passing trend or here to stay?
Tailored suits, oxfords, country clubs, tennis, large swimming pools, and fresh flowers go through our minds when we hear “old money”. But what is actually this trend that has invaded the internet? Where did it come from and why is it so popular? After watching a few cute Instagram posts or TikTok videos, we might have an idea, but is this just a passing trend? or an investment in long-term style?
If you, like me, are interested in this fashion trend, keep reading to learn more about it. And if you already consider yourself an expert on the topic, I’d like to share a few extra tips with you for achieving the old-money look while being sustainable and taking care of your budget. Let’s start, but first, you need to understand where this phrase originated from and what it was initially used for.
Old Money is a look that is based on a rich, traditional aesthetic. To begin with, talking about old money refers to people who have inherited riches, such as many businessmen and persons with titles of nobility, to name a few examples.
Around the year 1900, the term “old money” was used to describe an elite social class and ancient families that were involved in the establishment of significant towns and whose riches grew generation after generation, attended prestigious boarding schools and private or renowned universities, and also took great care of their image.
Since the beginning of civilization, the way we dress has been a way of expressing ourselves, but it has also been used as a symbol, and in this case, it was a kind of code to represent class status and privileges. Old money, being a fashion developed in its time among wealthy people, could not overlook the combination of sportswear and formal wear, because golf, horse riding, and tennis were wonderful sources of inspiration. Yeah! This is why white socks, pleated skirts, loafers, polo shirts, coats, and other “quiet luxury” items surround the old money aesthetic.
And what exactly do we mean by “quiet luxury”? Simple! It is to dress in a discreet and sober wardrobe; the garments are made with the highest quality and best materials, so they are expensive; however, because this style does not use logos or extravagances, it is not apparent that they are designer pieces. In brief, this style does not require screaming: Hey, I´m wearing Chanel!
A clear example of public figures who have been icons of old money and silent luxury are the deceased Lady D. of Wales, Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, Kate Middleton, and families such as the Hiltons, the Hearsts, and the Kennedys. And as for brands; Lacoste, Tommy Hilfiger, Armani, Dior, Ralph Lauren, Chanel, and Hermes are icons of this style.
This aesthetic has recently grown in popularity due to television shows such as Gossip Girl and Succession. In social media, we also see how this “Aesthetic” combines the characteristics that young people consider typical of people with a high economic level, noble families, or who have owned money for many generations, and baptizing this style with, perhaps, a song by Lana del Rey. Does this sound familiar?
Focusing on old-money fashion
We already know that Old Money is based on the elites lifestyles and activities; it attempts to replicate experiences such as going out to a country breakfast with friends, sailing, and so on. However, within this lifestyle, we obviously find the look and ways of dressing as a part to highlight, which we will now discuss.
As we already mentioned, the core point here is elegance hand in hand with discretion. The clothes are of high quality even though they are not dotted with logos, and sometimes they can even look very sober.
To dress this style, we must focus on timeless garments with class and sophistication, which are elegant in any season regardless of trends. If you consider yourself a person with a classic style or bet on minimalism, old money may be one of the ways to dress that goes well with you.
The fact that quality, heritage, and subtlety are prioritized is also something that in the long run can contribute to caring for the environment, since we only need a couple of quality pieces to put together a good old money wardrobe, there is no need to buy, buy and buy. To carry this proposal you can even take a look at your parents’ or grandparents’ closet, surely you could find something like a jacket that will be the protagonist of the look, a briefcase that you use as a bag, subtly tailored pants, or a cute dress. Classic pieces never go out of style, look for quality and not quantity.
For the color palette, opt for neutral and earth tones, but also add contrasts in darker but elegant colors. Choosing clothing in adaptable and classic colors allows you to mix and match with ease, creating a cohesive wardrobe with fewer items. Old-money also features a neutral color palette with rich, subdued hues like navy, burgundy, and forest green that maintain their timeless appeal. Obviously, you can include blue, purple, green, etc. The point is that the color is not excessively flashy.
Monochromatic looks or the sandwich method, in which two pieces of the outfit have the same color, are a good option to show off this aesthetic.
And which garments should you bet on?
My clothing suggestions for an old-money look are:
♡Shirts and blouses made of a good fabric that does not wrinkle too much and preferably in light colors
♡Blazers with proper fit in some solid color
♡Tailored suits
♡Mary Janes style shoes
♡Low heels or heels that make your foot look stylized
♡Blazers, skirts, and dresses in solid colors or with subtle prints, stripes, and Houndstooth clothing are good options
♡Sweaters, sweaters, sweaters! If they are high-necked much better but also knitted sweaters, with a preppy touch
♡Tweed outfits (Chanel-inspired)
♡Oxfords
♡Trench coats
♡Coats with warm and quality fabrics such as wool
But as I always say, these are just suggestions, it all depends on your taste and your creativity, it is not necessary to buy all the clothes. Also, a great plus is that you can find the vast majority of them in bazaars and second-hand stores. I invite you to use heirloom garments and perhaps transform them slightly to adapt them to your taste and your needs.
Remember that there are always elegant options available at reasonable prices. It is entirely possible to put together a wardrobe that emanates old-money elegance and sophistication without spending a fortune.
Accessories also play an essential role, you can include classic and timeless pieces with which you look elegant without making much effort, for example:
♡Pearls in necklaces, earrings, or bracelets
♡Handbags without logos
♡Simple but elegant wallets
♡Clocks
♡Dark sunglasses
♡Silk or cashmere scarves
♡Leather gloves
♡Fascinators
♡Cufflinks
♡Hats
♡Brooches with old aesthetics
♡Signet rings
♡Headbands
♡Scarves to wear on the head or neck
The old money is then in its origin wealth inherited from generation to generation. Unfortunately, media such as social networks, television shows, and movies have quickly spread this culture, sometimes resulting in excessive consumption and complicated aspirational ideas. But aspiring to live a wealthy lifestyle like this is fruitless and unrealistic since you would literally have to have been born with the correct last name, in very particular circumstances, and with a sizeable inheritance. This is why the fashion world has renewed the trend, to refresh it and show us that “old money” is now an aesthetic that is simple to achieve, rather than a lifestyle goal.
That’s right, we don’t need a luxury yacht, flashy cars, or a sizeable ancestral mansion to emulate the old money. This aesthetic has become incredibly accessible thanks to online shopping, bazaars, and thrift stores, where you will find all the timeless accessories and items for your old-money wardrobe. Another thing I love about this is that old money encourages us to look for unique garments and family heirlooms, favoring environmental care and giving us a style plus.
This is one of the reasons why old money is here to stay, think about it; the classic and elegant fashion of a lifetime, but now back with the freshness of today, more flexibility, and minimalist and simple lines, it seems a very viable option! It is also a style that we can wear for any occasion, such as an informal day, a business meeting, going for a drink, or an elegant party.
I believe the fact that this fashion has returned is something we should take advantage of in terms of style and aesthetics, comfort, and environmental stewardship. This aesthetic has rendered logos obsolete, demonstrating that we don’t need much to appear sophisticated and elegant. I believe that our consumer mentality is changing and that trends are changing as well. Currently, it is not just about appearance and wealth; especially in the aftermath of major global crises such as the recent pandemic, other priorities have emerged. We can notice it in old money; which places a strong emphasis on quality items, establishing itself as a viable way of dressing that rejects the consumption of fast fashion.
Today’s fashion seeks to place a greater emphasis on quality and craftsmanship than on high-priced items, and the great news is that we have both vintage and contemporary pieces, as well as classics hidden in the closets of our parents and grandparents, to achieve this look and tailor it to our individuality.
And, while old money may appear to be wholly disconnected from sustainable fashion, ideas are convergent in their emphasis on high-quality neutral-toned pieces that can be worn indistinctly and will last.
This aesthetic is not so much about looking rich, it´s about shopping consciously and investing in your wardrobe. It may be a ‘trend’, but the style associated with it can carry you for decades, and the pieces are meant to last. Shopping at thrift stores offers the opportunity to embrace classic styles without entering the fast fashion cycle. The appeal of being ‘timeless’ is that you can select a wardrobe that can be worn forever, with pieces that will never age or get lost at the whim of trends. This is why old money is not a passing trend, and it is here to stay and inspire us, I think that even if it is not your favorite style, there are many things we can learn from it.
The old money style is perfect. Modest, natural colors and materials. Everything is elegantly selected and suits anyone who dresses like this.