Spoonie Fashion or the Lack Thereof: 4 Reasons Why We May Be Wearing Sweatpants

(To be honest, I want to be this pug.)

I've always been a casual, jeans-and-t-shirt kind of gal, but in the past four years, my fashion style has become based solely around what I'm most comfortable wearing. Sometimes that makes me feel insecure about myself, and I know a lot of spoonies might feel the same way. It took me forever to realize that I'm not a terrible person because of this--I just have a chronic illness. So, if you also wear sweatpants, this post is for you. Also, if you happen to see me, and I happen to be wearing sweatpants, here is why.

1. Comfort

The number one reason is comfort. I have headaches, overall body pain, and fatigue on a regular basis. For me, I've chosen to prioritize my comfort above all else. Jeans can be constricting and uncomfortable, so I mostly wear cotton tees, hoodies, or flannels with yoga pants, cotton shorts, or sweatpants. I often need to lay down on my bad days, so wearing comfy things helps me be able to do that easily. When I'm in a lot of pain, the last thing I want to do is worry about the fabric on my body, so my default is always comfort.

2. Lack of spoons

I only have a certain amount of spoons, so I focus my energy on the important things: putting on deodorant, brushing my hair, and wearing a bra. If I spend a bunch of time getting myself all dressed up, it can wear me out faster, so on most days, I keep things simple. It's not because I don't like to look pretty; it's just because most days I need to conserve my energy for other things.

3. I'm not going out that day

Currently, I spend a lot of time at home, and because of that, I usually keep things casual. I will absolutely dress up if I'm going to a formal event, and I do like dressing up on occasion. But for just hanging out at home, you can probably find me in sweatpants and a graphic t-shirt (and sometimes even pink pajama pants).

4. Shopping is hard

This is a universal problem: a lot of people have trouble finding clothes to fit their body type. I'm too short for most pants and I'm curvy, so it's difficult to find clothes that fit right on the first try. But as a spoonie, shopping is exhausting. It takes a lot of energy, especially to try on clothes, and I get worn out really quickly. It's a lot easier to just grab some comfy cotton clothing and call it a day.

To sum up this post, I'm a casual kind of gal, which is only exacerbated by my health problems. Would my fashion style be different if I didn't have a chronic illness? Maybe, maybe not. But all I know is, sweatpants are the greatest thing in the world.

To all my fellow spoonies who wear comfy clothes: I see you, and you're not alone.

What's your spoonie fashion style?