“You are never too old to wear boring clothes!”
Written by Adel
This is what 100-year-old fashion icon Iris Apfel said. This woman has experienced a century’s worth of advice on clothing, interior design, style, entertainment, and everything linked to creativity. Her colourful approach to style and life has inspired millions of people and has been documented by the media, museums, and on film.
Photo: Iris has a way with accessories. Magnolia Pictures, The Guardian
The reason for introducing you to this most joyful person is that it might breathe new life into your upcoming summer. It is understandable that after an exhausting year at school you might be in need of rethinking your values, and reading a bit of motivation. So in this article, I will share with you the top 3 pieces of advice from this fashion icon, and a few pieces of inspiration for styling your clothing.
“Style is something within. It's a matter of attitude.”
Iris truly believes that style is something we have in our DNA. It is the way we look at things, the way we present ourselves, and our attitude. In her articles, she writes how disappointed she feels by young people who strive to look the same as others, or to only be “trendy”. She claims they are missing out on so much. So the tip for you is to sit down, explore your personality and your values, create a pinterest board of the styles you admire, objects that fit your vibe, and create something that will be only yours. Don’t forget that accessories and details are everything! You can step into summer with originality and confidence.
Don't waste time on regret.
We might apply this quote to many occasions. Exams at school, not telling our loved ones how much we care about them, not spending enough time doing the things that push us forward, or not spending the summer effectively. What was in the past, stays in the past. Now we can only focus on making our present moment unforgettable, and putting an effort into making our future great. The tip for you is to ask yourself who do you want to be at the end of the summer or at the end of the year. Imagine who you could become if you focused on yourself, and lived without the regrets of wasted potential. What can you do to love more, to work on yourself more, to travel more, to dress according to yourself, or to achieve more? As Iris's husband used to tell her, “You have one trip, baby, so enjoy it."
'Life is grey and dull, so you might as well have a little fun when you dress.'
The first person that comes to my mind when I hear this quote is obviously Iris Apfel. I love the ways she plays with different colours, and how she styles her jewellery. Her jewellery collection has been the subject of countless museum exhibitions. Her famous quote "As long as you’re true to yourself, you’ll look wonderful" encourages the public to dress according to their own style, and to have fun with it. When it comes to her style, she isn’t afraid to experiment with different fabrics, glamorous prints, embroidery, ruffles, and a range of colours. Through all of this she celebrates her age and adopts a cheerful approach towards getting older.
Photo: Dress, from a selection, Carolina Herrera at Saks Fifth Avenue, RICHARD PHIBBS, Harper's Bazaar
This is your sign that you should feel at your highest potential even at home, when all of your friends are on vacation. In a dress like this, there is no time for summer depression!
Photo: Kitchen Inspired By Iris Apfel, Vogue archive