Yesterday writer, Alice Carey, and I had lunch in the West Village at Cafe Cluny. We caught up on all of our upcoming projects and I asked Alice for advice on how to publicize my upcoming book. After lunch we took a walk down Perry Street and sat for a minute to talk about her love of menswear and why young women dress the way they do. One of the reasons that Alice loves men’s clothing is that its comfortable and allows her to feel free and unique.She says, “I feel me, I’m not imitating anyone. This is the look.” 91 year old Ilona Royce Smithkin expresses a similar view on style when shes says,”If you try to imitate too much, then you look like nothing. Never compare yourself, YOU are YOU.”

Many of Advanced Style ladies lament the fact that so many people look and dress the same these days. Alice and Ilona no longer feel the need to conform to other people’s ideas of what a women should wear. Their rule is that there are no rules. They dress to impress themselves and look at style as a means of personal expression. I have learned to become more myself through my interactions with these wonderful, confident women. I hope that they can inspire you as well! For more on Alice’s style check the video above, and if you are interested you can find her childhood memoir HERE.