The old money look has been present for a while, despite the fact that fashion is constantly changing. And it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere, thanks to TikTok. Although flashy, Y2K-inspired fashions have recently made a comeback (thanks Dua Lipa), many of us remain attracted to the subtle beauty of old money attire.
In the past, the term “old money” has been used to describe wealthy individuals who have inherited their riches, typically from an extended family of relatives who also did so. These individuals are the type you could picture attending polo matches and enjoying champagne on yachts. The term “new money,” on the other hand, describes people who become wealthy later in life and whose lifestyles are frequently (and even erroneously) disparaged too loud and flashy.
Old money fashion, also described as “quiet luxury,” frequently features preppy, monochrome, and subtly opulent attire. These clothes don’t have any logos at all, in contrast to the new money style, which may or may not suit your tastes.
Some people think the old money look is elegant and refined, while others think it’s dowdy and out of date. However, it appears to be a reaction to the Kardashians’ “California rich” look.
Because of their exquisite designs, focus on quality and craftsmanship, and legacy, companies like Brunello Cucinelli and Hermès are known for their “old money” apparel. As a result of their dazzling logos and enormous fits, labels like Louis Vuitton and Gucci, on the opposite end of the spectrum, exude a more new money vibe.
It goes without saying that TikTok creators are obsessed with the old money style. One of them even shared a video “introducing the old money aesthetic” to the tune of Lana Del Rey. The video features several opulent images, including editorials for Ralph Lauren featuring coastal settings and the 1993 Christian Dior catwalk. Check it out here:
Another TikTok user seemed to be making fun of the Kardashian family’s particular brand of “new money,” with ‘I Love My Friends’ (also known as the Kardashians’ cover of Kris Jenner’s famous birthday song) playing in the forefront and various images of influential individuals answering next to fancy automobiles and an excessive amount of expensive clothing and shoes. Check it out here:
Generation wealth/old money fashion, according to @stylehard, “frequently takes the form of extremely costly yet very subtle clothes . Some could find it dull, while others might find it to be quite sophisticated and elegant. When it comes to fashion, Blair Waldorf is the ideal representation of generations, old money luxury.
“New money, also known as nouveaux riches, is frequently presented in the form of overdone, obnoxious logos like ‘I’m flaunting my money and I’d like you to know,'” she stated. While some people find this to be very hip and fashionable, others find it to be incredibly gaudy.
When it comes to the old money look, another content producer concurred that Blair Waldorf is the ultimate “It girl”:
People like Hollywood actress Audrey Hepburn, former US first lady Jackie Onassis, and well-known gossip girl fashionista Blair Waldorf, thoroughly exemplify the old money style with their understated and exquisite attire.
A fascinating paradox results from the simplicity of “old money” clothing: the items that don’t scream affluence are actually symbols of excessive wealth. The TikTok community, which has been inundated with ostentatious, logo-filled clothes by numerous influencers, is fascinated by this dichotomy.
Given that #oldmoney has 1 billion views on Tiktok while #oldmoney has 320 million, it’s safe to assume that the old money fad is here to stay.