Gen X - Aging in Place

Cheetah coats and my 20s

Blondie t-shirt from classic PDX store “Naked City.” Cheetah coat from “Village Merchants.” Leopard print vanity chair - a gift from my sister.

I bought this coat. So iconic 90s Portland, so my 20s. This coat made me think of the phrase “aging in place.” I am still in my 20s, in my 30s, in my 40s and resting in my 50 something body. Aging in place. Aging in the space, the place, that is my body.

I’ve felt envious of fellow gen-x icons who have held on to the spirit of their 90s/20something selves. Like Juliette Lewis in “Yellow Jackets.” She rocks that style so hard, she owns it. Like she never left her 20s.

Juliette Lewis, she makes me want to dye my hair and buy a black leather jacket.

I’ve always wanted a leopard or cheetah coat but never found the right one. My sister wore exclusively leopard print faux fur coats the whole entire time she was on this earth. Leopard coats have always felt like hers somehow, regardless if she owned it or not.

Many times I have held up a leopard coat from the racks and thought ”That’s Hallie’s coat,” and put it back.

If my sister were still here she would be aging in place, like Juliette Lewis. My sister vibrated with daring and a wicked laugh. She would say “yes” to this coat. She would say “fuck yes” to this coat.

And so I said yes.