Journalists Accidentally Confuse A 63-Year-Old Teacher With A Fashion Icon And It Ends Up Changing Her Life
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When Fordham University professor Lyn Slater went to meet a friend for lunch outside the Lincoln Center during New York Fashion Week, she had no idea her life was about to be forever changed. Foreign journalists suddenly surrounded her, mistaking her for a fashion icon and attracting a crowd of spectators. It was a defining moment that turned Lyn into an Accidental Icon – and made her personal style blog of the same name shoot to the skies.
At 63 years old, Lyn Slater is not exactly a typical haute couture model, but that’s part of her style icon appeal. She decries age-based discrimination in both the fashion trends and in everyday life, including the tired notion of ‘dressing for one’s age.’ “I think, if you are comfortable in what you’re wearing, no matter how old you are and you’re owning it, you’re going to look completely fine,” Slater told Refinery29 in a 2016 interview. She is currently signed to Elite London, the world’s leading modeling company, and has worked as a fashion model with brands such as Mango and Uniqlo.
Lyn is admirable not only for her unstoppable attitude, but for her edgy and decidedly fashionable style, and her Instagram page now boasts over 132 thousand followers. A happy accident, indeed!
More info: Accidental Icon, Instagram (h/t: DYT | Bright Side)
Meet 63-year-old Lyn Slater, who has, until recently, been an ordinary professor at Fordham University
One day she went to meet a friend for lunch outside the Lincoln Center during New York Fashion Week
Foreign journalists suddenly surrounded her, mistaking her for a fashion icon and attracting spectators
It was a defining moment that turned Lyn into an Accidental Icon
Her blog of the same name, inspired by the experience, soon began making international waves
She is now a public voice against ageism in the fashion industry and the world
“Fashion and my style help me struggle against that invisibility that comes with age,” Lyn told Bright Side
She was once asked by Refinery29 about the old notion of ‘dressing for one’s age,’ and her response was clear
“…We use language to control people’s behavior… This phrase is a way of putting older women in their place”
“I’m certain that if you feel comfortable in your own clothes, it’s completely irrelevant how old you are”
Lyn is now signed with Elite, the world’s leading modeling agency, and is working with several brands
We love this lady’s edgy style and fearless attitude. Tell us what you think below!
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Really Bored Panda? "Just an ordinary professor"? As if that's not an accomplishment in itself!
Am thinking the same :). Thumbs up for the stance against ageism, but this glorification of the transition from "ordinary" UNIVERSITY professor to model doesn't sit well with me - and I'm surprised it does with BP :(
You're right, ordinary is an unfortunate word choice, but this is that bit of sensational verbiage that journalists indulge in.
"Just" is the unfortunate word imo.
That is my sentiment exactly! As Lyn says, "We use language to control people's behaviour." Otherwise love the article.
I'm just wondering...is it possible that they used that term simply to distinguish between varius 'grades' (e.g. Professor ordinarius/ extraordinarius/emeritus etc.)??
Cool story but "just an ordinary professor" stuck in my craw, too.
That's what I say! That's a huge accomplishment!
My first thought as well...
@moto hdj
There's nothing ordinary about being a university professor. ☺
True 😎👍
I understand that what I'm going to say is not the point of this article, neither of her words. I also agree that one should be able to wear whatever s/he wants too. However, I still do see her as "dresses for her age". How so? Because this kind of elegance with a pinch of extravagance is universal for every adult woman who can afford to dress up.
That's why she looks so stylish!
agreed, I'm 51 and when I'm 63 I doubt I'll dress my age. But it will be t-shirts & jeans, maybe a bandana sometime, cause I'm an old metalhead and I'm poor.
not a fan of that style for any age - i can afford it but it's boring - i can't get over the age appropriate label still being used even after her article
I agree 100%. The fabrics, tailoring, all of it is extremely age appropriate.
age appropriate is what shes speaking against - why has her age got anything to do with what she wears - you've just turned her message around from wear what you like to make sure you dress for your age
I totally agree that whatever makes you look elegant and styling is age-appropriate. But the phrase "dress for your age" conjures up a stereotype. Two years ago, at 69, I went to oening night at live theater and a mid-sized city. One of the ushers said, "Wow! You look fabulous! Are you somebody special?" To which I replied, "Yes. Aren't we all?"
A big factor in the question of "dressing for your age" is that teens and 20-somethings can wear trendy clothing without other people jumping to conclusions based on their current outfit. If a 25-year-old wears artfully ripped jeans, she has no reason to worry that she'll be perceived as ratty, poor, and unfashionable. If she wears loose, hippie-style dresses, she doesn't have to worry that anyone who sees her will assume she's a vegan artist who ONLY wears clothes like that. Older women don't have that luxury, so they usually just choose a pigeon-hole they're comfortable with. The odds are of your average 60+ woman feeling comfortable wearing that floor-length, billowy pink floral dress AND wearing fitted black leather jackets/tops are incredibly slim. But both are fashionable, and there's no reason for them to be mutually exclusive.
I'm not certain the affording it bit is really fitting though; I'm impressed by her courage, but many of those clothes could be found in thrift stores. I have a lovely blouse of the same style of that one with long flowing sleeves. I found it for less than 2 bucks, and have only worn it once. I love it, with it's full on flowery flow I felt to, ah, conspicuous. Seeing her however, is about to change my mind.
Completely agree that she can only dress this way due to a lot of money in her pocket.
She own the clothes, she wears them, she is dressing her age. I can only aspire to do the same
It's available to anyone who actually has a sense of style. Much can be found in thrift stores, including knock-offs.
what about the leather dress? I don't see my grandma wearing any of this and in the past we certainly wouldn't see a model in a magazine at this age, or dressed like this for her age.
I'm 68 and would certainly wear it!
Agreed. I rarely see women her age wearing leather dresses or rocking eccentric hair styles in Midwestern USA. Of course, there are exceptions of every rule and styles vary from region to region.
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similarly as Brandon addressed I didnt realize that somebody can make $7043 in fourteen days on the PC . look at the post right here........../ www.99homejobs . c o mᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵ
Really Bored Panda? "Just an ordinary professor"? As if that's not an accomplishment in itself!
Am thinking the same :). Thumbs up for the stance against ageism, but this glorification of the transition from "ordinary" UNIVERSITY professor to model doesn't sit well with me - and I'm surprised it does with BP :(
You're right, ordinary is an unfortunate word choice, but this is that bit of sensational verbiage that journalists indulge in.
"Just" is the unfortunate word imo.
That is my sentiment exactly! As Lyn says, "We use language to control people's behaviour." Otherwise love the article.
I'm just wondering...is it possible that they used that term simply to distinguish between varius 'grades' (e.g. Professor ordinarius/ extraordinarius/emeritus etc.)??
Cool story but "just an ordinary professor" stuck in my craw, too.
That's what I say! That's a huge accomplishment!
My first thought as well...
@moto hdj
There's nothing ordinary about being a university professor. ☺
True 😎👍
I understand that what I'm going to say is not the point of this article, neither of her words. I also agree that one should be able to wear whatever s/he wants too. However, I still do see her as "dresses for her age". How so? Because this kind of elegance with a pinch of extravagance is universal for every adult woman who can afford to dress up.
That's why she looks so stylish!
agreed, I'm 51 and when I'm 63 I doubt I'll dress my age. But it will be t-shirts & jeans, maybe a bandana sometime, cause I'm an old metalhead and I'm poor.
not a fan of that style for any age - i can afford it but it's boring - i can't get over the age appropriate label still being used even after her article
I agree 100%. The fabrics, tailoring, all of it is extremely age appropriate.
age appropriate is what shes speaking against - why has her age got anything to do with what she wears - you've just turned her message around from wear what you like to make sure you dress for your age
I totally agree that whatever makes you look elegant and styling is age-appropriate. But the phrase "dress for your age" conjures up a stereotype. Two years ago, at 69, I went to oening night at live theater and a mid-sized city. One of the ushers said, "Wow! You look fabulous! Are you somebody special?" To which I replied, "Yes. Aren't we all?"
A big factor in the question of "dressing for your age" is that teens and 20-somethings can wear trendy clothing without other people jumping to conclusions based on their current outfit. If a 25-year-old wears artfully ripped jeans, she has no reason to worry that she'll be perceived as ratty, poor, and unfashionable. If she wears loose, hippie-style dresses, she doesn't have to worry that anyone who sees her will assume she's a vegan artist who ONLY wears clothes like that. Older women don't have that luxury, so they usually just choose a pigeon-hole they're comfortable with. The odds are of your average 60+ woman feeling comfortable wearing that floor-length, billowy pink floral dress AND wearing fitted black leather jackets/tops are incredibly slim. But both are fashionable, and there's no reason for them to be mutually exclusive.
I'm not certain the affording it bit is really fitting though; I'm impressed by her courage, but many of those clothes could be found in thrift stores. I have a lovely blouse of the same style of that one with long flowing sleeves. I found it for less than 2 bucks, and have only worn it once. I love it, with it's full on flowery flow I felt to, ah, conspicuous. Seeing her however, is about to change my mind.
Completely agree that she can only dress this way due to a lot of money in her pocket.
She own the clothes, she wears them, she is dressing her age. I can only aspire to do the same
It's available to anyone who actually has a sense of style. Much can be found in thrift stores, including knock-offs.
what about the leather dress? I don't see my grandma wearing any of this and in the past we certainly wouldn't see a model in a magazine at this age, or dressed like this for her age.
I'm 68 and would certainly wear it!
Agreed. I rarely see women her age wearing leather dresses or rocking eccentric hair styles in Midwestern USA. Of course, there are exceptions of every rule and styles vary from region to region.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
similarly as Brandon addressed I didnt realize that somebody can make $7043 in fourteen days on the PC . look at the post right here........../ www.99homejobs . c o mᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵᴵ