[jenntasticxx]

If you have your own clothing preferences, that's fine, and I don't see anything wrong with her buying you clothes that she finds for your birthday or whatever. I mean, sure, they won't last as long, but that shouldn't be a big deal, and you even said you'd still wear it. I've really never heard of half the brands you're talking about. I do most of my shopping at PacSun and Hot Topic. But I do like Nike... I had 6.0's that lasted me for 3 years. The only reason I got rid of them was because the outside was all dirty, but other than that, the overall structure was still fine. I'd rather buy $70 shoes that last me years than $20 shoes that last me only one year.

I guess try to avoid the subject all together. It's obviously touchy, and it's probably not helping anything when you talk about it.