Wardrobe Wisdom: Identity

Wardrobe Wisdom: IdentityThree fashion icons on lasting style

Finding your personal style is one of the hottest topics right now. But what does it take to create a truly lasting one? To find out, we meet three older fashion icons who share their invaluable fashion wisdom from lifelong journeys in style.

By Julia Carevic

23 October 2024 · 3 min read

It’s a common misconception that you simply outgrow fashion once you reach a certain point in life. When, really, it’s only with time and dedication (and experimentation!) that one can truly hone a look . Think 97-year-old Helen Van Winkle, aka Baddie Winkle, who took the internet by storm with her colourful, bold looks; Linda Rodin, a 70-something street style favourite whose style has been frequently discussed by Vogue to The New York Times; and, of course, maximalist Iris Apfel, who passed away at age 102 earlier this year, leaving behind a legacy of style inspiration.

All of those above are the embodiment of lasting style. So, what can we learn from such purveyors of style? What have they learned throughout their journeys in style? And what advice would they give to anyone trying to find their look? To find out, we meet three fashion icons — Jon, Marie, and Barry — and ask them to share their best wardrobe wisdom.

JON, 66

For Jon, fashion is a tool of self-expression. “You should go with what makes you feel good, because fashion and clothes enhance your personality,” the 66-year-old Brit advises. Take that from someone who’s left trends in the past. With decades of experience, he’s learned that true style isn’t about fitting in; it’s about understanding and embracing what you like. “When I was young, I was into trends. You’d dress that way to be part of a group. Now, as I get older, I don’t really care about trends. I wear what I like and if it’s no longer in fashion, it doesn’t matter to me.”

Today, his wardrobe tells a story, filled with cherished pieces he’s held onto for decades, like the leather jacket he bought aged 21 at Camden Lock Market. “I still wear it today. I’d be gutted if I’d lost the jacket. That jacket will bring you back to parties and festivals.” For him, clothes are more than just garments, they hold memories and character. As he wisely puts it, “garments develop their own individuality as they age.”

Shop Jon’s look

MARIE, mentally 20

“I do what I want,” says Marie. For the Parisian, liberté — freedom — is the best thing in life. And what does it take to be free in the fashion industry? Well, to her it’s about avoiding fashion trends (“trends are boring to me”) and staying curious. “I am very curious, everything inspires me. Even the spots on the floor. If you are curious, you will have a thousand ideas.”

Over the past decades, Marie has turned many of her ideas into accessories and jewellery, like a brooch she made years ago, but also garments, like the dress she printed with love letters from a past lover. It’s the oldest piece of clothing in her wardrobe, but not the only one she’s kept from earlier years. In fact, she keeps all of them, as sees them as a reference to her past — and we could listen to her for hours, hearing more of her wardrobe wisdom.

Shop Marie’s look

BARRY, 63

How do you get a style that lasts? For Barry, a Scot who now lives in the south of France, it all comes down to staying true to yourself: “Just have the confidence to be yourself. Wear whatever you feel good in and scream it out to the planet.” With decades of experimenting with fashion, you should definitely take his word for it. His style philosophy dates all the way back to when he was a young boy stealing his sister’s cardigan (“I tried it on and I felt like it looked even better on me”) and later learning to run in her six-inch platform heels to catch the bus.

The guitarist says his look is inspired by the glam rock era — he still owns a pair of flared jeans from years ago — and names David Bowie and Keith Richards in the ’70s as his style icons. He claims to know nothing about fashion, but we’d argue he knows everything about style.