Comfort: Why Do Old People Wear Weird Clothes?

Looking good can be uncomfortable sometimes, and being comfortable can be old fashioned

I've been asking myself lately: Why do I always gravitate toward sweatpants? Then I met this elderly lady from Seattle Washington, and we got into a fun little conversation that shed some light on the subject.

She gave me two reasons why older folks wear what some would call "weird clothes."

First, she said, "It's comfortable."

Also read my uncomfortable sneaker love story! LOL...

Second, she added, "I don't go around buying new stuff. The clothes I already have still fit, they're broken in, and I'm not trying to impress anybody at my age."

And that stuck with me. Honestly, I respect it. And believe me I am getting at this age where I completely understand.

Actually, if I remember correctly, it was her son Andrew--a high school music professor at one of the biggest schools in Seattle--who jumped in and said, "That's why I am wearing sweats right now too. It's all about comfort."

His mom added the part about not needing to impress people anymore.

And you know what? I agree with both of them.

I'm always going back and forth with my friend about this. He loves wearing jeans. I don't hate jeans, but these days, I like the ones with a little stretch. My real issue is with the damn belt. Every time I wear jeans and sit in the car for too long, I find myself having to unbuckle it just to breathe.

There's always something.

Oh--and get this--the old lady also told me her husband always a jeans and college sweatshirts kind of guy. So over the years, she started buying him sweatshirts, in all different kinds and colors of college sweatshirts.

She laughed and said, "He had one for every mood and every occasion."

So maybe it's not weird after all. Maybe it's just people choosing peace over fashion. Soft fabric over tight seams. Memories over trends.

And maybe, just maybe, that's something to look forward to. Well heck yeah it's going to happen to you someday. You not getting any younger and as they say once you get older you will understand.

Write a comment

The People I Meet · Things I learned along the way

I am not moving to Indiana, I don't care how much my friend likes it

Indiana vs. Tennessee - A Quick Chat That Got Me Thinking