The resurgence of old money style: A complete guide to its history and how to wear it

There is something undeniably magnetic about the way old money dresses—an effortless sophistication that whispers rather than shouts. This aesthetic, once the exclusive domain of generational wealth, has found an unlikely new audience: Gen Z.
On TikTok, the hashtag #OldMoney has amassed over 2.5 billion views, with related tags like #OldMoneyAesthetic and #OldMoneyOutfits pulling in nearly a billion more. But this is not merely a fascination with wealth. It is a cultural shift, a rejection of excess in favor of restraint, and a longing for permanence in an era of disposable trends. To understand why this style resonates so deeply today, we must first trace its origins.
The roots of old money dressing stretch back centuries, to the aristocratic circles of Europe where clothing was less about fashion and more about legacy. Families like the Rothschilds and the Windsors built wardrobes designed to last—Savile Row suits, cashmere sweaters softened by decades of wear, pearls passed down through generations.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Bally (@bally)
Their style was never loud; it was deliberate, understated, and above all, enduring. Across the Atlantic, American dynasties like the Rockefellers and the Kennedys adopted a similar approach. Think of Jackie Kennedy's pillbox hats, JFK's perfectly rumpled polo shirts, or the quiet glamour of Grace Kelly. These were not outfits assembled for a season but for a lifetime.
What makes this aesthetic so compelling now is not just its association with wealth but its inherent rejection of modern fashion's excesses. In an age of fast fashion and viral micro-trends, the old money ethos offers an antidote: quality over quantity, subtlety over spectacle, timelessness over transience.
The rise of 'quiet luxury' in pop culture, from the understated power dressing in Succession to Sofia Richie's wedding wardrobe has only amplified its appeal. This is not about flaunting wealth but embodying a quieter, more assured kind of elegance.
Economic uncertainty has also played a role in this shift. With inflation and housing crises making traditional markers of success feel increasingly out of reach, Gen Z has turned to style as a form of aspirational expression. Unable to buy into the old money lifestyle, they are embracing its aesthetic, often through secondhand and vintage finds.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by LOEWE (@loewe)
The principles of old money style are deceptively simple. Fabric is paramount. Wool, silk, cashmere, and linen, nothing synthetic or fleeting. The color palette leans on neutrals: creams, navy, camel, and black, ensuring every piece can be worn interchangeably. Tailoring is non-negotiable; even the most basic white shirt looks elevated when it fits perfectly. Logos are absent, because true luxury does not need to announce itself. And perhaps most tellingly, the real old money move is shopping as if your wardrobe is already an heirloom—opting for vintage, secondhand, and pieces that will outlast trends. Swipe for finds that nail the 'old money' aesthetic
The true power of this style lies in its accessibility. You don't need a trust fund to dress with intention—you just need to understand that real luxury isn't about what you spend, but how you choose. And in that sense, the old money aesthetic might be the most democratic form of luxury we have left. – For more on how to look smart and live smarter, follow Emirates Man on Facebook and Instagram
Images: Supplied & Featured Image: Pinterest

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Sharjah 24

a day ago

• Sharjah 24

Labubu dolls ride China soft-power wave

Beijing-based Pop Mart is part of a rising tide of Chinese cultural exports gaining traction abroad, furry ambassadors of a "cool" China even in places associated more with negative public opinion of Beijing such as Europe and North America. Labubus, which typically sell for around $40, are released in limited quantities and sold in "blind boxes", meaning buyers don't know the exact model they will receive. The dolls are "a bit quirky and ugly and very inclusive, so people can relate", interior designer Lucy Shitova told AFP at a Pop Mart store in London, where in-person sales of Labubus have been suspended over fears that fans could turn violent in their quest for the toys. "Now everything goes viral... because of social media. And yes, it's cool. It's different." While neighbouring East Asian countries South Korea and Japan are globally recognised for their high-end fashion, cinema and pop songs, China's heavily censored film and music industry have struggled to attract international audiences, and the country's best-known clothing exporter is fast-fashion website Shein. There have been few success stories of Chinese companies selling upmarket goods under their own brands, faced with stereotypes of cheap and low-quality products. "It has been hard for the world's consumers to perceive China as a brand-creating nation," the University of Maryland's Fan Yang told AFP. Pop Mart has bucked the trend, spawning copycats dubbed by social media users as "lafufus" and detailed YouTube videos on how to verify a doll's authenticity. Brands such as designer womenswear label Shushu/Tong, Shanghai-based Marchen and Beijing-based handbag maker Songmont have also gained recognition abroad over the past few years. "It might just be a matter of time before even more Chinese brands become globally recognisable," Yang said. TikTok effect Through viral exports like Labubu, China is "undergoing a soft-power shift where its products and image are increasingly cool among young Westerners," said Allison Malmsten, an analyst at China-based Daxue Consulting. Malmsten said she believed social media could boost China's global image "similar to that of Japan in the 80s to 2010s with Pokemon and Nintendo". Video app TikTok -- designed by China's ByteDance -- paved the way for Labubu's ascent when it became the first Chinese-branded product to be indispensable for young people internationally. Joshua Kurlantzick from the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) told AFP that "TikTok probably played a role in changing consumers' minds about China". TikTok, which is officially blocked within China but still accessible with VPN software, has over one billion users, including what the company says is nearly half of the US population. The app has become a focus of national security fears in the United States, with a proposed ban seeing American TikTok users flock to another Chinese app, Rednote, where they were welcomed as digital "refugees". A conduit for Chinese social media memes and fashion trends, TikTok hosts over 1.7 million videos about Labubu. Labubumania Cultural exports can "improve the image of China as a place that has companies that can produce globally attractive goods or services", CFR's Kurlantzick told AFP. "I don't know how much, if at all, this impacts images of China's state or government," he said, pointing to how South Korea's undeniable soft power has not translated into similar levels of political might. While plush toys alone might not translate into actual power, the United States' chaotic global image under the Trump presidency could benefit perceptions of China, the University of Maryland's Yang said. "The connection many make between the seeming decline of US soft power and the potential rise in China's global image may reflect how deeply intertwined the two countries are in the minds of people whose lives are impacted by both simultaneously," she told AFP. At the very least, Labubu's charms appear to be promoting interest in China among the younger generation. "It's like a virus. Everyone just wants it," Kazakhstani mother-of-three Anelya Batalova told AFP at Pop Mart's theme park in Beijing. Qatari Maryam Hammadi, 11, posed for photos in front of a giant Labubu statue. "In our country, they love Labubu," she said. "So, when they realise that the origin of Labubu is in China, they'd like to come to see the different types of Labubu in China."

Campaign ME

2 days ago

• Campaign ME

Ranveer Singh enters the chat to promote Experience Abu Dhabi

Experience Abu Dhabi has launched a campaign targeting Indian travellers, starring Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh and set entirely within the familiar digital setting of a family WhatsApp group chat. The campaign brings to life a behavioural truth: most Indian family holidays begin not at a travel agency or with a Google search – but with a message to the family group. With more than 500 million active users, India is WhatsApp's largest market globally, making it a natural storytelling platform for the campaign's concept. The campaign was developed by Serviceplan Middle East and produced by Déjà vu. It was supported by Spark Foundry, Ogilvy India and Memac Ogilvy. The video opens with Singh seated at a family dining table, excitedly announcing a holiday in Abu Dhabi. One by one, other family members begin to appear – both at the table and in the group chat – mirroring the way Indian families often plan trips through emojis, voice notes, and back-and-forth banter. Characters include a tech-challenged auntie who's always typing but never sending, a good-morning-forwarding uncle, and the younger, Gen Z cousins with cool filters and hotter takes. As each character weighs in, scenes shift fluidly from chat to real-world, showcasing what Abu Dhabi has to offer for every family member – from luxury shopping and theme parks to street food and serene beaches. The film closes with a cheerful CTA from Singh: 'Habibis, so when are you going to Abu Dhabi?' Beyond the film, the campaign extended into digital touchpoints with custom WhatsApp sticker packs featuring Ranveer Singh in playful poses and travel-themed captions like 'Flight mode: on' and 'No kaam, only araam. #InAbuDhabi.' These stickers were designed to organically integrate into Indian WhatsApp conversations, reinforcing both recall and relatability. 'A family holiday is not an easy agreement. Options are proposed, drafted like resolutions, debated in group chats, amended mid-call, and sometimes vetoed by the youngest delegate with the biggest opinions,' said Sajju Ambat, Director of Creative Strategy and Insights. The Ranveer Singh campaign recorded over 143 million impressions, 18.5 million video views, and 254,000 engagements across digital and social channels – highlighting the value of insight-led, culturally resonant creative in travel marketing. Credits Agency – Serviceplan Middle East Executive Creative Director: Nishant Shah Creative Director: Andre Couto Associate Creative Director: Kunal Gagwani Copywriter – Mariyam Maroof Senior Producer: Geetika Sood Junior Production Manager: Saquib Wakankar Business Director: Solange Constantin Account Manager: Mohamad Saboury Production House – Déjà vu Executive Producer – Manasvi Gosalia Head of Production – Kavya Iyer Producer – Nadine Gibbs Head of Postproduction – Rafic Sawaya Post Producer – Adnan Plummer Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi H.E. Nouf Mohamed Al-Boushelaibi – Executive Director of Strategic Marketing & Communications at The Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi Imane Zebrini – Special Projects Lead, Strategic Communications Department Kenneth Daniel Monis – Acting Destination Marketing Section Head Ghadeer Khub – Creative & Production Department Director at The Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi Emma Campbell – Sector Marketing Director and Acting Director of Strategic Communications at The Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi Nada Assaf – Campaigns Section Head at The Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi Mohamed ElShorafa – Campaigns Unit Head at The Department at The Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi Zain Variawa – Acting Media Planning Unit Head Ady Badawi – Media Planning Specialist Nishita Virkar – Consumer Communications Section Head Muhimma Alriyami – Consumer PR Specialist Spark Foundry Skander Naaman – Media Manager Asad Khan – Senior Executive Anilyn Abitria – Media Executive Anees Abdul Rehman – Senior Executive Frankie Warren – Senior Media Manager Vedrana Strong – Associate Business Director Ogilvy India Arneeta Vasudeva – National Head – PR & Influence Nakul Sagar – Partner – PR & Influence Hetika Gala – Associate Partner – PR & Influence Laksh Kapri – Sr. Consultant – PR & Influence Memac Ogilvy Sarah Edwards – Managing Partner Lameez Mohd – Senior Account Director Mina Kiwan – Media Relations Director Zainab Damji – Senior English Editor Aamina Mohamed – Senior Account Manager Rami Farrah – Senior Account Executive Nayla Ibrahim – Account Executive

Emirates Woman

2 days ago

• Emirates Woman

24 elevated high street suede bags from Dhs299 to shop right now

Quietly luxe and seasonally right, sumptuous suede bags are having a moment on and off the runways. From Bottega's slouchy shoulder styles to Chloé's boho-western revival, Spring/Summer 2025 proved one thing: suede is no longer reserved for your autumn archive. It's tactile, tonal, and surprisingly versatile—especially when softened into softly structured totes, buttery mini bags, and drawstring slings. While designer labels made a strong case for suede's elevated appeal (see Loewe's earthy Puzzle iterations), it's the high street that's translated the look with equal flair and without the four-figure price tag. Massimo Dutti's ruched bag, Zara's sand-toned bucket, and Mango's pared-back crossbody in mocha brown offer that same tactile richness with a minimalist lens. With its plush nap and lived-in feel, suede strikes a balance between Y2k nostalgia and newness, and anchors the quiet luxury aesthetic without the heavy logos. How to wear suede for summer? Offset its texture heaviness with lightweight fabrications – think linen co-ords, crochet dresses, or breezy tunics for the day. Come nighttime, contrast textures: a strappy silk slip or a semi-sheer maxi feels instantly cooler with a buttery suede clutch tucked in the crook of your arm. Colour-wise, lean into summer-friendly tones such as buttermilk, terracotta, clay, or a dusty green. These shades not only wear beautifully under the sun but transition effortlessly into early fall. Whether you're drawn to bohemian touches, clean Scandinavian lines, or a hint of equestrian flair, the high street's suede bag edit delivers. Consider it your soft-power move for the season—and beyond. Scroll through the gallery below for 24 of the best high street suede bags for 2025: – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram Images: @hoskelsa