Things to Know About Old Money Style

With every new introduction, a completely different fashion trend manages to capture our attention. The "Old Money" style, which briefly entered our lives in previous seasons, celebrates its return this time in a stronger and more enduring manner. We've closely examined the Old Money style that has made us forget all the colorful, vibrant, and exaggerated trends inspired by the 2000s from the past seasons, frequently seen on social media.

What is Old Money?

The sophisticated appearance, elegance, and simplicity that catch attention with the Old Money aesthetic are actually inspired by a segment of society born into wealth, able to preserve their riches for multiple generations. The style emerging from this lifestyle is based on activities such as polo matches, golf, yachting, and skiing, which are part of a luxurious life. In this style, which avoids the need for showiness, refrains from exaggeration, and embraces simplicity, a classic and minimal image is drawn to create a timeless wardrobe.

What's important here is investing in timeless and quality pieces rather than following seasonal trends and a shopping approach based on fast fashion. Emphasizing sustainability, the key elements in this trend are quality craftsmanship, premium fabrics, and valuable pieces.

Although still seen as style icons for many with their timeless style, Princess Diana, America's most famous First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly, who mesmerized an era with their elegance, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, who quickly became one of the fashion icons of the 90s, and Blair Waldorf, the iconic character from the Gossip Girl series, are the first names that come to mind when we talk about the Old Money style. However, in recent times, the leadership of the trend has been taken over by Sofia Richie, the famous singer Lionel Richie's daughter, referred to as the new "it-girl" of the era.

With her highly talked-about wedding on social media, Sofia Richie, not only managed to bring the concept of old money back into fashion magazines with her wedding choices but also with her honeymoon style. These figures, considered as style inspirations for every era with their simple, elegant, and timeless preferences, show that the Old Money aesthetic is not just a passing trend but rather a permanent fashion understanding that emerges as a lifestyle.

Old Money and Quiet Luxury

Another concept introduced into our lives with the Old Money trend is "quiet luxury." In contrast to the flashy and big logos, monograms, and a more colorful and maximalist fashion approach, unpretentious and minimal pieces, clean designs that highlight quality fabrics and craftsmanship take precedence.

While brands like Gucci and Louis Vuitton serve a flashy and ostentatious fashion approach with their familiar designs consisting of exaggerated logos, referred to as "New Money," targeting those who became rich later and are not shy about showing off their wealth, brands like Ralph Lauren, Hermès, Brunello Cucinelli, The Row, Bottega Veneta, Chanel, and Dior lead the Old Money brands with more timeless, elegant, and sophisticated "quiet luxury" designs. While some find the quiet luxury fashion boring and outdated, others consider the maximalist designs associated with the New Money lifestyle as "nouveau riche" and excessive.

The quiet luxury fashion is not only visible in clothing but also in the concept of beauty. Emerging with the "Clean Girl" trend, a glassy-looking skin, natural-applied light blush, mascara, and highlighter make up a natural and clean makeup look that fits perfectly with the Old Money aesthetic. Shiny, silky-looking hair completes this makeup look.

Old Money and Capsule Wardrobe

Standing out with the allure of timelessness, the Old Money style passes through a wardrobe consisting of never-out-of-date pieces, which we can also call a "capsule wardrobe." In this fashion understanding, the aim is not to invest in pieces that will quickly become outdated by following every new trend but to invest in cult pieces that will always maintain their quality. Linen shirts, blazers, cashmere cardigans and sweaters, fabric pants, tennis outfits, polo shirts, and shirts, satin dresses and skirts, monochrome suits, riding boots, and loafers make up the basic pieces of the Old Money wardrobe, while the color palette generally consists of softer and more natural colors, predominantly white and black.

In the minimalist style of the Old Money look, usually one piece stands out, mainly as an accessory. A custom-designed watch, a unique piece of jewelry, pearl earrings or necklace, a satin scarf, or a cult bag add a more sophisticated look.