We’re kind of tired of the idea that Latinas have to dress in what amounts to little more tropical colored bandaids or spangly dresses with shoulder pads and we’re tired that, well. In the case of some of our family members, that shit is true. So allow us to give props where they’re due and present our list of the “Top 5 Most Stylish Latinas…. Who Matter.” Because we’re not all tacky (Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Mom.) and not all famous Latinas happen to be singing, dancing actresses with clothing lines.

Besides, who said style had to be just about clothes?

Check it out:

5. Laura Esquivel

Country of origin: Mexico

Famous for: Writing books, like Como Agua Para Chocolate, that make us kind of think about stepping into a kitchen, if only to have sex on the counter.

Why we love her style: This woman has a love affair with color. Her house has bright pink columns and her clothes always contain some combination that makes us both scratch our heads and applaud her. Plus, she knows full well that going gray looks beautiful and can wear a raw silk wrap without looking like she just fell out of the bargain bin at Chico’s.

4. Natalie Morales

Country of origin: Taiwan, born to a Puerto Rican father and Brazilian mother

Famous for: Covering stories like the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Shuttle Columbia explosion and other super fun stuff.

Why we love her style: Natalie knows how to wear “pretty” things like pastels, pearls and bows while looking camera-ready and appropriate and without ever looking infantilized or like a big, silly merengue.

3. Alicia Alonso

Country of origin: Cuba

Famous for: Being a Prima Ballerina Assoluta and renowned choreographer even though she was partially blind.

Why we love her style: Because most other people would appear lost behind such avant-garde ballet costumes, but Alicia always managed to outshine them. Plus nothing says “I know how to use a bidet, plebe” quite like a turban.

2. Carolina Herrera

Country of origin: Venezuela

Famous for: Designing classically beautiful clothing that appeal to women of all ages, acting as a Goodwill Ambassador, never having a bad hair day.

Why we love her style: She’s made an art and a business out of being fashionable without ever being a slave to trends.

1. Anaïs Nin

Country of origin: France, born to a Cuban father and a mother of Cuban, French and Danish ancestry.

Famous for: Penning erotica like The Delta of Venus that tackles everything from incest to… some more incest.

Why we love her style: First off, that haircut. Second, that haircut. And third, Anaïs wore everything from a tailored man’s suit to a flowy Grecian-inspired gown without looking lost in her outfit or like she was in costume. Plus, she wore flowers pinned to her clothing before C*rr** Br*dsh*w was complaining about sex in a certain city.

Honorable mention: Cholas

Country of origin: U.S.A.

Famous for: Being awesome, knowing how to hide a shank in a pompadour.

Why we love their style: Winged eyeliner? Bright red lips? Rockabilly? Giant hoops? Cholas have appropriated certain elements of mainstream fashion and made made them their own by combining looks both sweet and tough. And we think it totally works.

So what do you think - do you agree with our choices? And what would your top 5 list look like? Careful how you answer, ‘cause we’re wearing our shanking hairdo today.