Lyn Slater, known as the Accidental Icon, showed a lot of women that personal style doesn't stop at 60. Her story started almost by chance, when photographers outside Lincoln Center mistook her for a fashion insider. The former university professor went on to build a large Instagram following by dressing exactly the way she wanted. Her look is easy to spot: a sleek silver bob, dark oversized sunglasses, a red lip and a deep love of architectural Japanese design from Yohji Yamamoto, Comme des Garçons and Issey Miyake. Below are 20 outfits inspired by her mix of avant-garde and street style, with my notes on how to borrow the ideas whatever your budget or age.
Getting the Japanese Design Look Without Designer Prices
Most of us won't fill a closet with Yohji Yamamoto or Comme des Garçons, and you don't need to. What makes her outfits work is a set of shapes and habits you can find at many price points and in plenty of secondhand shops.
- Wide-leg black trousers in a fabric with real drape, like wool crepe or heavy viscose, rather than stiff cotton that sticks out.
- Long, slouchy blazers and coats with some volume below the shoulder.
- Pleated pieces in polyester, which hold their pleats through washing and packing.
- One asymmetric or deconstructed piece, like an uneven hem or a wrap top, to carry the avant-garde feel.
- Flat shoes in black leather. She almost always chooses comfort underfoot.
When I shop secondhand for this look, I head to the menswear rails for blazers and coats too. Men's tailoring often has the long, relaxed line she favors, and the shoulders can be checked in the mirror in seconds.
1. Lyn Slater Yohji Yamamoto Suit Outfit
This is the outfit that started it all: a slouchy black Yohji Yamamoto suit worn outside Lincoln Center. The wide trousers moved with every step, a classic Chanel bag added polish, and simple black flats kept the attention on the suit's proportions. Her silver bob was precise and the dark sunglasses did the rest. What I take from it is the fit. A relaxed suit should still sit cleanly on the shoulder, with the volume starting below it. If the shoulder seam drops past your own shoulder, an oversized suit stops looking deliberate and starts looking borrowed.
2. Lyn Slater White Dress and Biker Jacket Outfit
A pleated white dress gets its edge from a black biker jacket on top. Soft against tough is the whole idea, and it still feels modern. Black ankle boots add grit, and oversized hoops bring some shine near the face, with her dark sunglasses and silver hair tying it together. It's proof that a classic moto jacket works at any age. When I style this on someone, I keep the jacket short, ending at the waist or high hip, so the pleats have room to swing below it.
3. Lyn Slater Oversized Blazer With Jeans Outfit
She wore the oversized blazer the easy way, with simple jeans and flat shoes. The blazer was long and slouchy, falling past the hips, with a plain neutral top underneath that didn't compete. Straight or slightly tapered jeans, rolled at the ankle, and flat leather shoes or clean sneakers kept it grounded. A red lip and her dark sunglasses made it look chosen rather than thrown on. With a long blazer, I always show a bit of ankle; the roll on the jeans is what stops all that length from dragging the outfit down.
4. Lyn Slater Black Turtleneck and Trousers Outfit
A fitted black turtleneck with high-waisted wide-leg trousers was one of her go-to combinations for looking sharp and staying comfortable. The turtleneck tucked in to mark the waist, and the trousers fell in a long line to the floor. Pointed flats or low block heels and a structured bag finish it, with oversized hoops or sculptural earrings near the face. Floor-grazing trousers need hemming to the shoe you'll actually wear. Hem them for flats and then switch to heels, and they'll look too short.
5. Lyn Slater Vintage Kimono Outfit
Her love of vintage kimonos is well known, and she wears them in a modern way. A richly patterned silk kimono goes over a plain black base, either a fitted top with slim trousers or a sleek black dress, so the kimono is the only thing that speaks. Simple sandals or flats, big sunglasses, a red lip and one statement necklace finish it. Vintage silk is fragile, so check the underarms and seams in good light before buying, and hang it away from sun, which fades and weakens old dyes.
6. Lyn Slater Issey Miyake Pleats Outfit
She has long admired Issey Miyake's pleating and often wears the pieces from head to toe, such as a pleated tunic over matching wide trousers. The shape is sculptural and moves like liquid as you walk. Black or charcoal keeps the focus on texture. Flat shoes and a minimal bag let the pleats lead, with dark sunglasses and silver hair finishing it. Permanently pleated polyester like this is surprisingly practical: it packs into a ball, comes out unwrinkled and dries fast, which is one reason travelers love it.
7. Lyn Slater Comme des Garçons Outfit
Comme des Garçons appears often in her wardrobe, and she wears its avant-garde shapes with complete ease. A deconstructed, asymmetric jacket over plain black trousers and flat shoes lets the odd proportions and raw edges carry the outfit. Accessories stay to dark sunglasses and a quiet lip so the clothes speak. If you want to try this without the designer price, look for an asymmetric hem or one exaggerated sleeve in an otherwise simple jacket. One unusual detail is enough to give a plain outfit the same thinking.
8. Lyn Slater Black and White Monochrome Outfit
Black and white is the backbone of her style, and this is the clearest version: a crisp white button-down tucked into black wide-leg trousers. A black blazer or an oversized white coat goes on top, depending on the season, and black leather flats or loafers keep it walkable. Then the personality comes through the accessories, a statement ring or dramatic earrings, and that red lip. A strict two-color palette makes getting dressed fast, and every piece goes with every other piece, which is the real reason I recommend it to clients who feel stuck.
9. Lyn Slater Oversized Sweater and Jeans Outfit
Her casual clothes still look considered. An oversized black or charcoal knit with dropped shoulders goes over slim jeans and flat ankle boots, the volume on top balanced by the narrow leg. She often rolled the jeans to show some ankle and added color only through red lipstick or statement earrings. Dark sunglasses and the sleek bob keep it from tipping into sloppy. Volume on top needs a lean leg below; pair the same sweater with wide jeans and it turns into one big shape.
10. Lyn Slater Leather Dress and Boots Outfit
She once posed on a New York City fire escape in a strapless black leather dress, form-fitting and knee-length. Black ankle boots with a sturdy heel gave it a downtown feel. Accessories were minimal: dark sunglasses, a small clutch and the red lip. Silver hair against black leather made a bold contrast. Leather molds to the body over time, so I'd buy a leather dress fitted but not tight; a dress that's snug in the fitting room can feel fine after a few wears, while one that's already loose will only get looser.
11. Lyn Slater Moschino Printed Pants Outfit
She loves a strong pattern, and once paired bold Moschino graphic-print trousers with a plain black fitted shirt. The slightly cinched waist on the shirt balanced the busy print below. Black fringed ankle boots added movement, and her sunglasses and silver bob kept the outfit anchored. Loud prints on a minimal frame make a lively tension. The rule I take from it: one bold piece, everything else quiet. If the trousers are the statement, the shirt should be plain and fitted, and the shoes dark.
12. Lyn Slater Denim and Statement Earrings Outfit
Jeans look as intentional as designer trousers when one thing is clearly chosen. She wore dark-wash straight or slim jeans with a neutral top, then added a single standout accessory: bright red oversized earrings. They pull the eye to the face and add the only color in the outfit. Simple flats or low sneakers, her silver bob and dark sunglasses finish it. Big earrings get heavy over a long day, so look for lightweight materials like resin or acrylic rather than solid metal at that size.
13. Lyn Slater Trench Coat and Trousers Outfit
A long trench is one of her outerwear basics, worn open over a simple top and tailored wide-leg trousers so the line runs from shoulder to hem. Wearing it open keeps it from looking boxy. Flat leather shoes or low-heeled loafers, a structured bag and dark sunglasses finish it. It works for a museum, coffee with friends or a full day in the city. With wide trousers under a long trench, I check the trouser hem shows below the coat, so you can see the legs and the outfit doesn't read as a column of beige.
14. Lyn Slater Overalls and Silk Top Outfit
More recently she has been photographed in vintage Gap denim overalls with a fluid silk pajama-style top. Rugged denim against silk keeps it relaxed and refined at once. She rolled the hems slightly and wore simple sandals or canvas sneakers. Silver hair, dark sunglasses and a red lip add just enough polish. Overalls are a fit challenge: the bib length decides everything, so choose adjustable straps and set the bib so the side buttons sit at your natural waist.
15. Lyn Slater Orange Sunglasses and Puffer Outfit
She uses color sparingly, and when she does it's loud. An orange oversized puffer over a black turtleneck and black trousers puts all the color in one layer, and orange-tinted sunglasses repeat it near the face. Black ankle boots keep it seasonal. Silver hair looks bright against warm orange. If you want to add color after years of black, this is the way I'd start: one bright outer layer over an all-black base, with a small accessory that echoes it.
16. Lyn Slater Strapless Leather Dress Outfit
For evening, she once wore a strapless black leather dress that sat just above the knee, clean and minimal so the leather itself did the work. Black pointed pumps and very little jewelry, a single bold ring or sculptural earrings, kept it sharp. Her silver bob was swept to one side, and a red lip added a touch of old Hollywood that softened the leather. A strapless dress needs a well-fitted bodice to stay up without tugging, so have the top edge taken in by a tailor if it gapes.
17. Lyn Slater Button-Down Shirt and Rolled Jeans Outfit
A crisp white button-down tucked into rolled-up jeans is one of her simplest outfits, and it still doesn't look basic. The shirt is slightly oversized with sleeves pushed to the elbow, and the straight or slim jeans are cuffed to show the ankle. White sneakers or flat loafers keep it casual. Red lipstick, sunglasses and the silver bob make it hers. The secret is in the fit decisions: a shirt one size up from usual, a cuff of about two turns, and a tuck that's loose enough to blouse slightly.
18. Lyn Slater Statement Outerwear Outfit
She treats the coat as the main event. A sculptural coat with big lapels, an oversized collar or asymmetric draping goes over a plain dark base of fitted top and slim trousers, so nothing competes with it. Flat shoes or low-heeled boots keep it practical, and dark sunglasses with a bold lip frame the face against the coat's strong lines. If you're going to spend on one piece, this is the case for it being the coat. It's the thing people see most in cold months, and it makes everything under it look more expensive.
19. Lyn Slater Blazer and Flat Shoes Outfit
She wears a tailored blazer in a relaxed way, with jeans or easy trousers and flat shoes. Black or navy, slightly oversized, sleeves pushed up, worn open over a simple tee or tank. Loafers, ballet flats or clean sneakers stand in for heels, which is a good reminder that polish doesn't have to hurt. Her bob, sunglasses and red lip finish it. A pushed-up sleeve only stays put on a blazer with some give; stiff tailoring slides back down, so I roll the cuff instead on structured jackets.
20. Lyn Slater Oversized Coat and Sneakers Outfit
Her most casual look pairs an oversized wool coat with clean white sneakers and relaxed trousers or jeans. The long, roomy coat looks dramatic and stays warm, with a plain knit or turtleneck underneath. White sneakers add a sporty note against the structured wool, and a crossbody or tote keeps a city day practical. Her silver bob, sunglasses and red lip make it look intentional. Under a coat this big, keep the knit fine and fitted; a chunky sweater turns the whole silhouette into a cocoon.
Silver Hair and the Colors That Sit Beside It
Much of her look depends on how silver hair reacts to color. Gray and white hair is cool and reflective, so it looks crisp next to high-contrast black and white and turns brighter beside a clear red lip or a warm orange.
Some colors fight it. Muddy beiges and dusty mid-tones near the face can make silver hair look dull and the skin tired. If you're growing out color or newly gray, try a black or pure white top next to your face in daylight, then a beige one. Most people see the difference right away. Keep the softer neutrals for trousers and coats worn open, and put the clearest colors at the neckline.
Volume That Moves With You Instead of Hiding You
Oversized shapes appear in nearly every outfit here, and they can either look deliberate or simply swamp you. The difference is usually one fitted point. She balances every big piece with something narrow or defined: a fitted turtleneck under a wide trouser, slim jeans under a slouchy sweater, a tucked waist under a long blazer.
I'd apply the same rule if you're petite or worried about looking bigger in loose clothes. Choose one area to show your shape, whether shoulders, waist or ankles, and let the volume live everywhere else. Fabrics that drape, like crepe, soft wool and silk, hang close to the body as you move, while stiff fabrics stand away from it and add width.
Dress Like Yourself at Any Age
Lyn Slater's style isn't about chasing trends or trying to look younger. It's about dressing as yourself, curious and at ease, at every age. From Yohji Yamamoto suits and vintage kimonos to leather dresses and Gap overalls, these outfits show that confidence counts for more than conformity. What I'd take from her is practical: buy pieces you genuinely love, wear black and white without apology, collect a few strong accessories, and let one interesting piece lead each outfit. Style doesn't expire, and the outfits that last are the ones that sound like you.
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