As Told To Veronica R. Wells-Puoane
Sep 21, 20193 min
This week, Drake surprised us with an interesting, fashion choice. It was a vintage Waiting to Exhale sweatshirt. Black American media exposed children who lived through the nineties know the cultural impact that movie and its soundtrack had on the community. So in that sense, Drake paying homage to this classic moment in cinema is not unusual.
What made it interesting was his insistence that we see the quote from Waiting to Exhale author Terry McMillan on the back.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Drake is my favorite fuckboy. He makes music that I can relate to. I’ll argue that “Nice For What,” is a female empowerment anthem. Still, Drake’s track record with women proves that he might just be one of them niggas from which we need to reserve our pleasantries.
He’s the type of dude who will date strippers just to be able to say he saved them. The type of nigga who's spent a majority of his time OUTCHEA but will shame women who opt to do the same. He’ll publicly pine over Rihanna for years just to work with her ex—his former enemy—once it’s clear that they won't be together.
For all of his sensitivity and catchy chunes, Drake is a wild boy. I’ve got my eye on him.
Obviously that was just a lil something I had to get off my chest. But the real reason we’re here is to talk about that sweatshirt, specifically where we can get something like it.
As you might imagine clothes from this era are sparse so the price may be steep. So we'll include a mix of high and low items.
Starting with this...
Burn It Down Bernadine, $35.00
That's not the actual name of this shirt. But I felt it was fitting. If you want to send the message that you are not to be trifled with, this shirt will do just that. No words necessary.
Black Queens Matter, $55.00
The brothas on the street will call you Queen all day long. But are they ready to treat you like one? Who knows. But this crewneck from the Black Excellence Store will reinforce the message.
The Black Woman, Waiting to Exhale, $58.49
While this shirt doesn't feature the actresses from the movie on the front, if you read the version of Waiting to Exhale I did then you recognize this illustration.
Booster Black WTE Sweatshirt, $110
This looks like something a vendor on 125th sold back in 1995 when Waiting to Exhale was in its prime. Still, it's cute, it's vintage and references "Exhale (Shoop, Shoop)."
For Bernadine it was her hair. For Savannah it was a dead-end relationship with a married man. For Robin it was her attachment to Russell's trifling ass. And for the seller of this shirt, it was the sleeves. But it is the closest thing I've seen to Drake's crew neck. If you must have the sleeves, there's someone selling this same shirt--sleeves and all-- for $378.
Waiting to Exhale Black Hoodie, $151.00
If you'd like to rock a hoodie with your nostalgia, this might the option for you. And again, the lyrics for "Exhale (Shoop, Shoop)" are included.
Now this is only if you're really about that WTE life. I'll just allow the eBay description to rationalize this hefty price tag.
THIS JACKET IS AN ORIGINAL CAST & CREW JACKET FROM THE FEATURE FILM
"WAITING TO EXHALE" MADE IN 1995. THIS COULDN'T EVER BE PURCHASED IN STORES. IT'S A GORGEOUS HIGH END NIKE BASEBALL STYLE JACKET MADE OF HIGH QUALITY HUNTER GREEN WOOL, TOP GRAIN BROWN LEATHER SLEEVES, AND BEAUTIFULLY AND FULLY LINED IN GOLD SATIN. THE WORKMANSHIP ON THE JACKET IS EXQUISITE. IT HAS 2 POCKETS ON THE OUTSIDE AND 2 INSIDE BREAST POCKETS. THE OUTER POCKETS ARE PIPED IN LEATHER. IT ALSO HAS SNAP CLOSURES.
ON THE RIGHT SIDE, IS A COLORFULLY EMBROIDERED "WAITING TO EXHALE" IN PURPLE, GREEN, ORANGE, BROWN,GREEN, AND PINK. PLUS IT HAS A PURPLE NIKE INSIGNIA ON THE LEFT SIDE. THIS JACKET IS NOTHING SHORT OF GORGEOUS!
IT'S MARKED "LARGE" -- BUT IT'S VERY ROOMY -- IT'S AT LEAST AN EXTRA LARGE.
IT IS A UNISEX STYLE, SO IF IT FITS, IT WORKS FOR MEN AND WOMEN! YOU CAN'T FIND THESE ANYWHERE SINCE THE FILM WAS MADE IN 1995
AND THIS IS AN ORIGINAL JACKET PRESENTED TO CAST AND CREW MEMBERS AT THE COMPLETION OF SHOOTING.