Fashion inspo from your best-dressed . . .
Grandparents are often a profound source of wisdom—whether they’re sharing stories about your parents as children or offering you a glimpse into a different time.
As people get older, they tend to identify more with their generation, which is why it makes sense that many of our grandparents can appear rather similar to one another. But it’s also important that we take the time to celebrate them as individuals and discover their remarkable distinctions.
Paying attention to their particular choices in fashion can be a great way to appreciate their personalities more, and it can also lead to surprising style ideas and inspiration.
Here are a few of our best dressed lolos and lolas.
Iris Apfel
Iris Apfel was an American fashion icon known for her larger-than-life personality and her equally flamboyant style. She was an interior designer and fashion designer born in the 1920s. In the 1950s, she founded Old World Weavers with her husband, Carl Apfel. By that time, their work had become ubiquitous—from The White House to the homes of Greta Garbo and Estee Lauder.
But it was later in life that Apfel found even grander success. When she reached her 80s and 90s she made waves in the fashion world and dubbed herself the “geriatric starlet.” Her eccentric style was associated with big jade beads, furry scarves, and her signature oversized spectacles. At 97 years old, she was signed to IMG as a model.
Apfel silver hair and jet black glasses ensures she will be remembered long after her passing. She died in 2024 at 102 years old.
Lisa Corbo
In contrast to Apfel, Lisa Corbo is known for her more minimalist aesthetic—often opting for a monochromatic look that leans more silhouette-forward.
In an interview with The Gold Edition, she shares her fashion secret: not taking anything too seriously. Despite how refined her look may often appear, she is a big proponent of playfulness. She’s a walking reminder that you never grow out of a good time.
“The secret to good style is not being afraid to make mistakes. You live and you learn—it’s just clothes. At the end of the day, it’s meant to be fun,” she says.
Though many of her looks are timeless, she isn’t afraid of embracing modernity—in both clothing and technology. It’s rather rare to discover a digital creator at her age, but she has seamlessly adopted Instagram as if it were second nature.
Margret Chola
Margret Chola, also known as “Legendary Glamma,” is the epitome of cool. She’s a Zambian grandmother in her late 80s who proves that fashion sense only ripens with age.
Being a grandparent is part of what inspires her to dress boldly, as she herself was raised by her grandparents. She had to leave school when she was 12 or 13 due to economic reasons, and shortly afterward she was forced to marry a man decades her senior. She had three children and eventually mustered the courage to escape the marriage.
Now that she is much older, she can finally live life on her own terms. She is often photographed in a graphic tee, Balenciaga socks, or a Prada tie. One of her graphic tees reads, “Wrinkles are Receipts.”
Aki and Koichi
Aki and Koichi are a retired elderly couple living their best lives in LA. Their content is made with the help of their daughter Yuri, proving that fashion can be a family affair. It’s Yuri that’s responsible for their internet fame, as she posted a video of the couple on TikTok without expecting the outpour of positive reactions. Since then, she has been the woman behind the scenes—filming, editing, and occasionally offering style input.
When asked by Elle what kind of brands they’re drawn to, Aki included brands such as Comme des Garcons, Issey Miyake, and Junya Watanabe—all brands with a unique identity and aesthetic—while Koichi cited more classic choices, such as Warehouse and the Japanese brands Evisu and Beams.
Now the couple, along with their lovely daughter, travel all around the world—taking their fashion to the streets of Tokyo and Berlin.
Lolo Drip
Closer to home, we have Rogelio Tabuzo, whose online persona goes by the name of Lolo Drip. In his 70s, he began modeling streetwear with the help of his grandson. Together, they have created an internet personality that has garnered more than 200,000 followers on Instagram and more than 500,000 followers on TikTok.
Apart from his style, what is most apparent about him is his stature. He is remarkably taller than most Filipino grandpas. It is no surprise then that he has a background in basketball, and continues to serve as a coach to young athletes in Laguna.
If there’s anything to learn from Lolo Drip, it’s that you’re never too old for hip-hop. His Gen Z-esque captions and effortlessly cool poses is proof that no one really peaks in their 20s.
Tessie Singson
Tessie Singson can be found on Instagram as Lola Androgynous. Her effortless blend of masculine and feminine aesthetics can be appreciated through her boxy silhouettes, interesting ties, and collared shirts. It’s no surprise that she takes fashion inspiration from an icon who shares her initials—Tilda Swinton.
It’s hard not to fall in love with Singson, not just because she is likely to resemble our own grandmothers but also because she transcends binaries. Her style cannot be pinned down to one thing—you’ll catch her in a pair of Converse, ballet flats, or high-top sneakers.
Just like everyone else in this list, Singson makes a case for embracing the freedom that comes with age. There is a stigma around the word ‘old,’ at least when it comes to describing people, and yet, it is only a fact of life. Time and affection have a direct relationship—when one develops, the other does, too.
