A personal memoir in which Lyn Slater, known on Instagram as “Accidental Icon,”brings her characteristic style, optimism, forward-thinking, and rules-are-meant-to-be-broken attitude to the question of how to live boldly at any age.
When Lyn Slater started her fashion blog, Accidental Icon, at age sixty-one, she discovered that followers were flocking to her account for more than just her A-list style. As Lyn flaunted gray hair, wrinkles, and a megadose of self-acceptance, they found in her an alternative model of older life: someone who defied the stereotypes, refused to become invisible, and showed that all women have the opportunity to be relevant and take major risks at any stage of their life. Youth is not the only time we can be experimental.
How to Be Old tells the ten-year story of Lyn’s sixties, the sometimes-glamorous, sometimes-turbulent decade of Accidental Icon. This memoir is about the hopeful and future-oriented process of reinvention. It shows readers that while you can’t control everything, what you can control is the way you think about your age and the creative ways you respond to the changes in your mind and body as they happen. Rather than trying to meet standards of youth and beauty as a measure of successful aging, Lyn promotes a more inclusive and empowering standard to judge our older selves by.
In this paradigm-shifting memoir, Lyn exemplifies that even with its unique challenges, being old is just like any new beginning in your life and can be the best and most invigorating of all of life’s phases, full of rebellion and reinvention, connection and creativity.
Joyful Living Daily Review
Aging is a topic that often gets swept under the rug in a world obsessed with youth, but Lyn Slater’s How to Be Old offers a refreshing, empowering perspective on the beauty of growing older. This book is not just a guide; it’s a manifesto for embracing aging with confidence, grace, and style.
In How to Be Old, Slater—a renowned cultural influencer and former professor—challenges the stereotypes and societal expectations often associated with aging. Instead of shying away from wrinkles, gray hair, or life’s inevitable changes, she encourages readers to confront them with authenticity and embrace the wisdom that comes with experience.
For anyone looking to redefine what it means to age in a society that celebrates youth, How to Be Old provides practical tips, personal stories, and cultural commentary that inspire readers to see aging as a time of opportunity, reinvention, and, most importantly, self-acceptance.
Why How to Be Old is a Must-Read
- Empowering Approach to Aging Slater’s approach to aging is refreshingly optimistic. She dismisses the notion that getting older means becoming invisible or irrelevant. Instead, she encourages women (and men) to own their age and use it as a tool for empowerment. The book delves into how to embrace every stage of life, breaking free from societal pressures and celebrating what truly matters: self-confidence, personal style, and authenticity.
- Stylish and Relatable Writing With her years of experience as a professor and a globally recognized fashion influencer, Slater brings a unique, stylish perspective to the topic. Her writing is both academic and personal, blending cultural analysis with relatable anecdotes. Whether she’s discussing beauty standards or personal identity, her voice resonates with readers who are ready to challenge conventional thinking about aging.
- Redefining Beauty and Style After 50 One of the standout themes of How to Be Old is the redefinition of beauty and fashion as we age. Slater encourages readers to express themselves through personal style, no matter their age. She emphasizes that fashion is a powerful form of self-expression that shouldn’t be limited by societal norms. The book offers practical tips on how to evolve your wardrobe as you grow older, embracing timeless pieces that reflect your personality rather than trying to cling to youth.
- Authenticity in Aging How to Be Old is as much about living authentically as it is about aging gracefully. Slater’s advice goes beyond fashion and beauty—she addresses mental health, relationships, and the importance of embracing every phase of life with open arms. Her take on authenticity encourages readers to shed societal expectations and focus on what truly brings joy and fulfillment.
- Inspiring and Inclusive Aging is universal, and Slater’s inclusive tone invites readers of all ages to rethink their relationship with growing older. Whether you’re approaching middle age or well into your later years, this book offers a wealth of wisdom that can be applied at any stage of life. Its focus on self-empowerment makes it an uplifting read for anyone looking to live more joyfully and purposefully, no matter their age.
Key Takeaways from How to Be Old by Lyn Slater:
- Own Your Age: Don’t shy away from aging—embrace it with pride and confidence.
- Redefine Beauty: Beauty doesn’t have an expiration date; personal style and expression are ageless.
- Focus on Authenticity: Aging is a time to focus on what truly brings joy and fulfillment.
- Mental Wellness Matters: It’s not just about how you look as you age, but how you feel mentally and emotionally.
- Aging with Purpose: Every phase of life is an opportunity for growth, reinvention, and self-discovery.
Who Should Read How to Be Old
This book is perfect for anyone looking to redefine aging and approach it as a time of empowerment and self-expression. Whether you’re in your 40s, 50s, 60s, or beyond, How to Be Old will inspire you to look at growing older as a time to thrive, not to shrink away. It’s especially relevant for women who feel marginalized by society’s focus on youth but want to continue living boldly and with style.
Final Thoughts: A Celebration of Aging
How to Be Old is more than just a book about getting older—it’s a celebration of aging and all the wisdom, beauty, and strength that come with it. Lyn Slater’s engaging and insightful writing makes it a must-read for anyone who wants to approach aging with grace, style, and authenticity. Aging is inevitable, but with Slater’s guidance, it can also be empowering, stylish, and full of purpose.