Where are you going dressed like that babe?

When I moved to Europe in 1989 sweats and pyjama pants were still the rage in Utah. I felt completely at ease running to the grocery store to buy a gallon of milk in my sweats, my hair a mess and with no makeup on. I would gladly chat away with friends in the aisle completely oblivious to my looks (actually I wasn’t oblivious… this was “the look”). This summer when I was back in Utah active wear seems to have taken over. All the moms were running around in tight sports pants and yoga pants. I have no idea if they are doing sports but wearing them seems to be à la Vogue.

I remember walking out of my apartment in 1989 to run to Aldi, a German discount grocery store. I was in sweat pants, and I looked like a bum. My husband, who happens to be German, looked at me in horror and said, “Where are you going dressed like that?!” I answered, “Oh, just to get some yogurt and milk. I’ll be back in a jiffy.” I didn’t go!I got a lecture about the dress code in Europe. My husband said he would die of embarrassment for me to be seen like that and it just wasn’t done. I needed to adapt!

I just got back from the grocery store in Amsterdam. The two girls ahead of me in the line, 20 somethings, were proudly wearing their sportswear.  I have seen a lot of crazy outfits around Amsterdam. Markus, you little rascal…. you and the French cured me of my sweat pants. I could get away with wearing sweatpants, yoga pants or just about anything in this fun city, but I wouldn’t think of it unless I am really on my way to the gym at that very moment.

—Allison Ochs