In light of last weeks post, I thought it would be fun to have a guest post along the same lines by Deborah Chandler. I was amused by what she had to say, so of course, I had to include it. And yes, I'm the person who talked her into the old lady track suit. I have my own, for which I have to say, I have a deep and abiding love.
So here you have it, a second opinion on middle age!
Comfort? Yes, Please!
Being a non-traditional student on a very traditional campus, I find myself squirming as I observe the clothing options of my (albeit, much younger) classmates keeping up with the trends. I’m now old enough that what is worn today was in fashion in my young adult years. (I have nearly the same hairstyle as when I got married and it’s in style.) And I realize as I’m looking at these clothes two distinct ideas come to mind: one, I am uncomfortable; and two, I feel sorry for those wearing them.
Now, I’m not uncomfortable seeing someone dressed like that, I’m uncomfortable because I remember how it feels to be dressed like that. It was uncomfortable. Tight clothes when you're young seems up-and-coming, flattering, maybe even sexy—but decades later after trying a few different fashion options you realize, it’s just uncomfortable. The perpetual queasy tummy, holding your breath to bend over and forget tying shoes. (You’ll notice an increase of slip-ons with tight clothes.)—No thank you.
One day while walking to class, I found myself feeling distinctly sorry for the girl walking in front of me as her clothes were so tight I thought, “Poor dear, can’t afford clothes that fit properly.” Then I started looking around and realized that was probably how she wanted to be dressed. And then I thought, “Poor dear.”
Recently, my older sister talked me into buying an old lady track suit—you know the type velour, zipper hoodie and so comfortable you sigh when you get dressed, then all became clear. Old ladies don’t dress like old ladies because they don’t have fashion sense, they just have enough sense to choose comfortable fashions. They’ve already put in their time with being pulled, tucked, squished and flaunted and decided, it’s all for the birds. They know that wearing something comfortable doesn’t make them less of a woman, it just makes them a happier one!
By Deborah Chandler
By Deborah Chandler
