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The Most Inspiring Fashion Icons Over 50 Right Now

Behold the impeccably dressed women we hope to look like when we grow up
Photo 11/13
Lauren Hutton, age 71
Her style: Crisp, American classic

An unsung icon in the style world, actress and model Lauren Hutton "mixes authentic classics at high-low price points" to create a look that's polished and all-American, says Mathieson. "I often see her in white sneakers, paired with unexpected slacks, a blazer and t-shirt ... and consistently a small cotton hat."

Timeless and clean, but with just the right touch of character, Hutton's flattering style is one that everyday women can aspire to. "She was never into fussy accessories or trendy 'it' bags," Mathieson continues. "She understood that a simple v-neck -- whether it was a t-shirt or blazer -- was her best neckline."

Photograph courtesy of J. Crew

Photo 12/13
Iris Apfel, age 93
Her style: Vibrant, accessorized, humorous

"Style is attitude, attitude, attitude," said the lively, 93-year-old interior designer in a live New York Times interview last year. The Queens native and street style muse has lived a colorful near-century, down to her peacock aesthetic, which the Metropolitan Museum in New York exhibited in 2005, making Apfel a rarified celebrity at the age of 83.

Since then, the fashion world has been enamored with Apfel's humor-driven, vintage-inspired style. "I don't take myself seriously," she says. "I like to have fun. I think it's good to have a few, little mistakes. I think it was Diana Vreeland who said, 'You can suffer from too much good taste.'"

Apfel's taste is far too interesting to be simply "good," with a wardrobe consisting of layers of costume jewelry, colorful prints, feathers, fur and her trademark wide-rimmed glasses.

"Ever since I was a little kid, I was a flea market freak, and every time I saw an odd-ball frame, I bought them," she told People Magazine. "Sometimes, even if I didn't need to wear lenses, I'd put the frames on because I liked how they looked.... People would say to me, 'Why are they so large?' and I would say, because they are better to see you. And that would shut them up."

Photograph courtesy of S Moda

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Sarah Jessica Parker, age 50
Her style: Experimental, trend-less, uptown-meets-downtown

It's hard to believe Carrie Bradshaw is already in the 50+ club, but age doesn't seem to affect Sarah Jessica Parker's legendary wardrobe in the least. Parker's personal style and that of her Sex and the City alter ego often blend in a chic, playful amalgamation of whimsy and couture -- after all, both genuinely adore Manolo Blahniks, would never leave New York City and aren't afraid to break the fashion rules.

Parker genuinely loves fashion, and that's clear in the way she pairs her ensembles -- mixing contrasting prints and fabrics and custom designer creations with vintage finds.

"I've been collecting vintage forever, since like 1983 ... and everywhere I travel in the world I will find something," she told Marie Claire. "Whether it's the Middle East or Western Europe, or New York or St. Louis, I just try to find [something] -- and if they don't have a vintage shop, I'll go to Goodwill. There's a lot of treasure out there in the world, and it's often what's affordable and what makes us feel different, so I'm just always looking for it."

Parker continues to build her extensive wardrobe with passion and curiosity -- proof that there is no expiration date on individual style.

Photograph courtesy of Harper's Bazaar

BY AMANDA MONTELL | JUL 15, 2015 | SHARES
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