“When my mom who’s pure Haitian noticed I was wearing nothing but black and white in most of my pics, she inquired (with great worry) if somebody has just died.”π€¦π½ββοΈπ€£
Most times when I am getting ready in the morning, I’ll usually have this kind of convo with dear husband:
Husband: “You should wear more colour’. Colour suits you so well”
Me: (silently pulling out my all black outfit with hints of grey as accent colour. All of this with a smirk on my face.)
Husband: “Hello..Did you hear what I just said?!”
I took some time to answer since I was trying to put that in plain language so he can understandππ. When you’re forced to explain elevation to the masses.π
Me:”I know what I am doing. You see, black and white automatically looks more polished, more put together, more…expensive…”
Husband: (shakes head heavily, face heavy with sadness): π«π
Me: “I don’t expect you to understand, of course….”
Husband: “Right…it’s best to look like a debt collector…but then again what do I know? I am only just a man after all…”
Me: “See…you’re getting there!”

If I am honest though, he’s not the only one to tell me that. I remember one time talking to my mom and she said the exact same thing but in an extremely concerned tone:
Mom (π€π°π₯Ί): “Faye (that’s my nickname), are you all right? Is there something going on?
Me (π²π²) : ” I am fine, mom. Where does this come from??!”
Mom: “Well, most pics I see of you, you’re only wearing black and white like somebody just died. What’s wrong?”
Me: “What?!!?” π€¦π½ββοΈπ€·π½ββοΈ
Naturally, I tried explaining to her that black and white looks more expensive. I could hear her exasperation over the phone as she replied: “
Mom: “Would you please stop attracting bad things to you by wearing nothing but black and white and all those pale colours that make you look like you died just a few hours ago”.
Me: “But mom…”
Mom: “Enough of this! Makes you look like you’re about to cross over into the unknown!”
Parents just don’t understand, eh?π€¦π½ββοΈ I laughed my head off.
In Haiti, people mostly wear black when somebody dies. In times of mourning, it’s not unusual for people to wear black and nothing but black for a certain period of time as a way to cherish someone close who’s died.
You know, thinking back, there was real concern in her voice, like she was really worried and it cracks me up. I spent that day thinking about how certain colours can be perceived in certain cultures and I find that very interesting.
That’s probably why, last year, I made a conscious effort to add more colours to my wardrobe and let me tell you, I am already a changed woman, if I do say so myselfππ.
What about you guys? Have you been dragged like myself into wearing more colour or did you just wake up one day and decided to add more colour to your wardrobe? Let me know in the comments below.
Bisoux and don’t forget to like, share and subscribe so you can know what I am up to (#shamelessplugπ)ππ