While fashion goes through phases of new trends and styles, there are a select few that are timeless and always en vogue. These include a range of minimalist aesthetics, from the clean girl look to quiet luxury. While they are all similar in their general aesthetic and the idea that beauty comes from simplicity, they all have their subtle differences that make each aesthetic unique.
Within the minimalist style is the classic "old money" aesthetic. Just like the quiet luxury look, the focus of this is taking simple yet elevated basics to create the essence of luxury. It's not so much about sporting big brand names as much as it is about wearing clothes that are well-tailored to your body and finding beauty in the simplicity of a look. Many have also compared it to the English countryside style or more of a preppy style. What makes it different from some of the other minimalist styles is the restrained maximalism. With small touches of chunky jewelry or the inclusion of more patterns and textures, the old money tastefully embraces a sense of maximalism that still looks sophisticated and chic.
While the name itself suggests that you might need to splurge to recreate the look, there are many ways to recreate this aesthetic on a budget. We’ve found the key hallmarks of this style and our favorite items for your wardrobe so you can recreate this look without having to break the bank.
Neutral Color Palette
The key to the old money aesthetic is beauty in its simplicity, which means keeping a more neutral color palette. This doesn’t necessarily mean just sticking to black or white. Especially with year’s Color of the Year being Mocha Mousse, browns and beiges have a certain allure of wealth and luxury to them that lean into this aesthetic and style. In the summer, opt for creams and off-whites if you’re looking for a more subtle alternative to white.
Subtle Pop of Color
While neutrals are the go-to when you think of an old money outfit, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun with a pop of color. When it comes to styling color with the old money aesthetic, subtle colors like pastels or more muted shades tend to work best. Especially when they’re styled as a small pop that's paired with neutral accessories or layers.
High-Quality Basics
As we’ve said earlier, the key to the style is its simplicity. While the old money aesthetic is all about luxury and a clean aesthetic, its elegance comes from taking the simple and elevating it. That's where high-quality basics come in. Simple things like a plain white t-shirt that isn’t too loose or fitted, or a pair of dark wash jeans and other basic trousers with a more structured silhouette can give you the perfect base that you can mix and match with to get so many different looks.
Button-Down Blouses
A good button down is so sophisticated and can easily be styled up or down depending on the occasion. Button-downs are a staple for the luxurious aesthetic, regardless of whether they’re the usual long-sleeved cotton button-down shirts or even a button-down vest. You can either wear them as is or use them as a layer. There are so many ways to style a button down making it a versatile and key piece for your wardrobe.
Light Layers
Old Money outfits often include layers. This is what separates an outfit that is worn from an outfit that is styled. Layers are the key to making a complete look. And this doesn’t have to mean throwing a jacket on top of what you’re wearing. There are so many types of layers — from cardigans to blazers — that can be worn in different ways, either wearing them as a traditional jacket or tying the sleeves and having them sit over your shoulders. Layers are what complete a look.
Tailored Fit
The Old Money aesthetic heavily relies on clean silhouettes. This means focusing on clothes that flatter your body depending on your shape and finding clean silhouettes that work for you. For example, as a more petite curvy girl, I love wearing more flared high-waisted jeans to create more balance, but go for a regular fit shirt since I already have a more dramatic silhouette at the bottom. Or, if you opt for more relaxed fitted pants and shirts, add a belt to highlight your waist and give a cleaner silhouette.
Matching Sets
Nothing feels more old money than a matching set. Whether that's a pantsuit or top and skirt set, the cohesive look from top to bottom adds a sense of refinement. These are also a great way to introduce other colors or even patterns, like stripes, into your look since they’ll be consistent throughout the outfit.
Simple & Sculptural Jewelry
While maximalist jewelry has become more of a trend in recent years, there is still a way to style it that doesn’t feel as modern and leans more on the classic and timeless side. Sticking to one metal tone, like yellow or white gold, and keeping it consistent throughout your outfit is key. While I do love dainty jewelry, the trick to styling it within the old-money aesthetic is to add certain sculptural pieces as an accent piece. This could be a pair of chunkier earrings, which most people opt for, or maybe a statement ring in a stack of daintier ones.
Pointed Toe Shoes
What ultimately completes the outfit is your shoes. When it comes to the old money style, I immediately picture more sleek shoes, often ones with a pointed toe. Whether they’re flats, heels, boots, or even sneakers, the shoes create a more elongated effect through the leg even with a subtle point at the end.
Subdued Statement Bags
The final piece of any outfit is the bag. When it comes to bags for that old-money look, it's about making a subtle statement. Those might sound like two conflicting words, but the key is balance. If you’re going for a neutral color, consider going for a bag that has an interesting shape or a bigger size. If you’re going for something with a unique texture, balance that out by going for a smaller size so it keeps your whole outfit in balance. This is how you separate old money style from other minimalist looks, you embrace the maximalist traits.
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