THE OLD MONEY STYLE ICONS TO TAKE OUTFIT INSPIRATION FROM THIS AUTUMN
As the seasons shift and our wardrobes require a refresh, it’s always wise to eschew the latest flash-in-the-pan fads. Instead, find timeless inspiration from vintage pin-ups and “old money” style icons.
What was once known as “classic” style has been rebranded as the “old money” look – now an aspirational lifestyle and fashion aesthetic spotted across social media. Beyond TikTok tutorials telling one how to “cultivate grace” or reminding Gen Z that punctuality is polite, leaning into old money fashion simply means focusing on enduring style staples in quality fabrics.
Old money style harks back to an age that valued timeless silhouettes and a palette of neutral shades, but no fashion moment ever exists in isolation. “In a world where we are constantly being told to consume more, change trends but also keep up, there is something very grounding about Old Money style that takes the sting out of the pace of life,” says Lady Alice Manners, stylist and host of Dukie Tours on TikTok.
The inherent longevity in a design classic ensures it will remain in your wardrobe for decades ahead, yet never look retro. According to Camilla Morton, author of Red Carpet Legends, “Luxury is not about flaunting your wealth. It’s understated elegance and not needing brash, branded pieces”.
Look beyond one-season-wonders and meet the old money style icons that still inspire the fashion world today.
Grace Kelly
1. The Midi Hudson, £495 at DeMellie; 2. Camden tote bag, £134.95 at Pom Pom London; 3. Windsor bag, £435 at Fairfax & Favor; 4. Amberley bag, £1095, at Mulberry
Instead of a revolving door of it bags on your arm, take a tip from Grace Kelly and settle on a signature style that works with every outfit you own. Your go-to bag doesn’t have to be an eponymously named Hermès bag, as with Princess Grace’s own Kelly style, but echo the enduring elegance of the Kelly with a neat, structured shape. A bag with pared back design, a practical handle and restrained colour will last for decades. Highlighter brights, a cacophony of bag charms or studs may be fun, but they aren’t appropriate for the Old Money look.
Nan Kempner
1. Blazer, £298, and skirt, £158, at Reiss; 2. Blazer, £350, and trousers, £250, at ME+EM
According to Lady Alice, “Old school style is always tailored beautifully and… fitted to perfection.” New York socialite Nan Kempner, who acquired one of the largest private couture collections in America, showcased the benefits of impeccable cut on several occasions. To get the look today? “The key to a good outfit… is all about balance. Balance the colours, the lengths, the layers,” says Lady Alice.
Tailoring a modern find to perfection will also allow you to have a bespoke-looking item for little more than the price of a high street style. Immaculately tailored pieces ensure you command attention in any situation, something which was second nature to the Old Money cohort.
Audrey Hepburn
1. Pleated cotton-blend poplin dress, £275 at Staud; 2. Buttoned midi dress,£130 at Massimo Dutti; 3. Satin dress, £149 at Nobody’s Child; 4. Jacquard midi dress, £230 at Diish
Although her character of Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s was the patron saint of the LBD, art imitated life and Audrey Hepburn wore the iconic style in her off-screen outfits too. For the old money set, simplicity is everything, particularly when it comes to evening-wear. Extraneous ruffles and embellishment skew towards excess – the antithesis of quiet luxury – while bold colour can look vulgar.
Instead, unadorned black is the ultimate foil for the family diamonds, or a little sparkling something from Accessorize, as the budget allows. Stylist Hannah Teare points out that, happily, “most brands have a version of the old money look, so we can all find the style at any price point.”
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
1. Double-breasted coat, £799 at Holland Cooper; 2. Belted coat, £650 at Weekend Max Mara; 3. Oversized coat, £249, COS; 4. Longline coat, £299 at Jaeger
The camel coat is an essential foundation piece as we move towards cooler weather. For the seemingly endless months that you will wear it, buying a coat that won’t bore you is essential. A garish check, an eye-aching bright or a lairy floral may work for a micro-moment in high fashion land, but the camel coat is a style that will never wane in appeal.
Lady Alice advises that “a great midi coat” is a key piece to achieve old money elegance. “You can chuck it over everything (even your modern-day gym kit!) and it transforms a look.” While it may seem a little early to invest in outerwear, the way in which fashion deliveries drop throughout the season mean if you leave it until the first cold snap, the best pieces will be long gone.
Carolyn Bessette Kennedy
1. Signature shirt, £395 at Knatchbull; 2. Cotton-rich collared fitted shirt, £18 at M&S; 3. The Classic in fine poplin, £110 at WNU; 4. Slim-fit stretch cotton shirt, £165 at Ralph Lauren
In keeping with the eternal elegance that old money style emphasises, the white shirt is an essential element. It’s a brilliant daytime option and brings polish to jeans and casual chinos, but Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s unique take was to team her white shirt with a black-tie ball skirt. Despite having endless trust funds to plunder, old money icons always pick versatile pieces that earn their keep in their wardrobes.
Always choose natural fibres (synthetics are not synonymous with old money chic) and search out the best quality you can find. Note that cotton and silk mixes are beautifully languid, twill has a pleasing heft to the fabric while poplin is both crisp and lightweight.
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CZ Guest
1. Correns cashmere jumper in wisteria, £100 at Palome; 2. Cashmere crew neck jumper, £129 at Uniqlo; 3. Allude V-neck jumper, £215 at Net-A-Porter; 4. Crew neck jumper, £225 at Rise & Fall
Perfectly draping a jumper over your shoulders is a skill the old money crew seem to learn before they can walk, but it’s not unattainable for the hoi polloi. Choose a lighter-weight knit, then fold the collar under so it makes a smooth line when you lay it over your shoulders. Next, make a knotted loop with one cuff, then pass the other sleeve through it to secure without bulk. Teare suggests cashmere is a key fabric to create the Old Money look. “I specifically love cashmere’s texture, which takes on the density of colour pigment so well and looks particularly expensive.”
Diana, Princess of Wales
1. Abigail jeans, £450 at Khaite; 2. 501 jeans, £50 down from £100, Levi’s; 3. Mid-rise jeans, £24.99 down from £48 at Topshop; 4. Snow straight jeans, £85 at Arket
From workwear staple to Royal-approved essential, jeans have had a dizzying ascent since their Wild West origins. “Princess Diana gently pushed boundaries by wearing denim,” says Camilla Morton. “She mixed status with accessibility through style and wore what ‘we’ wore.”
But which washes and silhouettes are the most appropriate for the old money look? Low-cut hipsters and bedazzled denim are not right. While barrel jeans are a contemporary choice, Morton continues, “Certain leg cuts can date your denim (but) the original Levi’s 501 jean, much like a well cut tuxedo or Savile Row suit, never goes out of style.”
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