Well I thought dreads were an austerity at the time too (you're referring to dreads right?), and I didn't believe it was a vanity. Like I said I am not judging you or anybody, but white people have to be really careful on this score. When I was first made aware of my (and I don't know how else to say it) white arrogance I didn't really comprehend the pervasiveness of it--it's really quite a journey. For many dreadlock people in Jamaica, this decision on their parts was a true austerity, a true cross. I don't really get how 'austerity' applies to white dreads in white-dominated societies. We're pretty free to be as 'eccentric' as we want and not pay much for it.