When a lot of people think of high fashion or luxury fashion they often imagine someone bedecked in ostentatious designer labels, but this isn’t true luxury fashion. Often the entry-level products from a luxury brand will be covered in logos and identifiers like a specific print or pattern that allow the consumer to feel like they are part of that brand’s exclusive club. Contrarily, the wealthiest people wear clothing with no logos or identifiers at all. That doesn’t mean that you will find these people nabbing the latest Target drop or basic tees from Wal-Mart. They are often buying quiet luxury.
What Is Quiet Luxury?
Quiet luxury is where the luxury aspect comes in the form of buying incredibly high-quality materials construction and reputation. It is a fashion concept that emphasizes subtlety, understated elegance, and minimalist aesthetics. It’s about achieving a luxurious look without being too flashy or over-the-top. This trend is gaining traction as people are moving away from loud and showy designs and embracing a more refined and sophisticated style.
What Are The Elements of Quiet Luxury?
Quiet luxury is all about simplicity and elegance. The clothes are usually made from high-quality materials and are well-tailored to fit perfectly. The colors are muted, and the designs are understated, with little to no embellishments. The focus is on the quality of the fabric, the cut, and the craftsmanship. The accessories are also simple, usually made from high-quality materials such as leather or precious metals. The idea is to achieve a sophisticated look without drawing too much attention. Items that adhere to this design philosophy feel incredible to the touch, are made to stand the test of time, and are amazing to wear.
Why is This Trend So Popular Now?
There are likely two driving factors for this trend being all over the place now. The first is the current state of the economy and the second is the fashion displayed in HBO’s hit show Succession
As for the current state of the economy, in times of economic uncertainty, people may feel more cautious about displaying their wealth and prefer to be more discreet about their spending. The trend towards sustainable and ethical fashion has also led to a preference for well-made, long-lasting pieces that are not necessarily overtly expensive or showy, but are still of high quality and timeless in design.
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In Succession, the characters wear inconspicuous clothing that is only identifiable to people in the circles of the elite. There is nothing remarkable about Kendall Roy’s Maison Margiela t-shirts from the look alone, but the quality is in the craftsmanship. The same can be said of the $625 black Loro Piana baseball caps the entire Roy clan wears. You can get a less expensive option with the brand’s logo on it further emphasizing the lowered barrier to entry to the “exclusive club” those in the know are part of. Arguably, attempting to buy your way into the circles of the upper echelons of society with easy-to-acquire signifiers of supposed wealth is the fastest way to have those doors shut in your face – as highlighted in the “ludicrously capacious” Burberry bag worn by Greg’s date.
You can assume that everything the characters wear costs hundreds or thousands of dollars because quiet luxury is both unassuming and unattainable. It rejects the desire to show off big logos and instead appeals to the sentiment of “if you know, you know.”
What Are Some Quiet Luxury Brands?
In recent years, many fashion brands have embraced the quiet luxury trend. In fact, they have staked their entire reputation on it. Some notable examples include The Row, Loro Piana, Brunello Cucinelli, Khatie, Jil Sander, and Celine. These brands have been creating clothes and accessories that embody the quiet luxury philosophy of focusing on high-quality materials, minimalist designs, and understated elegance. We will likely be able to add Phoebe Philo to this conversation soon as she was the creative director at Celine and recently branched out to create her own line.
Quiet luxury is a sartorial style and lifestyle that celebrates the importance of refinement, elegance, and sophistication. By focusing on quality pieces that seamlessly blend into your overall wardrobe and style, you will often find that you will consume less over time. Though not the most attainable form of personal style, by embracing quiet luxury you too can achieve a sophisticated and refined look that’s both timeless and elegant.
