HOW TO BE OLD

A memoir from the woman behind the popular “Accidental Icon” Instagram account.

Slater takes readers for a ride through her starlit 1960s, challenging contemporary stereotypes about age. Along the way, she creates a guide for how to find youthfulness and self-confidence at any age. Arranged in a series of lessons the author has learned during the past decade, the narrative brings us into her spotlight, where both her insecurities and confidences are clear to see. When Slater began the Accidental Icon fashion blog in 2014, her fame soon skyrocketed on social media, and she now has nearly 1 million followers across her platforms. However, it wasn’t just her fashion style that piqued interest; it was her vulnerability, wrinkles, and silvery hair that had followers engaged and celebrating her vibe. She didn’t look like the typical model, but she was authentic. Slater emphasizes that surface-level beauty is temporary and fleeting, but inner self-confidence can shine through at any age. “I found the line between costume and fashion, experimental yet elegant, rebellious yet dignified, being youthful without trying to look young,” she writes. “I suppose this back-and-forth is how I came to be known for having a unique sense of style. It’s how I told a different story about how to be old.” People responded to her willingness to display herself unapologetically despite her age and the expectations that come with it. The book contains a generous selection of photos revealing Slater's unique sense of style, and the author presents each chapter as a chance to learn from her experiences, showing how “we increase in value as we grow older.” Slater’s genuine enthusiasm radiates throughout the text; her tales of resilience and about the evolution of her self-confidence suffuse each page, effectively challenging societal constructs about age.

A charming, relatable tale about the power of reinvention.