Of course it’s easy for you to be stylish and look good when you’re young. Your skinny little frame is wrapped tightly in taut peachy skin, your feet smell like innocence, and denim hangs off you like a Kandinsky hangs off the wall at MOMA. But once you’re in the target demographic for TENA Lady and Fixodent, and clothes shops are mystifying discothèques full of travellators and impudent staff, looking good is hard. Some cool old people do pull it off though, and these people are very important because their style is a decent clue as to how God, who must be really old and really cool, must dress like. Advanced Style is a photo blog by 27-year-old Ari Cohen devoted to documenting New York’s mature fashion elite. We recently had a chat with Ari.

Vice: Hello, what inspired you to start the blog?
Ari: The people themselves. I was best friends with my grandmother and often saw older people as wise, creative, and vibrant as her. I wanted to bring attention to the amazingly dressed people I see on the streets of New York.

What’s so amazing about old people’s style?
I think they lack the self-consciousness that younger people may have. They have had time to discover what they are comfortable in and what they can wear with confidence. Sometimes the style may be an unintentional mix of vintage and newer styles that combine to make something awesome. It’s also interesting to see what pieces people have held on for years, like their favourite coat or hat.

Do you think old people’s style is better than young people’s?
It’s not necessarily better, it’s just what I’m drawn to. I love how older men and woman still dress up in hats and coats and gloves. The mix of accessories and the bold hair and colourful outfits inspire me.

What are the three best old-people style tricks?
Don’t be afraid of colour. Accessories, accessories, accessories. And wearing what you feel comfortable in.

IMAGES: ARI COHEN
WORDS: DARYOUSH HAJ-NAJAFI