LOOKING through her extensive wardrobe, 83-year-old Mikki Williams reaches for her most “outrageous” mini-skirt for the day.
Despite many of her peers leaving body-con dresses in their past, the pensioner insists she has never believed in “age-appropriate” fashion.
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Mikki Williams, 83, proudly describes her style as ‘outrageous’ Credit: SWNS
Mikki believes people should stop waiting for permission from others to dress how they want to Credit: SWNS
She prioritises her fun wardrobe so much that she forks out £11,000 a year on new items, and insists people should wear whatever makes them happy.
She loves wearing unique boutique finds and says her bold, “outrageous” style has been a lifelong expression of her individuality.
In total, Mikki, from Naples, Florida, estimates she has a 200-pair shoe collection and over 100 tops in her wardrobe.
She said: “I don’t agree with dressing for your age – I never have. That terminology has been around a long time, but it’s something I’ve completely ignored.
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Mikki insists people should wear whatever makes them happy Credit: SWNS
Many of Mikki’s 50,000 followers online say she looks years younger than she actually is Credit: SWNS
“I guess I’m a bit of a rebel, a maverick.
“People stop me every single day and say, ‘I love your outfit, but I could never wear that.’ And I always say – of course you could.
“They just don’t give themself permission. That’s the difference.”
And it seems her age-defying looks are impressing her 50,000 followers online, with one fan gushing: “82???? You mean 28 babe”, and another adding: “If this isn’t me at 82 I don’t want it.”
She prioritises her fun wardrobe so much that she forks out £11,000 a year on new items Credit: SWNS
Mikki describes herself as a ‘ rebel’ and a ‘maverick’ Credit: SWNS
Mikki says her confidence was shaped early in life by her mother, Bette Rawson, who raised her alone and encouraged her to embrace being different.
She said: “I was raised by a single mum and she really blessed my non-conformity.
“When other kids were smoking or trying to fit in, I was reading fashion magazines and figuring out what I loved.
“She believed me when I said I wanted to be different, and that gave me incredible confidence.
The Floridian loves wearing unique boutique finds and says her style has been a lifelong expression of her individuality Credit: SWNS
Mikki said she gets her confidence from her single mum Credit: SWNS
“I was always outside the box, and I’ve stayed there my whole life.”
Her love of fashion began as a child growing up in New York, where shopping trips with her mother became defining moments.
She said: “There was this little boutique and my mum took me there and bought me the most perfect dress with a matching bow in my hair.
“That was two women as a team – we just loved going to the shops together. I think that’s where I got my shopping gene from.”
Now, Mikki’s home reflects that lifelong passion – with an entire room transformed into a wardrobe.
She said: “My closet is completely colour-coded, there’s a whole section of yellow, a whole section of green, and everything in between.
“And my shoes? I have a shoe spinner with around 200 pairs. Fashion is my passion. That’s always been my motto.”
Her styling process is just as bold as her wardrobe.
She said: “I always start with the shoes or the jewellery. If you start with clothes, you limit yourself to what matches.
“But if you start with something like a pink and green necklace, suddenly you’re creating an outfit you would never have gone looking for. That’s where the magic happens.”
Despite her confidence, Mikki admits some of her past looks have even surprised her.
She said: “I look back at some outfits and think, ‘Oh my God, that’s actually mad.’ But that’s my story – I’ve always taken risks.
“I’ve never followed trends, and I don’t need to. I don’t have to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe every season.”
Alongside her fashion, Mikki credits her energy and youthful appearance to a disciplined lifestyle.
She said: “People always ask me what my secret is, and I give them the same four answers – exercise, obsessive skin care, supplements, and a positive attitude.
“I’ve always exercised – I was a professional dancer, so it’s part of my DNA. I’m in the gym every day doing Pilates, swimming, weights and I love to dance.
“I’m also obsessed with skincare and makeup, I read about it, I study it, and I have routines morning and night. I use supplements all the time, and energy is a huge part of it too.”
Mikki has lived many lives, building 10 companies and becoming an international speaker, and says she never expected her latest chapter.
She said: “I thought I’d be slowing down, focusing on my coaching business and just enjoying life.
“But now I’m on career number 11.”
That unexpected turn came after she was encouraged to share her life online.
She said: “A friend told me I should try TikTok, and I said, ‘that’s for 20-year-olds.’ And she said, ‘no, they need you.’
“So I asked my 17-year-old neighbour to help me, and I said, ‘I don’t know what I’m doing, you have to teach me.’
“I made a video and said, ‘Hi, I’m Mikki, I’m a natural 82-year-old,’ and the next thing I knew, I was trending.
“By the next morning, I had over a million views. It just took off so fast.”
Now sharing her outfits, fitness routines and daily life, Mikki says she sees herself as inspirational.
She said: “I don’t really understand it, because I’m just being me.
“But if there’s one thing I’d say to people, it’s this, stop waiting for permission.
“Take a risk, be a bit outrageous, and just do it.”
