Would you ever dress like your spouse? Before you answer, let’s be clear: we’re talking about wearing identical outfits, such as matching t-shirts and jeans, maybe even coordinating male/female sandals, just for fun. And we’re talking about doing this on a regular or daily basis—planning to dress alike in order to show off your absolute commitment to one another!
If you answered YES, then you might need to know that nearly everyone who sees you is probably laughing at you, especially if making matching outfits a part of your daily routine. The only exception, of course, might be the 91-year-old couple who goes on their first cruise together to celebrate their 75th anniversary and decides to purchase matching Hawaiian shirts. (They can do whatever they want, given the fact that they’ve been married for 75 years.) Unfortunately, for the rest of the world, dressing like your significant other on a daily basis is a bit strange and a little over the top when it comes to symbolizing or outwardly expressing your commitment (or love) for one another. To put it simply, it’s weird. (And a bit desperate!)
Let’s break it down. Certainly, there are moments in life when wearing the same outfit may be okay. Here are some instances when a couple can dress alike without looking like bloopers from a reality TV show:
When Matching Outfits Are Actually Acceptable
- Sporting events: If your child plays sports, or if your relationship status has a lot to do with the seasonal record of the Washington Redskins or Florida Gators—sure, go ahead and dress alike in team colors. Wearing the same t-shirt to cheer on a team is no big deal. There will be A LOT of people dressed alike at these events, so you won’t stick out like an elephant on the beach.
- Dress-up occasions: If you’re attending a themed party or outing, such as one for Halloween, matching outfits would be perfectly fine. After all, they would be considered “costumes,” not everyday wear.
- When you share a uniform: If you both work at the same place and the job requires a uniform (for example, as UPS package car drivers), then obviously, you’re both going to wear matching brown outfits. No big deal—it’s a job requirement.
- Cause events: Whether it’s a breast cancer walk, supporting your favorite Republican Party member, or volunteering for a community-based program, matching outfits make sense here. Since there will be many people dressed alike at such events, you won’t be alone in this.
- Family photos: Your summer beach portrait might look great with everyone wearing black shirts and blue jeans on the white sandy beaches. But if EVERY picture of you and your partner on your iPhone shows the two of you dressed alike, you might want to rethink a few things.
- If your partner has Alzheimer’s or another condition: In this case, matching outfits can help others easily identify what your partner is wearing if they get lost. This way, you won’t have to remember which shirt your partner wore before they wandered off.
- If you’re bikers: If you’re riding motorcycles together, especially as a tough biker couple cruising down Main Street, no one will bat an eye if you’re dressed alike.
Obviously, there are other moments when matching outfits might be appropriate. Formal events are a great time to coordinate your colors. However, no man should ever show up in the exact same formalwear as his partner. EVER. Even if you’re a same-sex couple, it’s okay to match, but please don’t try to become exact replicas of each other.
Dressing alike should be reserved for toddler twins, siblings, and teenage best friends. Even in those situations, there comes a time when this behavior needs to stop.
Additionally, dressing like your significant other can show an extremely high level of concern about forcing the rest of the world to see you as a COUPLE. There are plenty of other ways for the world to realize that the two of you are together. Dressing alike doesn’t have to be one of them. It shouldn’t be one of them. The least you could do is buy the same shirt in two different colors so you don’t look like The Bopsy Twins. Even this idea is best saved for when you’re on vacation!
So FESS UP! Do you and your significant other ever dress alike? Do you think it’s okay, or is it just plain creepy and weird?
