Iris Apfel’s Enduring Style Wisdom: A Celebration of Individuality

Iris Apfel was far more than a fashion icon; she was a living embodiment of creative freedom and joyful self-expression. Born in Astoria, Queens in 1921 and living to be over 100, she influenced generations not just by what she wore, but by her irrepressible attitude toward style, aging, and the art of living unapologetically. Apfel’s fearless approach to fashion—anchored in her now-legendary oversized spectacles, layers of bold jewelry, and joyful disregard for passing trends—challenged prevailing notions of beauty and inspired countless admirers to see style as an act of self-love and originality.

Table of Contents

• Introduction: Who Was Iris Apfel?
• Iris Apfel’s Style Philosophy
• 10 Iconic Iris Apfel Style Quotes
• Fashion as Self-Expression
• Life Lessons Beyond Fashion
• How to Channel Iris Apfel’s Style Today
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Introduction: Who Was Iris Apfel?

Iris Apfel was one of the most recognizable figures in the world of design and fashion. With a storied career spanning textiles, interior design, and fashion, Apfel became especially celebrated later in life for her inventive personal style—earning her nicknames like “geriatric starlet” and leading to countless profiles, museum exhibitions, and collaborations with top brands. Her commitment to individuality, quick wit, and sense of fun made her not only a style icon but a cultural iconoclast.

Iris Apfel’s Style Philosophy

At the heart of Iris Apfel’s life was a simple but profound belief: authenticity trumps approval. She defied the ever-changing tides of fashion, instead cultivating a wardrobe and personal image that brought her joy and captured her one-of-a-kind spirit.

• “More is more and less is a bore.” — Iris’s love of maximalism is legendary, manifesting in her layers of vivid jewelry and daring color combinations.
• “Life is gray and dull; you might as well have a little fun when you dress.” — Apfel viewed dressing as an act of play that injects joy into everyday life.
• “Great personal style is an extreme curiosity about yourself.” — True style arises not from imitation but from self-discovery and experimentation.
• “Fashion you can buy, but style you possess.” — Apfel often drew a sharp distinction between fleeting trends and the timelessness of authentic style.
• “If your hair is done properly and you’re wearing good shoes, you can get away with anything.” — Iris’s sense of humor shone through even in her practical advice.

For Apfel, fashion was not about conformity, status, or even beauty—it was about confidence, creativity, and joy. She reminded admirers that personal style is less about perfect proportions or expensive purchases, and more about self-awareness, fearlessness, and an inclination to see dressing as an art form.

10 Iconic Iris Apfel Style Quotes

Iris Apfel was celebrated for her memorable style quips. Her words challenged conventions and emboldened others to make fashion—and life—a personal journey.

1. “More is more and less is a bore.”
   Her most famous mantra, encouraging joyful excess over minimalism.
2. “Life is gray and dull; you might as well have a little fun when you dress.”
   Apfel’s philosophy of using clothing to brighten up both wardrobe and world.
3. “Fashion you can buy, but style you possess.”
   Emphasizing that true style comes from within and cannot be purchased.
4. “If you’re not comfortable, you’ll never look stylish.”
5. “When you don’t dress like everybody else, you don’t have to think like everybody else.”
6. “More is never too much—if it’s done in good taste.”
7. “People say, ‘Only you could get away with that.’ I think anybody could get away with it if they had enough nerve.”
8. “It’s better to be happy than to be well-dressed.”
   Prioritizing contentment and confidence over slavish trend-following.
9. “You have to learn who you are first. And that’s painful because most people are not willing to do it.”
10. “To lead an uninteresting life is one of the worst things in the world.”

Fashion as Self-Expression

Throughout her life, Iris Apfel championed fashion as a tool for self-expression. She often advised against blindly following trends or seeking approval from others, advocating instead for a personal sense of beauty and daring. As she once put it, “The biggest mistake people are making when it comes to fashion is looking in the mirror and thinking you’re somebody else.”

Why Iris Apfel Believed Style Matters

• Expression of Personality: Your wardrobe should reflect your spirit, quirks, and story—not a retailer’s idea of what’s ‘in’.
• Source of Fun and Joy: Playful colors, unique accessories, and mix-and-match fearlessness bring a sense of lightness and happiness to life.
• Pathway to Confidence: When you dress for yourself, not for others, you radiate poise and authenticity.
• Inspiration for Others: Unconventional choices embolden those around you to try something new and abandon the safety of sameness.

Apfel didn’t see aging as a reason to fade into the background. She famously once said, “Age is just a number; the only thing that’s old is your attitude.” In a world obsessed with youth, her message was liberating—anyone, at any age, could cultivate personal glamour and flair.

Standing Apart in a World of Sameness

For Apfel, contemporary fashion’s biggest failure was its lack of creativity. “There’s very little originality. It’s kind of boring. Everybody looks alike. Everybody seems to strive to look alike,” she once observed. Her own look—a riot of color, statement baubles, and unexpected juxtapositions—stood as a living argument for refusing to blend in.

Life Lessons Beyond Fashion

Iris Apfel’s fearless approach to fashion reflected a broader worldview: life is too short for blandness. The lessons she espoused apply as much to our decisions and relationships as they do to our wardrobes.

Legacy of Self-Acceptance and Joy

• Authenticity Above Approval: Iris believed you shouldn’t worry about what other people think. “What anybody else thinks is their problem, not mine.”
• Learn to Know Yourself: Apfel insisted that the real secret to confidence and style was self-awareness—getting comfortable with your own likes, dislikes, and story.
• Value of Humor: Iris used wit as a shield and an invitation to connection, making fashion fun rather than stressful.
• Embracing Change: Rather than fearing change, Apfel’s curiosity allowed her to adapt and stay vital long into her 90s and beyond.
• Chase Experience, Not Perfection: She delighted in collecting not just clothes but also memories, stories, and friendships from her many years attending global fashion shows.

Iris’s Influence on Fashion Icons

Over her career, Apfel formed friendships with some of fashion’s luminaries including Coco Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, and Christian Lacroix, who admired her daring point of view and nonchalance toward rules. By remaining true to her own unique aesthetic, she inspired not only mainstream fashion lovers but also leading designers to rethink their own approaches to style.

How to Channel Iris Apfel’s Style Today

While no one can truly replicate Iris Apfel’s singular vision, everyone can infuse a bit of her energy and attitude into their daily wardrobes. Here’s how:

• Double Down on Statement Accessories: Layer bold necklaces, stack bracelets, and don’t be afraid of outrageously large earrings or chunky glasses.
• Embrace Color: Build outfits around vivid hues. Iris once said, “I’m not a pastel person! Pastels make me nervous.”
• Mix Patterns and Textiles: Pair stripes with florals, animal prints with geometrics, or denim with velvet. The more unexpected, the better.
• Forget Sizing and Gender Norms: Shop in every section and every department, looking for those one-of-a-kind treasures.
• Dress for Your Mood: Don’t save your favorite pieces for special occasions; use them to bring joy to even the grayest days.
• Curate With Curiosity: Look at dressing up as an ongoing adventure, always open to new ideas and stories.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What makes Iris Apfel’s approach to style so influential?

A: Her influence stems from her “more is more” philosophy, encouragement of individuality at any age, open-minded attitude, and readiness to have fun with fashion rather than treat it as a set of rules.

Q: Was Iris always involved in fashion?

A: Iris began her career in interior and textile design, working with her husband on restoration projects for the White House. She became a global fashion icon later in life, thanks to her unique wardrobe and bold public presence.

Q: How did Iris Apfel view aging and style?

A: She saw aging as no barrier to experimentation or style, famously saying, “The only thing that’s old is your attitude.” She encouraged people of all ages to celebrate themselves and remain vibrant through curiosity and humor.

Q: What are a few simple steps to incorporate Iris’s style into my own wardrobe?

A: Try layering statement jewelry, mixing bold patterns, wearing bright colors, and prioritizing authenticity over trends.

Q: Did Iris Apfel see herself as beautiful?

A: Throughout her life, she recounted a story where a saleswoman told her she wasn’t pretty but had style. This prompted Iris to embrace and cultivate her individuality rather than dwelling on conventional standards of beauty.

Celebrating the Legacy of Iris Apfel

As we celebrate the legacy of Iris Apfel, we are reminded that individuality, joy, and humor never go out of style. Her enthusiastic embrace of life—and encouragement for everyone to “wear what makes you happy”—continue to inspire. In a fashion landscape too often obsessed with trends, her example encourages us all to be original, to learn about ourselves, and to dress each day as another opportunity for creative expression. Iris Apfel’s enduring wisdom will remain relevant, emboldening future generations to live, dress, and dream with gusto.

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Author

Medha DebCommerce Editor

 

Medha Deb is a commerce editor with a master's degree in applied linguistics from the University of Hyderabad, which has allowed her to develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts. She specializes in the areas of beauty, health, and wellness and is committed to ensuring that the content on the website is of the highest quality.

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