Unveiling the Secrets of Old Money Style

The ‘old money‘ trend is currently taking over TikTok and Instagram. As a result of the old money style going this viral, you might think: 

‘What is it about this trend that freaks people out?’ In short, the exclusivity and simplicity inherent in old money style propel this trend to widespread popularity.

Old money style-colors

Unlike the latest fashion trends, the old money aesthetic is more about a muted and subtle color palette implying a neutral sweater or other classic pieces . Also, this style is not about being the most outstanding person due to garish colors, so cut them out. 

Furthermore, you should wear easily combinable colors to have as many options to combine your high-quality pieces as possible.

Typical old money colors are:

• White
• Beige
• Grey
• Khaki 
• Navy blue
• Olive green

Old money brands

Whilst colors shouldn’t be too flashy, the same applies to brand logos. Old money style doesn’t need and certainly isn’t fitted to big logos. Thus the whole fashion design trend where the logo takes away half of the clothing is no way near to be found to being worn by quiet luxury. 

For this instance, brands like Gucci or Balenciaga are not considered to represent the old money vibe and you will not see a person dressing old money, wearing this kind of fashion. Rather, brands like Ralph Lauren and Loro Piana represent quiet wealth perfectly.

If you want to take a closer look at affordable and designer old money brands you should check out my blog post about this topic.

Typical Old money clothes

Old money opts for a subtle look you can combine with anything to fit this color scheme. Now that you’ve learned how to select the appropriate colors, let’s look at specific clothes to choose for a unique old money style.

Old money clothes for women

• Blouses
• Blazers
• Polo shirts
• Tennis skirts (white)
• Fine-knit sweaters
• Cardigans
• Twilly silk cloth
• Riding boots
• Loafers
• Pleated pants and Chino pants
• Wool pants
• Trench coats
• Turtleneck sweaters
• Sweater vests
• Heel shoes

These timeless pieces of clothing, if combined well, will make any woman look old money. Later down the line, we will see how you can implement those articles into your everyday old money outfits.

Old money clothes for men

• Loafers
• Cropped Pants
• Wool pants
• Sweaters
• Linen Shirt
• Polo Shirt
• Chinos
• White leather sneakers
• Knit sweaters
• Cable knit sweater 
• Blazer
• Suit pants
• Button-down shirts
• Fleece jacket
• Dress shoes

With the above-mentioned principles in mind, you can create timeless and elegant outfits with the clothes. As you further progress, you will get some more inspiration on how to mix, match, and layer those items for a sophisticated look.

Tips for a better-looking old money style

One way to add some spice to your old money outfit is by adding texture texture. You can mix different textures to create a unique look to make your outfits stand out. This will create a truly impressive outfit.

For example, you can wear Chinos paired with a nice knit sweater to profit from that mix of the Chino fabric and wool. If you want to go even more extreme you can wear a cable knit sweater paired with more formal pants and shoes.

Another way to level up your old money style is by wearing the right  timeless accessories. I wrote a detailed article about 14 old money accessories to show you all the accessories to level up your old money style.

One accessory you can easily level up your old money style with is a bracelet or a watch. No matter if you are a man or a woman, a watch will always level up your outfit. 

To choose the right watch I would consider buying either one with a leather strap or a simple watch with a Milanese strap. With these two options, you avoid being seen as wanting to look rich. Depending on your budget, I would consider buying a Patek Phillipe or a Cartier watch.

Alternatively, read this article to find 8 old money watches and their affordable alternatives.

Old money outfit suggestions

With the array of clothing items provided, you can now fashion your own outfits. Initially, if you’re new to combining these elements, it might seem a bit daunting.

Whilst this topic is covered in detail in my article about the 27 best old money outfits, here is a short list of outfit suggestions for you.

1. Timeless suit

If you want to dress a bit more formally, an excellent option is a  suit or blazer and chinos. I would recommend wearing this outfit in the colder seasons as it can be a bit too much layering for the warmer months.

Nevertheless, this combination will look great on you. Sporting this ensemble, you’ll stand out to others without the use of flashy colors or prominent brand logos.

2. Skirt & knit-sweater

Going out to breakfast or lunch with friends? Or just chilling on a yacht. Midi skirts and knit sweaters will be the perfect pieces of clothing for these occasions. They offer warmth and the appearance of leaving a lavish mansion for a strategic meeting with important friends.

3.  Tied sweater over your shoulders

You can combine this tied sweater with almost anything not too formal. A great option is a linen shirt with some Chino pants to give off that relaxed but at the same time elevated look.

This is the perfect outfit for warmer months when it can easily get a little cold in the evenings. It will not only keep you warm if you need to but you will look old money unlike anyone else. 

4. Sweater & Chino pants

If you want something you can wear on any occasion, you can never be wrong with a sweater and Chino pants. Depending on the choice of that sweater and if you put a shirt under it will determine the level of formality. 

You can wear this look on its own or add some stylish accessories to it to perfectly add up to that typical old-money style. In my opinion, if you don’t know what to wear, this will always be the go-to option.

5. Formal attire black tie

For the most formal events, old money likes to show everyone what their closets have to offer. With a tailored suit featuring clean lines and high-quality metals, men are best served here.

Women often opt for a timeless and highly elegant dress instead. With black being the prominent color at those events, a handmade black dress with high-quality materials and a timeless cut is the go-to option here.

For more inspiration on those formal outfits, check out my recent article here.

Styling rules old money

With all the essentials for achieving the old money look covered, let’s delve into the styling principles adhered to by old money. As with almost everything about old money, your styling should be more on the conservative side of things.

As you should’ve learned by now, old money style is not about showing off and bragging about your latest trendy clothes but rather about being dressed to impress with elegance and a timeless design.

Speaking of attitude. As with any outfit you will wear in your life, you should feel confident in what you’re wearing. If you don’t have confidence in your look, it will just seem to others that you are trying to imitate some millionaires.

Final thoughts on the old money style

As you can see from this article, Old money style can be easily replicated by just following basic principles. pair neutral colors and high quality together and you will achieve that wealthy look.

Generell, opt for a versatile wardrobe with clean lines, maybe throw in tailored suits and generally opt for a nice mixture of casual and formal attire.

FAQ

How to dress for old money?

Timeless staples like a cable knit sweater and an Oxford shirt combined with clean-cut midi skirts or chinos make a great old money style.

What brands represent the old money style?

Ralph Lauren, Loro Piana, and Tommy Hilfiger represent old money style the best.

What are the colors for old money suits

Navy, black, beige, and grey are the most common colors for old money suits.