The most frequently asked question I receive as a style blogger is what inspires your style? While I pull inspiration from everywhere, I rarely get a chance to highlight some of the black women who I consider my absolute style icons.
Last year around this time was a particularly rough moment for me, so I took it as a chance to turn inward, isolate, and do some deep reflection. Naturally, Netflix became my bestie during this time. I was obsessed with A Different World, the spinoff from The Cosby Show.
It was a show full of dynamic, intelligent, and incredibly fashionable black college students simply living life. It was also a strong social commentary on many issues facing the black community at that time. I LOVED it. I will still re-watch the entire series to this day.
Whitley Gilbert, played by icon Jasmine Guy, was who I waited for with bated breath every episode. Super lush furs, bold colors, high-waisted trousers, and shoulder pads to the high heavens, Whitney Gilbert’s style was everything! Although sometimes over the top, it was effortless for her. I was immediately inspired.
Beyond how impeccably she dressed, what I loved the most about Whitley is that she was so unapologetic in her personal style. I can think of so many times where I’ve felt overdressed in a certain setting or that I maybe needed to “tone it down” in order to make others around me feel more comfortable. Whitley stood strong in who she was, her friends and Dwayne (if you don’t know their love story, Google it!) loved her due to this fact.
Whitley was famous for a chic jumpsuit with shoulder pads, so of course, this look is inspired by her. My jumpsuit is from Ragstop thrift, one of my favorite thrift/vintage stores in Chicago’s Belmont neighborhood.
As always, let me know your thoughts! Feel free to shout out some of your favorite tv style icons in the comments below.
All the love,
MB
