What is quiet luxury? Marked by expensive materials in muted tones, quiet luxury, also known as stealth wealth, is “the complete lack of logos and anything too conspicuous,” said Thomaï Serdari, professor of marketing and director of the fashion and luxury program at NYU's Stern School of Business.
If we had to define "quiet luxury" with one specific brand, The Row would be the answer. Founded in 2001 by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, it thrives on the essence of pared-back minimalism. Insiders will understand the details in the undone aesthetic the brand prides itself on.
Quiet luxury is an aesthetic that is based on looking expensive, without the flashing of designer logos head-to-toe. It's more of the “if you know, you know” vibe. It's all about having a refined approach to style and wearing pieces that are well-made and considered to be timeless.
Born out of subtlety, the style is softer than minimalism, but has a more polished look than normcore for example”. Freidrik adds, “The infamous “ludicrously capacious bag” moment in the current season of Succession and the reaction online shows that 'quiet luxury' is still alive and well”.
The dress code: craft-focused brands, refined tailoring, logo-free clothing and choosing minimalist and essential pieces. For quiet luxury men, their wardrobe may include neutral polo shirts, knitted cotton blazers, quality leather shoes and tailored trousers.
Quiet luxury is the antithesis of fast fashion, with a focus on thoughtful shopping and wearing true investment pieces. A juxtaposition to the logomania that was trending over the past few years, it's a more minimalist approach to dressing.
Overall we must understand that quiet luxury is just classist at the end of the day. Wear what you want. If you still want to have that “clean girl-quiet luxury” aesthetic, then by all means, do what you want; just know and understand that no one is below you because of that.
Hermes is probably the most well known quiet luxury brand. Their clothing is made using the highest materials, sewn by hand, and will last for years to come.
The old-money aesthetic is not limited to a specific social hierarchy. In fact, quiet luxury is less about wealth and more so about exuding confidence — picking elevated essentials that not only last a lifetime but that make you feel like 100 million bucks, regardless of your fashion budget.
His offerings for both men and women, which often come in a palette of black, black and more black, are a chic and very Parisian interpretation of quiet luxury: sharp and elegant killer looks that make you stand out without trying too hard.
Over the past couple of months, one phrase has dominated the lexicon of the fashion community: “quiet luxury.” Simply put, quiet luxury is the latest style craze, characterized by minimalist silhouettes, a muted color palette, and a high price tag. Of course, such demure, yet expensive garments are nothing new.
And boy did we know it. Gucci's artistic director received rave reviews for his debut, defining an eccentric and androgynous aesthetic, mixing and matching codes of old and new, which would later be referred to by the industry as the 'Gucci Effect'.
One of the most prominent and established quiet luxury brands is Bottega Veneta.
The Key Features of Quiet Luxury
The idea is that these materials—warm wood, silk, velvet—hold a timeless quality that will retain their beauty through time and trends. Focus on making a home feel inviting rather than overt opulence. Quiet luxury is all about the details.
While this may sound a little basic, an easy way to remember the difference is that hard luxury refers to pieces that are physically harder to break, while soft luxury refers to pieces that are soft to the touch.
Subtle Luxury is a California clothing company that designs fashionable clothing and accessories. Pool to Party, Spun and Loungerie are labels within this brand.
Old money refers to people who have inherited significant generational wealth; their families have been wealthy for several generations.
Question: Is Loewe a quiet luxury brand? Answer: Yes, Loewe offers the concept of quiet luxury through its minimalistic designs.
The main reason why Hermès products are so pricy is that most, if not all, of their products are handmade. This luxury house prides itself on its exclusive products and in turn the process of manufacturing these goods has always been considered an art form.
Price: Chanel vs. Hermes. Since bags rank high among the most sought-after items from both brands, the segment suits us best in our quest to know their price differences. Regarding ultra-luxurious limited creations, including handbags, Hermès is more expensive than Chanel.
If there's one celebrity who has long been advocating quiet luxury, it's Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. She may have skeleton-key access to all the designer collections, but she still opts for pieces that only those in the know will recognise. That, friends, is the essence of quiet luxury.
Quiet Luxury is TikTok's Latest Nonsensical Fashion Trend
The aesthetic's adherents posits that rich people don't dress in ostentatious labels, but instead communicate their wealth through brands like Brunello Cucinell, Loro Piana and The Row.