5 Style Lessons Courtesy of Iris Apfel

21 Oct 5 Style Lessons Courtesy of Iris Apfel

Here on The City, we are all about cultivating personal style, luckily, we can look to some of our favorite celebrities for a few style lessons.

I remember a little girl–no more than six–that walked past me at Panera Bread once. She had clearly dressed herself choosing to wear her favorite things. Like, a candy necklace, a tutu over leggings and those plastic dress-up princess heels.

Basically, how I would have dressed myself at her age. I always admired people like that, who dress for no one but themselves. At 90 years old, Iris Apfel is one of those people.

Iris has become an icon in her gracefully old age. Not because of her work atWomen’s Wear Daily in the 40s, or as an interior designer for Eleanor Roosevelt. Not her White House restoration projects under nine presidents, or even her Rara Avis (Rare Bird) exhibit at the MET showing off her fashionable clothing.

But her style, that has helped her to reach icon status, and there are five things in particular we can take from it.

1. Go big or go home

When Iris found out that she needed to where glasses, she said she, “Might as well wear glasses!” Now, when you see Iris you see her signature huge frames. Let’s apply this to our look, we have to get dressed so we ‘might as well get dressed!’

2. Worship at the alter of accessories

I watched a YouTube video of Iris explaining her style and she said that she learned from her mother who, “Worshiped at the alter of accessories.”She told Iris that it didn’t matter if she had one black dress if she invested in accessories to give it a million different looks. And clearly, this is something that Iris takes to heart, look at the way she piles on the accessories.

3. Mix the high with the low

In another interview I read, Iris mentioned that she has absolutely no problem mixing the high with the low. In fact, she loves Topshop and like to pair cheaper finds with her high-end pieces. I’m all about that! Just know when to invest in quality pieces.

4. Break all the rules

Iris is the perfect example of doing whatever the eff you want. Remember that Coco Chanel rule about taking one thing off? Iris piles more on! Look at her arm party! She wears crazy colored furs and mixes her prints and I love it.

5. Don’t be afraid to age gracefully

In a society where 20 year-olds are getting Botox to prevent frown lines and wrinkles, it is quite refreshing to see a lady not afraid to look her age. We all should be so blessed to look like that at 90.Do you love Iris Apfel, too? I can’t get enough of her! Word on the e-streets is she is collaborating with MAC on a collection debuting early next year. I will definitely need that in my life.As a bonus, because I want you to see her cuteness in person, below is a video of Iris discussing her style.