Do you frequently daydream of lounging on your family’s yacht in the Hamptons with a classic novel and a glass of champagne without a financial care in the world? Then you’re not alone. The look typically worn by the real people who enjoy this lifestyle – preppy slacks, loafers, simple shirts, thick, expensive coats, riding breeches and other athleisure that somehow still looks classy – has been all over TikTok lately.
Teenagers, students and adult professionals alike have joined forces under the banner of the “Old Money” aesthetic. While most of us will never truly know the joys of generational wealth – and probably can’t afford to dress from top to toe in Lacoste, Ralph Lauren and Chanel – we can still dream. Below, we’ll take you through three easy, stylish and attainable ways to add a little more timeless luxury to your wardrobe.
Quality Over Quantity
First off, a piece of advice that’ll save you a lot of money if you stick to it from the get-go. When you’re trying to transform your wardrobe, it’s easy to fall into the trap of buying anything you see that fits the look you’re going for. This, however, defeats the purpose of the old money aesthetic. To explain this, we’ll need to touch on the polar opposite of old money – which is new money (these are, of course, only stereotypes, but bear with us here). Many claim to instantly be able to spot people who’ve recently come into money by the flashiness, tackiness and size of their wardrobe.
In other words: If your family has always had money, chances are you’ve never really experienced scarcity – and you probably don’t take pride in being able to flash your wealth, because it’s just a given. Instead, you’d prefer to invest selectively in versatile, timeless quality pieces that you’ll love forever. So, when trying to lean into this look, invest in a few key items such as quality loafers, classic shirts and simple, classic jewelry that you don’t see yourself getting tired of.
Keep It Casual
Next up is a side of this aesthetic that surprises many: That casual clothing and sportswear is such a big part of looking rich. Nevertheless, this becomes abundantly clear when looking at photos of old money icons such as Jackie Onassis or Princess Diana running errands. Particularly the latter is famous for her effortless gym outfits with beautiful, but simple sweaters and the odd pair of earrings – so famous, in fact, that these 80’s looks are still being copied piece for piece by gen Z’ers all over TikTok.
If you’re looking to add a bit of classy athleisure to your wardrobe, steer clear of any flashy patterns or colors and cheap fabrics. Instead, opt for durable options such as bicycle shorts – or riding breeches to look like you just came from the family stable – and neutral hues.
Stick to the Rules
Lastly, an integral part of old money is a certain level of conservatism. Whether you agree with these views or not is one thing – but even so, fashion rules from centuries ago must still be adhered to to achieve an old-money look.
Coco Chanel’s famous rules of fashion is a great place to start. Of course, with no reliable sources, there’s no way to tell whether she said these things word for word. But even if she didn’t, she certainly followed them. One of the most famous lines goes as follows: “Look for the woman in the dress. If there is no woman, there is no dress.” Another pair of gems would be: “It is always better to be slightly under-dressed” and “Fashion changes, but style endures.” You get the idea. Less is more – if the quality’s right.
