Boomers want style (even in mundane items) as a part of aging well

My husband and I just returned from a long weekend in the North Georgia mountains, where we took a little getaway to celebrate our 26th wedding anniversary. It was perfect convertible weather and we had a blast driving curvy mountain roads, eating in great restaurants and shopping in unique gift stores.

During our shopping treks, I couldn't help but notice a couple of interesting trends. I saw a lot more items clearly targeted to Boomers and seniors, including nostaligic posters, old tin toys, electronic brain games (right next to the kids' games!) and things like "ageless memories" books. By far, my favorite thing, though, was the countless number of very stylish walking sticks and canes.

Just a couple of years ago, these same shops carried wood carved walking sticks made from native trees and they didn't vary much. They clearly were all about function. This time, though, I saw all kinds of colorful, whimsical walking sticks, some of which carried little tags noting they were specifically for "hikers who seek style." That's code for "I don't want to look like I need this thing." In other words, Boomers and seniors can now hike with the grandchildren (or each other!) and use the walking stick or cane as a fashion accessory as much as for an assistive device.

I'll bet I saw 150 different styles in the course of a day. I even commented to Ralph that these walking sticks in particular would make a fun, interesting thing to collect.

To my way of thinking, these stylish sticks represent so much more than a fun, novelty item in a mountain gift store. They signal an overall trend we're seeing with Boomers. We're traveling more, trying new things and doing both with gusto and an eye toward companies and web sites that recognize that we don't want to defy age so much as we want to age well. We see no reason why we should have to sacrifice style for usability.

That's why you're seeing such a rise in everything from stylish, functional kitchen items to funky reading glasses.

Does your company provide or manufacture a common, functional device for Boomers and seniors? If so, are you keeping it relevant by making it stylish (or at least making the packaging attractive)? Maybe it's the device itself that needs a little spiffing up. Or perhaps you can start with the carrying case.

The point is that Boomers aren't gong to give up style for function as we age. We're still all about customization, personality, fun and above all graceful aging.

Comments

[Mikes Air Conditioning Repair]

I have been noticing the same thing but I can't help but wonder if this stuuf has been there awhile and I am just now noticing it

[Maggy2u]

"I have been noticing the same thing but I can't help but wonder if this stuuf has been there awhile and I am just now noticing it"

Stylish walking sticks and canes are definitely on the rise of collecting for a while. And it is getting increasingly hard to get a bargain. Let it be auctions flee markets, and so on.