Seasoned Style

With age comes wisdom—and a distinct, refined, and highly personal sense of fashion.

- EMMA CHILDS

Picture this: You're walking down the street when a remarkably well-dressed older woman captures your eye. Every detail, from the vintage brooch on her lapel to her leather loafers, feels purposeful. It's clear she knows exactly who she is and wants the world to know too. These are the women street-style photographer Ari Seth Cohen lives to photograph for his blog (and documentary and book series), Advanced Style, dedicated to the senior sartorial set.

"I'm drawn to unique personal style that's developed over time," Cohen tells Marie Claire.

"And, most importantly, the women I photograph dress for themselves more than anything else." Initially started as a love letter to Cohen's grandmother, Advanced Style has grown into a worldwide celebration of sexagenarian-plus fashion fans. And, as the photographer notes, there's a subversion in spotlighting the fabulousness of maturity: "Showing these stylish women in their 70s, 80s, and 90s living vibrant lives focuses on the freedom and creativity of aging that's not shown in the media or popular culture. Because many of these women feel and are treated as if they are invisible. But seeing them dressed in vibrant colors and making such statements with their clothing is an antidote to the isolation forced upon them.

There's a confidence and power in that their style is a form of rebellion."

LANA TURNER

Age: 73 Location: Harlem, Manhattan

On how she puts outfits together...

I dress the way I do for me. There are things about my outfits that only I would know, that only tickle me, and won't be obvious to others. Because building what I look like has everything to do with the art of the moment. Of what I'm doing at that moment, how I'm living and thinking. Of who I am at that moment.

On when inspiration strikes...