I receive countless comments from my followers across all my social media about how much they admire me just being myself. Somehow this seems very courageous to people. I find that shocking and not shocking. Being yourself and finding ways to express that in how you dress, how you negotiate life and in your behavior is what in my view makes you the most attractive. It makes others take notice. It makes you stand out.
Recently during fashion week, the weather here in New York was very cold and on one particular day freezing rain and ice. As I arrived or waited on a line I saw women posing without their coats in order to show off an outfit, take the perfect fashion week photo and hope to be featured in the street style photos appearing in the online fashion magazines every day. They and I were surrounded by photographers taking our photos. Although I had lovely outfits, gifted or lent by designers, it never once occurred to me to take off my coat…BECAUSE IT WAS COLD. Once inside it was another story and sitting in the warmth with beautiful clothes certainly helped to mitigate the shyness that still accompanies me like an accessory into big events like fashion shows.
The day of the ice storm I had been given some incredible boots with heels to wear with a dress and coat from perhaps my favorite designer of the week. I carried them in my bag and put on my good old clunky Stutterheim rain boots with their cheerful red accent. I thought I could change when I got to the show. As I nearly slipped and fell 3 times, even in my appropriate for the weather boots, I decided to forego the perfect high heeled look for the sake of beauty and make a pragmatic decision in the service of self-preservation. I entered the show with my snowboots and took a seat.
However, the funniest part of this story is that all through fashion week every day I attended, I appeared in Vogue.com, each time my coat the prominent feature. The photographer, Phil Oh, who I got to know told me he loved my collection of coats! The day after the ice storm, when I checked, there I was in my beautiful grey coat, complete with my Stutterheims and their cheeky red stripe. The ladies with the strapless tops, slip dresses, super high heels and goosebumps were no where to be seen. The moral of this story: being you is always going to be the real star of the show.
What are you wearing when you are “doing you” and feel most yourself?
Love this!❤️
Perfectly said and wholeheartedly agreed with!
Thank you!
My beautiful 15 year old Max Mara swing coat is my constant companion in the cold. Who wants to be miserable? I see them lines up at night in the slip dresses and strapless jobs waiting to get into clubs.
Love this !
So happy.
Being yourself and finding ways to express that in how you dress, how you negotiate life and in your behavior is what in my view makes you the most attractive. …..that sentiment truly describes the power of personal style!
Perfectly stated!
“Being Yourself in any setting or situation, Is certainly success.”
A great definition.
Thank you!
I am about to turn 60 , I can remember when I was in high school and I always dressed in my own style they use to call me stylish Lucy. Lost some of that after 4 children and almost 40 years married; thank god for my 21 year old stylish daughter she has resurfaced my stylish looks and I feel good. She connected me with Lyn at Accidental Icon…
I love this. Great story!
I loved your coat and your post. There is nothing better than being ourselves and enjoying it all!
Absolutely love, love, love! And I love coats as well!
Love it!
You’re great Lyn! I admire you. It’s fantastic what you say happened. Graciela from Argentina!
Mostly white, my favorite neutral color or any bright approachable colors that compliment my skin. I draw energy from them. Must be comfortable and belly forgiving or solve belly w fashion creativity like laying a dark fitted half button up top.
A problem-solving approach to fashion!
Mostly white, my favorite neutral color or any bright approachable colors that compliment my skin. I draw energy from them. Must be comfortable and belly forgiving or solve belly w fashion creativity like laying a dark fitted half button up top.
Clever solution.
Found you from tv commercial and I’m glad I did. Enjoy you and your philosophy.
Welcome to everyone who has newly found me!
I saw u & said I have to follow her..
I love your style.. I’m 69 years old and don’t want to dress the age.. you give me so much confidence
And my followers serve to give me confidence too, so thank you.
So what is “the age?” Thinking back to the 60’s and 70’s, I remember “older women” having the audacity to wear what “we” were wearing, the mini skirts, hot pants, etc; thinking that these women, who, looking back, were probably in their 40’s, were entirely too old to wear these fashions. Now I’m 68 and get it. What is “too old” and exactly what is an “older woman” supposed to be wearing? I’m not willing to be defined by fashion or style or lifestyle choices. I went gray 20 years ago and one would have thought I had striped naked and stood in Times Square! My friends were appalled telling me that people would think I looked old. Old? Hell no! I’m “just” 68 and enjoying this time in my life. Enjoying doing what I want to do and when and how I want to do it. I refuse to be labeled. Standing in a grocery line the other day, wearing my usual winter outfit – leggings, boots, long sweater and vest, and my hair down to my shoulders, a man came up to me and said, “Stay right there while I get my wife.” So here he came, dragging this woman up to me and stating, “See, if you would stop dying your hair and wear what you wear around the house, you would look like this woman – a silver haired fox!” Score! I win!
Fabulous.
Great post xx
I found out I am feeling myself the most while wearing clothes that feel comfortable and „my style“, no matter what is said to be fashionable or trendy. In my me-style I am able to concentrate on what I want to reflect to others more than on what I wear.
I attend Fashion Week here in Germany twice a year and nowadays I am able to pack quite smart while only bringing some favourite pieces that are easy to mix and match. This is my way to rock it. ?
There are some German designers I really love, Dorothee Schumacher, being one.
Thanks for that. Each day you inspire us older women to understand dressing up and fashion is not only for the young. And that we don’t have to dress like young people to look fashionable.
We can dress however we wish, it is completely under our control.
Good for you! I’m sometimes stunned when I see young women going out in skimpy outfits in the winter, and standing outside – aren’t they cold?
This is how women reduce their own worth – by not respecting themselves.
I think that is the irony of the story right? When you love you, others will too.
Love this! I am living in Montreal and it is important to cope with our winter reality, but it is possible to make it fashionable! Our choice of outerwear is important! Please continue to assume nordicity, stay warm and safe.
And self-care should always be the top priority!
I’m really big fan of Your page…You’re such a big Icon for Fashion styles…(Hearty saying)…!! And this Coat ids so Stunning!
I too love coats! My favorite is a raspberry Yves St Laurent from the 70’s (think Dr Zhivago) Oh yes, love my beautiful St Laurent blue spring cape. (Previously owned by Claire Boothe Luce) Bit of a story here. Would love to see pics of your coats
I would love to see them!
Ok, I never post anywhere but I have to jump in this……”Me”…..boot-cut Old Navy jeans that fit me just right, white button-down blouse from GAP, black vintage Prada kitten heels that I’ve had for 20 years, spectacular silver hoop earrings and Honeybee Gardens pink lipstick in “Romance”. My go-to-guaranteed-to-boost-my-spirits “me” outfit.
Hi Lyn! Great post! Love that you are yourself. And YES to keeping your jacket on even though it was cold during NYFW! To answer your question, I truly enjoy spending time with my girlfriends and wear clothing which is simple yet stylish. Here’s to spring coming soon!
Can’t wait to shed all these winter layers!
Bravo for sticking to the practical footwear! It’s been terribly icy here most of the winter so I’ve been wearing my clunky Paladium boots with strap-on spikes. You do have an enviable collection of outerwear and I’m glad it was featured during fashion week.
This winter it seems that “doing me” primarily involves something black and grey with an unusual shape or texture, and sturdy, no-slip footwear
Everything I wear … is me doing me. No matter where I go, or what I am doing, I try to make what I have on all about me. I have never followed fashion as such, if i like it, I wear it!
I thank you for your blog … so inspiring, not just for what we wear, but mostly for me the state of your mind, the fact that you are so unapologetically you!
Very well stated. And a wonderful lesson. ✨✨✨
you are amazing!! Absolutely loved this. And I think you looked fabulous – no wonder you were featured daily 🙂
When I am the most comfortable being me. I am usually wearing a pair of jeans, a simple white T or shirt and a comfy hoodie or sweater. These are my go to outfits and I feel very free, relaxed and comfortable in them..❤️
Ah, my go-to uniform as well.
Someone recently commented they wish they had my bravery to dress the way I dress. I replied that I wasn’t being brave; it comes naturally when I’m at my closet. This affirms that it isn’t about others’ approval is disapproval that enters my decisions; it’s about self-love.
Commen
El invierno es el invierno: para todo el mundo¡¡¡ Seres humanos, animales, clima, plantas, no podemos hacer nada por que sea de otra manera.
Sigue asi , Lyn¡¡¡
I wear my favorite alpaca motorcycle sweater that I knitted myself, black jeans and flat boots from All Saints. I, too, love my vast collection of coats. I think this comes from growing up very near Canada where the weather didn’t allow for next-to-nothing dresses and the first impression was always made by a beautiful coat. To this day, when I’m shopping for something new, I’ll always gravitate toward the coats before anything else.
Love them too.
Thanks for sharing this amazing post.
Being you, authentically you is definitely refreshing and attractive
Yes we should all remember that!
Hello Lyn. Reading your content is my new favourite ‘Thing’ in the evenings, and like my love affair with ‘Fejioa’ gelato, or my obsession for online research, I know you will always keep me in thrall. Because you are so awesomely intelligent and REAL. Right now I’m feeling a little shame-faced, reading about your icy days. I’m 70 and live in Auckland, New Zealand. We’re experiencing some 10 degree nights and 20 – 24 degree days as we head into Autumn, so I’ve been feeling a little sorry for myself because I need to wear more clothing. While further south is far cooler through the winter months, Auckland and further north could be described as sub-tropical, with high humidity and 30+ degree high summer days. What I feel most comfortable wearing is… As little as possible under these conditions. A sarong, kaftan or strappy maxi dress with nothing underneath in my non-air-conditioned house during the heat of summer. But winter is an opportunity to wrap myself in the sensual delights of cashmere, wool, goose-down and leather. Give me comfort, great fit, brilliant cut, awesome style and fabulous colours. My winters aren’t long or cold enough (we think our throats are cut if the daytime temperature drops below 10 degrees!) for a wardrobe of coats, so I just have a couple of neutral peacoats and a goosedown puffer jacket. My wardrobe only stocks authentic ‘me’ clothing, but a go-to is a loose top, slim jeans, soft leather ankle boots, linen jacket and a hobo bag.
I can clearly see all the beautiful pieces of clothing you are describing,
Dear Fashion Icon,
I’m a fan and delight in your musings. I’m wondering if one can be a participant in expressing the beauty of fashion without being a relentless consumer of it’s products. Would love to see some pictures with the same garments mixed differently. Some of us don’t have big closets, big wallets, and want to live sustainably (reduce our environmental foot print).
Over here in Sydney, I’m a big coats fan too. But our cold weather season is relatively short-lived, unlike Melbourne down south where it’s four seasons in one day. So my coat-wearing too is short-lived, unless I can find a lighter version. Trenches are my all-time faves. There’s something about being all covered up that I find appealing.
i have been loving trenches, they are kind of mysterious because they do cover you up.I have bee loving oversized clothing for the same reasons.
Love this so much! Everyone is always telling me to take my coat off! I feel like my coat is usually the best part of my outfit, not an afterthought.
Exactly
I have dressed the way I want most of life. Sometimes it was in style and sometimes not. You have to know that someone will talk about you behind your back if you re different. You just have to keep on anyway.
Such authentic expression. Thank you! We need more or this in this world.
Thank you!
Such authentic expression. Thank you! We need more of this in this world.
And ore of us sharing our wisdom!
Thanks for the coat blog this looks so fantastic..!
For me, that magic item is a great scarf, a great shawl, a fabulous cloak. I fell in love with India 30 years ago, and that still influences my fashion. My partner calls me “a bit boho” but it just feels a bit me. I tend towards basic black with the most fabulous accessories I can find: standout glasses, chunky jewelry, fingerless gloves, that gorgeous wrap. (Not all at once, at least not generally.) Right now I am living in Ireland for two years, and as I prepare to return to the steps, I’m having a cloak made of green and black Donegal tweed. A bit Irish, a bit Indian, a bit me.C
this has to be the coolest grandma in the world
I too love coats and I have a ton of them, although I live in California….coats and boots!
Thank you for this added inspiration and to find another being out there with a similar mindset. It truly is amazing how powerful it is to just, “be yourself”. So, to answer the question…wearing riding pants (that most confuse as being yoga pants), and cowgirl boots. You can imagine some of the looks I get from this confusion, but I have learned to embrace it. Also, it has led to some of the best conversations and being able to share with people my purpose (which is helping people be empowered by embracing the Amazingness horses have to offer). Thank you again for what you do. Could you imagine a world with more people just being themselves?
I just can say that this is perfectly stated. Love it!
Do u know who is the coolest woman in this world? – You!
Bravo ????
I love wearing my little charcoal jacket. I live in a tiny town and no one ever wears a ‘formal’ coat, but I love to wear a more formal coat. I love to wear a hat. It is not something that people here do often…but I get feedback from other women who say, ‘ I love hats’! I have decided that fashion is too casual for me and I am geographically misplaced! I love to dress up!
you are wonderful and very noble
Can’t go past my Harris Tweed. So warm and cosy. Great message. Let’s celebrate ourselves!!
As a very young kid, I was very aware of color, texture, and design. Now at sixty-six I have taken the steering wheel and retired to pursue fashion design and pattern making. I agree with Ms. Slater’s message. I’ve become one of her new fans.
I am 60 years old and still trying to figure out how to look good in the fall/winter AND be comfortable. I wear heels less and less, and here in Ohio, it seems most people dress like the Michelin man in the winter – giant, puffy coats and black winter snow boots. Of course, we are not in danger of ending up on Vogue.com, but I’d still like to learn how to be fabulous all year round!
Of course, stay tuned.
I am *doing me* when I feel that my clothes tell my story.
I agree!
Interesting Piece of work. Thanks!
Great blog article. Couldn’t be write much better!
thanks