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Honored Contributor
Posts: 10,199
Registered: ‎07-29-2014

Totally ageless style

[ Edited ]

owning it

 

 

Hsu Sho-Er and her husband Chang Wan Ji, who are both in their 80s, believe "age is not a barrier to have fun in fashion"


People.com   July 28, 2020 03:20 PM
 
Taiwan elderly couple become IG celebrities by modeling leftover clothes in laundry, Taichung - 14 Jun 2020

 

An elderly couple who own a laundromat together is bringing joy to people around the world as they model customers' forgotten clothes and creatively remind them to pick up their laundry.

 

Hsu Sho-Er and her husband Chang Wan-Ji have gone viral and captured the hearts of thousands after they posted several photos of themselves on Instagram wearing clothing that was left behind at their Taiwan laundromat.

 

The couple's grandson, Reef Chang, set up the account for them in June, according to CNN, and he has continued to document his grandparents on the platform as they model variations of the vintage clothing inside and outside of their Taichung business.

 

"I didn't think people would like it," Wan-Ji, 83, admitted to the outlet, noting that his initial response to the idea was, "Will anybody want to look at this?"

 
Taiwan elderly couple become IG celebrities by modeling leftover clothes in laundry, Taichung - 14 Jun 2020

 

But as it turns out, Wan-Ji's initial beliefs couldn't have been further from the truth.

 

As of Tuesday afternoon, Sho-Er and Wan-Ji have accumulated over 519,000 followers through just 21 Instagram posts.

 

Some photos feature them posed on a chair with hats and jackets, while others have them modeling sunglasses, Adidas sweatshirts, tourist shirts, dresses and leather jackets outside their laundromat.

 

In many of the early posts, Chang, 31, accompanied the photo with a caption  that explains where his inspiration for the dress-up idea came from.

 

"These old clothes have been abandoned by customers at the laundry for years. Owners of the laundry store, Wan-Ji and Sho-Er who are over 80 years old," he wrote. "Grandson just can't bear to see them overwhelmed with bore every day."

 

"So, ask them to reinterpret fashion, hoping to let everyone know that age is not a barrier to have fun in fashion and even old clothing can transform into trendy outfits!" he continued. "💡A friendly reminder|Don’t forget to pick up your laundry."

 

Taiwan elderly couple become IG celebrities by modeling leftover clothes in laundry, Taichung - 14 Jun 2020
 
Taiwan elderly couple become IG celebrities by modeling leftover clothes in laundry, Taichung - 14 Jun 2020

 

After the couple hit 100,000 followers, Chang noted that his grandparents were "a little surprised but also very confused."

 

"I really want to show my gratitude to everyone who likes them!" he wrote. "They don’t know how is this even possible, over 50,000 followers are from other countries! I told them 'Just try to imagine it this way, you’ve got many grandsons and granddaughters who also love you all over the world!'"

 

In their latest photo, Chang once again acknowledged how his grandparents had unexpectedly become viral sensations and discussed the stories behind the pieces of clothing they were wearing.

 

"From 6/27 to 7/27, what a surprising month for Wan-Ji and Sho-Er!" he wrote. "Sho-Er said, 'Don’t just keep resting every day because you think you’re old. This will only make you older!'"

 

Taiwan elderly couple become IG celebrities by modeling leftover clothes in laundry, Taichung - 14 Jun 2020
 
Chang also noted that the sweater Wan-Ji was wearing had been unclaimed for five to 10 years, while Sho-Er's top had been left sitting in the laundromat for three to five years.

 

Over the past month, Chang told CNN that seeing his grandparents, who have owned the business for 70 years, dress up in clothing that is much different from their usual style has been quite amusing.

 

"Grandpa loves wearing a suit because he wants people to see that he washes and irons clothes properly" Chang shared with the outlet. "He thinks that if we are running a laundromat but look dirty, then no one will come in. He thinks it shows his professionalism, so he insists on wearing an ironed suit."

 

As for Sho-Er, Chang said, "When my grandma was young, she was a fashionable girl. There are two wardrobes full of her old clothes, and the style is similar to that of the female stars of her generation. But now, she is more concerned that the clothes are comfortable."

 

Though they never expected to become viral sensations, Sho-Er told CNN that she has enjoyed every moment with her husband.

 

"Knowing that people still like me makes it feel like I have more grandsons and granddaughters," she said.

_

Honored Contributor
Posts: 13,775
Registered: ‎07-09-2011

@feline groovy 

 

Thank you for the very interesting post!

 

A breath of fresh air.

"Animals are not my whole world, but they have made my world whole" ~ Roger Caras
Honored Contributor
Posts: 10,199
Registered: ‎07-29-2014

@Drythe :  they are indeed.  8)

Honored Contributor
Posts: 16,566
Registered: ‎04-04-2014

I think the first shirt that he's wearing belongs to my husband! 
😉

 

What fun! They look like they're having a blast

Honored Contributor
Posts: 9,054
Registered: ‎06-14-2010

What a great article!  This young at heart couple look wonderful and the outfits are fashion statements. They look like they are having fun and are enjoying their looks and that gives me a big smile!!!

 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 10,432
Registered: ‎05-15-2016

How fun! I really enjoyed that. Thanks for posting this 

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,632
Registered: ‎04-03-2010

Totally ageless is right!!  They look great.  Still fit and full of life in their 80's.  Good for them. 

Flowers are nature's way of laughing
Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,929
Registered: ‎06-13-2010

Re: Totally ageless style

[ Edited ]

This is such a heartwarming, feel good story! It's wonderful to see such creativity! They REALLY appear to be having a good time as they share their new found passion with others!

 

The expressions on their faces say it all- living their best life! I just LOVE IT, and can't stop smiling.😁 Thank you so much for sharing this.👍👍

 

 

~~~All we need is LOVE💖

Honored Contributor
Posts: 43,248
Registered: ‎01-08-2011

Very enjoyable!  Good for them!!!Smiley Happy

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,719
Registered: ‎03-19-2010

What a great grandson to "push" his grandparents to seize the day.  Love it!!   Thanks.