One of Liz Smith’s favourite outfits is a suit purposefully designed with the seams and tags exposed. She loves wearing it even though she inevitably has to deal with strangers informing her that her jacket is on inside out. But as you might expect, someone who started modelling at the age of 71 doesn’t tend to dwell on commonly held perceptions of how things should be done.
The inside-out suit is just one of many strong statement pieces in Smith’s closet that play with asymmetry, androgyny and architecture. Her look is largely inspired by the contemporary designers and vintage stores in Japan, her favourite place to travel and to shop. “I like unique pieces that I can discover,” Smith says. “It’s like a hunting trip for me.”
This retiree is also not afraid to go punk, ripping her skirts to make them fit the way she wants and topping ensembles with a black leather jacket with the words “I am what I am” on the back in sequins. “Style is an attitude thing, it’s a confidence thing,” Smith says. “And you get that confidence as you get older.”
