If you’ve ever wanted to look wealthy without wearing visible logos and bold colors, old money outfits are for you. This aesthetic involves wearing neutral color palettes, sleek shapes, minimal prints, fine tailoring, clean lines, and premium fabrics like silk, cashmere, wool, and suede. It’s not for everyone, but for the crème de la crème of society, the high-net-worth (HNW) individuals who believe that less is more even in fashion.
In this guide, we explore the old money aesthetic, showing you how to build a wardrobe filled with expensive yet understated pieces that command attention without begging for it.
What are Old Money Outfits?
Otherwise known as “quiet luxury” or “stealth wealth,” the old money aesthetic centers around the silent opulence and clean aesthetics of the upper echelon. It was coined by Gen Z and millennial social media users as an ode to the effortless dress style of high-net-worth (HNW) individuals with inherited wealth.
This fashion style prioritizes timeless, minimalist pieces over gaudy logos and flashy trends. It advocates for logo-free products while focusing on superb craftsmanship, high-quality materials, and muted tones.
The old money trend entails investing in classic staples that can be worn for years without going out of style. It reinforces the belief that luxury style doesn’t always mean extremely expensive pieces. Instead, true luxury focuses on creating a timeless, confident look that isn’t dependent on high price tags. In other words, it means looking elegant without seeming like you tried to and embodying an innate status money can’t buy.
A classic example is HBO’s series, Succession. The film’s characters, mostly billionaires, donned tailored, functional pieces without flagrant logos and flashy brand names. Consequently, fans began to adopt the show’s silent luxe style, embracing a minimalistic, logo-free wardrobe, contributing to the rise of the old money trend.
Timeless Classics for an Old Money Wardrobe
Imagine this: you’re at a yacht party with the crème de la crème of society. Everyone is sipping from their glasses containing expensive wine. Some are clad in elegant pieces in bold hues and emblazoned logos, while others are decked out in muted shades and fine tailoring.
If the latter resonates with you and you want to try your hand at outfits that exude a rich girl vibe, here are old money styles for your shopping inspiration:
- Knitwear and wool sweaters or cardigans.
- Herringbone, stripes, polka dots, plaids, and other subtle patterns.
- Pleated skirts and pants.
- High-rise pants and jeans
- Tweed co-ords
- Turtlenecks
- Quality trench coats.
- Pantsuits and business casual ensembles.
- Structured loafers and Mary Jane shoes.
- Satin skirts and dresses
- Oversized blazers
- Polos and tees.
- Matching two-pieces
- Logo-free handbags and accessories.
- Deluxe fabrics like silk, cashmere, cotton, wool, velvet, khaki, linen, denim, and tweed.
These outfits evoke a sense of luxury and an understated yet polished aesthetic. Think of a preppy-style outfit featuring a white button-down shirt, brown high-waisted pants, and a sleeveless wool grey sweater. These old-money wardrobe staples emphasize quality, wealth, structure, and texture that don’t require too much to pull off.
Rock them in quiet luxury colors like black, white, grey, beige, tan, olive green, brown, navy, and pastel hues. Then, pair them with dainty accessories and strike the perfect balance between sophistication and effortless elegance that only the ultra-wealthy can afford.
How to Pull off Old Money Outfits
Old money emphasizes the beauty of simplicity. It encourages investing in pieces that can be dressed up or down, depending on the details and purpose. Below, we explore how to pull it off for a timeless, graceful look:
Choose Quality Over Quantity
For old money, one quality, well-made item is better than ten tacky pieces. This doesn’t mean you should only invest in expensive pieces. You can always find quality, well-tailored clothing from thrift stores, vintage shops, or during sales at high-end retailers. So, choose high-quality pieces that can be mixed and matched with other staples rather than fast fashion that falls apart after a few wears or years.
Quiet luxury brands like Ralph Lauren, Loro Piana, Brunello Cucinelli, Bottega Veneta, Goyard, Bally, and Hermès meet this aesthetic. They offer different clothing items, including shirts, dresses, blazers, trousers, and accessories, that focus on quality craftsmanship, comfort, and sophistication.
Be Timeless, Not Trendy
Trends are fleeting and not suitable for a quiet, luxe wardrobe. If you follow every trend that comes and goes, you’ll have a wardrobe of outdated pieces you’ll be ashamed to wear in a few years.
The old money aesthetic celebrates timeless styles over trendy pieces. Think classic clothing such as coats, well-tailored pants, and wool sweaters. These items can be passed down as heirlooms, serving different generations. The key is to prioritize your personal style over what’s in vogue. By investing in high-quality, timeless staples, you express your individuality, not society’s, and create a wardrobe that lasts years without going out of fashion.
Be Confident
One reason people wear loud luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Gucci is that the ostentatious logos and visible brand names announce their status. You immediately identify as rich once a high-end brand logo is visible on your clothes or accessories. But that’s not the same for old money outfits, as they lack splashy luxury symbols.
Instead of announcing social class and status via emblems and names, old money creates a wardrobe of sophisticated, high-end staples that whisper rather than scream class. What does this imply? Nobody will know how expensive your silent luxe outfit may be unless you rock it with confidence.
So, carry yourself well, stand tall, make eye contact, and exude a confident air of old money. Remember, it’s a style for the upper crust, not the ordinary.
Old Money Outfits Have Come to Stay
Old money celebrates a luxe dress sense that prioritizes conscious shopping over fleeting fashion. The trend encourages you to invest in minimalist, lush pieces that help you create an evergreen wardrobe and an ageless class that stands the test of time.
So, get right into it. Start by pairing your jeans with a classic white shirt, black pumps, and a tan handbag. Remember, it’s simplicity, refined craftsmanship, and subtlety over conspicuous brand displays.
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