Iris Apfel’s 20 Best Quotes

As the world remembers Iris Apfel, we take a look back at some of her best quotes

iris apfel

by Ellie Wiseman |
Updated on

Iris Apfel, the world's oldest fashion icon, has died at her home in Floria, aged 102. The bespectacled New Yorker had a legion of fans worldwide thanks to her eclectic personal style, vivacious personality and quick wit.

Here, we round up her most inspirational quotes. Trust us, you'll want to read them. Thank us later.

On Style

1.

'When the fun goes out of dressing, you might as well be dead.'

2.

'Life is grey and dull, so you might as well have a little fun when you dress.'

3.

'When you don't dress like everyone else then you don't have to think like everyone else.'

4.

'No amount of money can buy you style. It's just instinctive.'

5.

'I don't dress to be stared at, I dress for myself.'

6.

'If your hair is done and you're wearing good shoes, you can get away with anything.'

7.

'Great personal style is an extreme curiosity about yourself.'

8.

'Being well-dressed is a wonderful thing, but I don't think it should be life threatening.'

9.

'Clothes are not frippery. Properly done, they can be an art form.'

10.

'Colour can raise the dead.'

iris apfel
©getty

On Self-Discovery And Growth

11.

'Fashion you can buy, but style you possess. They key to style is learning who you are, which takes years. There's no how-to road map to style. It's about self-expression and, above all, attitude.'

12.

'If you don't learn constantly, you don't grow, and you will wither. Too many people wither on the vine. Sure, it gets a little harder as you get older, but new experiences and new challenges keep it fresh.'

13.

'You learn as you grow up, if you're intelligent - or even three-quarter witted - that there's no free lunch. You pay for things in various ways. Living, loving, everything else is a matter of the same principles: you learn.'

14.

'You don’t find out who you are unless you work at it.'

15.

'Being an individual takes effort. Most people are pretty lazy. And that's OK! I mean, there are more important things than fashion. If it's going to stress you out to have a sense of style, don't do it. The important thing is to be comfortable so you can get on with your life.'

iris apfel
©getty

On Inspiration

16.

'I am inspired by everything around me. It's not like I stand out in the moors or any of that romantic crap they throw around. I'm just inspired by being alive and breathing and meeting people and talking to people and doing things and absorbing what's happening. I think if more people did that there would be better fashion.'

On Age

17.

'I don't see anything wrong with a wrinkle. It's kind of a badge of courage.'

On Life

18.

'To lead the good life in New York, the two most important things for a woman are a chauffeur and a fur-lined raincoat.'

19.

'You've got to try it. You've only got one trip, you have to remember that.'

20.

'If you're not interested, you're not interesting.'

READ MORE: Everything You Need To Know About Iris Apfel - The Age-Defying Fashion Icon

READ MORE: 33 Empowering Quotes That Will Make You Proud To Be A Woman

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