resourceful kid trying to fit in, I found a loophole: I’d sag my pants just enough to fake the look. It was rebellion disguised as style. My jeans might’ve been a size too small, but in my mind, I was Biggie Smalls.

Easter Sunday and the Art of Showing Out

What’s funny is, even though my family frowned at streetwear, we had a very different approach when it came to dressing for special occasions.

Somehow, there was always room in the budget for Easter Sunday.

We might not have had the latest Nikes, but trust me — our Easter fits were immaculate. The shine on those patent leather shoes could guide ships home.

Those moments taught me something: that style isn’t always about what you can afford — it’s about effort, pride, and presentation. Dressing well wasn’t just about fashion; it was a declaration of self-respect.

Full Circle: The Return of Baggy

Fast forward nearly three decades, and fashion has done what it always does — come full circle. I walk through the city now and see kids wearing the same oversized jeans and boxy tees that defined my teenage years. What once felt rebellious now feels nostalgic.

Like a mixtape from another lifetime. It’s proof that fashion never really dies — it just waits for a new generation to rediscover its rhythm.

Lessons in Style and Self-Expression

Today, I don’t wear maroon three-piece suits (at least not often), but that early foundation stuck with me. My sense of style has evolved, but I still carry that balance — a mix of formality from my family and freedom from hip hop. I dress thoughtfully because I was taught that how you present yourself matters.And I stay “fly” because I learned early on that fashion is also about joy — about feeling good in your own skin.

Thank You, Family. Thank You, Culture.

So here’s to the people and the culture that shaped my sense of style.

To my family for teaching me the value of looking sharp, and to hip hop for teaching me that self-expression has no rules. Fashion, after all, is culture in motion — a living, breathing conversation between where we come from and who we’re becoming.

And if there’s one thing I’ve learned from maroon suits and sagging jeans alike, it’s this: No matter the trend, being true to your style is the real definition of fly.

Explore, create, and connect at Love City Creatives. Your wardrobe and your walls will thank you.