For those of you who rant about ageism in the media, for those of you who are mad that popular culture ignores people who qualify for Medicare, for those of you griping about the way that the fashion industry has shut seniors out–I offer you example A: Ari Seth Cohen’s book, based on his blog, Advanced Style.
Over the past several years, Cohen has wandered the world taking photos of women and men who he finds stylish. Almost every day another photo brings another 70-100+ year old that is still invested in how they dress. His taste is eclectic. So is theirs. Sometimes I see the most stylish woman and think, “that’s who I want to be when I grow up.” 
Sometimes the outfits are more what I would call getups, but then I think, “if someone was a kooky dresser at 23, why should they have to change their style at 83?”
I started the blog–Ari Cohen says–in order to change people’s perception of aging and show that there is much fun to be had once you reach 80, 90 and 100 years old. Women often tell me that after 40 they have started to feel invisible. Throughout the last two months young girls have reached out to tell me that they look forward to growing old like the Advanced Style Ladies. Older women have commented that my photos have given them the permission to dress up and feel good about themselves. I am so grateful for the impact the book is having on everyone and have to give credit to my own incredible grandmothers. I know the ladies and gentleman that I meet have surely changed my perspective on aging and given me something to look forward to.
Cohen’s blog and his Ladies have become an acknowledged part of the international fashion scene. Aging women are suddenly in style! The fact, of course, that the poobahs of the fashion world, the Wintour’s et al, are getting older is not insignificant. Relevance starts at the top, after all.
True, it’s a niche market–which is what MidLifeBloggers and MidLife-Beauty are, after all. It is, however, for those of us headed in that direction, the thin end of the wedge to increased visibility and viability. Now it’s up to us to carry on and make our stand.
Go have a look at Advanced Style, the blog, and come back here to tell me what you think. What style do you plan NOT to give up as you grow older?
{ 6 comments }
