If you haven’t heard, the “Old Money” fashion trend is getting quite a lot of hate in the consumer fashion space. People are claiming to be sick and tired of hearing about it, seeing styling videos or any piece of content encouraging others to indulge in that kind of fashion.
The term Old Money has been used interchangeably with Quiet Luxury where both refer to fashion that does not have distinctive features, bright colors or ostentatious designs. They are often made of high quality fabrics by notable designers with impeccable craftsmanship which makes them very expensive. It’s called Old Money because people of generational wealth are notorious for subscribing to this type of understated fashion. They value worthwhile investments in clothing and do not need to prove their wealth through their fashion; hence the term “quiet luxury”.
However, opposers of the Old Money fashion trend are adamant about dissuading others from it because they believe it perpetuates classism, racism and misogyny.
Old Money describes the socioeconomic class of wealth that has been passed from generations before. This is money from way,way back. It was associated with nobility like Kings, Queens, Emperors and the likes. It was also the fashion of choice for the elites of society. Historically, these people were involved in founding and maintaining history’s worst institutions and practices. These included slavery, class division, exploitation of the vulnerable and abuse of power. Many of these people were also white Anglo-Saxons.
For this reason, people opposing today’s Old Money fashion trend claim that it “sickens” them to believe that anyone would want to dress like this. How could someone want to dress like those whose actions throughout the centuries have created inequities, unfairness and constant struggle in the lives of others? Struggles that are still being experienced even to this day.
It is also argued that the female version of the Old Money aesthetic screams misogyny. Historically, women were a marginalized group. Up until the 1940s they did not have much of a voice nor independence. Therefore, they often submitted to certain standards of beauty dictated by the men of their time. As spouse to nobility and the elite, women had to dress in a specific manner which non-verbally communicated that they were in fact elite and belonged to an exclusive club. Thus on these grounds, they ought to be treated with respect and given access to certain luxuries in life. This clearly created disparity amongst women, leaving those who could not afford this fashion to be marginalized and undervalued. Today, descendants of these marginalized women find the appeal of this fashion trend quite odd. After decades of fighting for a voice and independence over their bodies (a fight that continues to this day) it befuddles them that women feel comfortable reverting to this aesthetic that is laced in misogyny.
Some people believe that as a trend, Old Money and Quiet Luxury fashion defeats their own purpose; to be understated, not noticed. For something called “quiet” it is rather loud.
Additionally, proponents of the trend who have published content on curating wardrobes and styling tips have had their content refuted for inaccurate representations of what the aesthetic really is. The most popular content on the subject often includes specific fashion items, colors and brands. However, old money fashion is not limited to these. Most accurately, it is defined as fashion that is suitable for the occasion it is being worn to. For example, old money individuals often wear equestrian style fits to equestrian centered events and not as daily casual wear that 2023’s fashionistas are depicting. Women wear delicate, feminine colors and floral designs to events like brunch and tea parties where it’s appropriate. However, they do not wear them to evening dinners or on errand runs as being portrayed today.
Despite these reasons, most people welcome this style aesthetic. It highlights slower fashion consumption of better quality items, especially coming from an era of fast fashion which is notorious for its adverse effects on the earth and its human resources. Stay Fashionably Well,
TheFashionFindess
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