Husband jogs fashion memories
December 1, 2012

Walked in the house the other day with my newest purchase from the department store, ready to show it off to my other half.

“I’ll get a lot of use out of this outfit this winter,” I said proudly holding it up for what I knew would be his enthusiastic response. Granted, I had a sip of wine before I brought it out of the fancy bag and for a senior moment thought I was showing my purchase to one of our daughters.

“I can wear it to church, out to dinner, shopping — it will be perfect for just about everywhere,” I said.

“It’s a jogging suit,” he said.

That statement took me back to the 1980s when the so-called fashionable jogging suit first invaded America. I still remember the first time I saw one. A little old gray-haired woman was wearing this passionate purple jogging suit while changing the oil in her Trans Am.

I bought one in bright pink a short time later but never wore it outdoors except to take out the garbage. That jogging suit made me feel as if I was wearing my pajamas. Unlike today when men and women are seen wearing this attire on a daily basis at Walmart and other public places, pajamas were relegated to the bedroom or the living room couch on a sick day.

Even back then, I had a sense that the jogging suit was destined to become a respected fashion icon in my life. After all, no tight waistband; no binding in the derrière; just simple, forgiving but stylish comfort.

“This is not a jogging suit,” I replied to my spouse while feeling the luxurious silk collar and cuffs of subtle silver. “This is a viable and suitable piece of clothing that can be worn just about anywhere.

“Except for jogging,” I added. “It’s far too expensive.”