FCYU-Feature Story

My Rocawear Addiction

By Jessica

It all started when I was 14 and going though a “name brand phase.” I had to have what other kids were wearing, like Baby Phat, Sean John and Lady Enyce. My grandma was so old-fashioned that I had to wear hand-me-downs from my cousins and my brother. The clothes they had were big and ugly.

I was begging every night and day to have something name brand. She always replied, “No, I am not buying you anything name brand because you are going to become addicted to it.” I wondered how someone could get addicted to a name brand. I didn’t know I’d soon become a Rocawear junkie myself.

No Ordinary Shirt

On my 15th birthday, my grandma took me shopping at Macy’s. Now Macy’s has those expensive clothes that would break a person’s pocket. I decided to save my grandma and me the headache—I went straight to the cheapest stuff in the whole store. But on my way there I was star gifted by this shirt. It was no ordinary shirt. It was orange and blue and it had the name brand I’d always wanted, “ROCAWEAR.” It was twice my size and it had white stitching everywhere.

I liked Rocawear because it was created by one of my many idols, the one and only Jay-Z (Shawn Carter). I love his music and since I’m such a groupie I have to get whatever he has out, like CDs and sneakers. I even checked out that 40\40 club he opened.

I really wanted this shirt, but it cost $65 and I knew my grandma was not going to buy it. Still, I had to ask, and believe it or not she bought it for me. I was shocked. The next day I wore it outside in 80-degree weather.

I Can’t Resist

Ever since that day I’ve been addicted to the designs Jay-Z comes out with. I know I need to get over it, because if I continue this obsession I’m not going to have any money left to spend on necessary stuff. But the more I say, “No, I can’t have it anymore,” the more it calls my name.

The clothes talk to me: “Lil’ Jay, buy me, you know that you want me, don’t front, take me, buy me, love me.” What more can I say, these things just get to me all the time. And if you’re thinking it’s for all name brands, you’re wrong—it’s just for Rocawear.

I now own over 40 Rocawear shirts and pants, plus a collection of outfits, sneakers and hoodies. A lot of it came from my sweet 16th birthday party. I invited all my friends from school to the Empire skating rink. One of my best friends told everybody that I was such a junkie for Rocawear, and they all went and got me something.

I received Rocawear pants, shirts, hoodies, socks, bookbags, headbands and sneakers. And what is a party without a Rocawear cake? It had orange icing and a red logo on the top.

Not Ready to Let Go

Everywhere I go, people tell me I’m wasting my money just for a name. I tell them, “Don’t hate ’cause I can afford the finer things in life and you can’t.” I feel that with the responsibilities I have with work and school, I deserve to have these things and much more. Wearing Rocawear, I feel that no one can hold me down, that I am special.

To be real, Rocawear is not as expensive as people think. It really depends on your style and the store you go to. I for one wait until the price goes down after it’s no longer “new” for the season. Like when a Rocawear dress comes out for the summer and it costs $96, wait until the end of summer to get that same dress for $45.

Rocawear lets me express my true style: a little bit gangsta with a dash of girliness. My grandma thinks it’s crazy and wants me to experience new clothes, but I am not ready to give up my Rocawear addiction yet. I may just be a Rocawear junkie ‘till the day I die.