If you think you’ve seen some cute old couples, you should get ready for the next level: old couples in matching outfits.
Tsuyoshi and Tomi Seki of Sendai, Japan, have taken their love of matching clothes to a new level. The couple’s fashionable coordinated outfits have launched them to Instagram fame and gotten them two book deals and a clothing line.
But they didn’t start out looking for fame. They just found a shared interest. It was their daughter who helped propel them to internet celebrity.
“[Our daughter] took photos of us and posted them on her own Instagram account,” Tomi said. “She received lots of comments so suggested that we start our own account.”
The sweet old couple never expected to be so successful.
Since they did so well on her account, Tsuyoshi and Tomi decided to go for it. But they’re still not looking for fame — they’re just enjoying posting pictures of having fun together. Their Instagram handle, bonpon511, is a combination of their nicknames and their anniversary date.
Tsuyoshi and Tomi have been married for 38 years, and they are clearly still enjoying their time together. Since they started their Instagram account at the end of 2016, they have earned 76,000 followers. They have also published two books on the secrets of a happy marriage and started their own line of clothing and accessories.
Their Instagram account is a testament to having fun in old age.
They have always enjoyed similar clothing, the couple says. It wasn’t until they started posting on Instagram that they began to consciously match their outfits. The results are pretty sweet, and the internet cannot handle it.
Their posts show them in matching outfits for a variety of activities, from boating to celebrating Halloween to enjoying time at the Akita Museum of Modern Art. They must stop traffic wherever they go. But they still are humble in their aspirations.
But they aren’t worried about becoming high-end style icons.
“Of course, we’re happy to be described as style icons in the media, but that’s not really how we see ourselves,” Tomi said. “We wear simple, inexpensive clothes that anyone can buy.”
Most of their clothing comes from local supermarket chains and other chains. They are average, low-cost outfits that anyone can afford. The fun is in the coordination.
Tsuyoshi and Tomi met at a festival back in their college days, when they were both art students. They married after college. Tsuyoshi made a career in art and design, while Tomi decided to turn her attention to their family.
Almost 40 years later, they clearly still enjoy one another’s company. They also have an enduring sense of humor, as can be seen in their Instagram posts and hashtags. During one of their anniversary posts, the couple appeared in matching checked gingham outfits with the hashtags #over60 and #greyhair.
They’re making their retirement a new adventure and hope others do the same.
The couple says they also make a conscious effort to take photos that match their surroundings for a, particularly striking look. So, it’s not just about matching one another. It’s a coordinated art project and one that Tsuyoshi and Tomi take seriously with a smattering of humor. But it’s not all about fashion and married love — they also want to reach out to other seniors to encourage them to have fun in their old age.
“Now we’re on our own and finally have the time to do all the things we didn’t have the time to do when we were raising a family and working,” Tomi said. “We want to show that retirement can be a lot of fun, especially if you find something you enjoy doing together.”
They are thrilled by the attention they’ve garnered and have a lot of love for their fans.
“We’re overwhelmed by the number of comments, although we’re unable to understand all of them,” Tsuyoshi said. “But we’re extremely grateful to everyone who takes the time to post.”
They’re not the only seniors who are making a splash on Instagram.
Halfway across the world, another pair of over-60s is gaining followers for a similar reason.
Geoffrey and Pauline Walker live in Chichester, England. Their Instagram account is by all accounts nothing special — it’s just an account of their life together. But their followers love it, mostly because this pair is still head-over-heels for one another after 66 years. Geoffrey is 87 years old. Whether they’re describing recent illnesses or talking about hitting the town for a night out, the Walkers are clearly still smitten.
“Parted By Conflict,” reads the Instagram account. “Our early years now on Amazon We’re just a couple of Christian oldies living in an English Village. Married Pauline, Dec 15, 1951.”
Geoffrey is a Christian composer and poet. He and Pauline spend their days shopping together, taking tea in their garden, and going to local community events. They don’t claim to have the most exciting life, but they enjoy sharing it and are very happy together.
Their story is clearly inspiring. Since starting their Instagram account, the Walkers have garnered more than 6,000 followers.
Geoffrey is clearly proud of his wife, and his love is evident in every post he makes.
“Pauline ready for a night out with the ladies,” read one post. “Yes, of course, she has made her clothes.”
They might be in their 80s, but the Walkers have still got it.
The posts are a lovely reminder that couples in love think that their spouse is wonderful even when they’re just having tea together. Geoffrey and Pauline miss one another when they’re apart and enjoy time together, even if they’re just going out for a meal.
On a post of his wife in a mint-green dress and pearls, Geoffrey commented: “Pauline as stunning today as she was at sixteen.”
Just like Tsuyoshi and Tomi, Geoffrey and Pauline have inspired thousands of Instagram followers with their love. Whether these couples are going on outings on the water, taking a day trip to Shakespeare’s hometown, or just sitting down for some tea, they’re everyone’s #relationshipgoals.
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