princess eugenie and beatrice are prime examples of old money style aka no style. truly hideous outfits on display at every turn. Princess Diana truly is the exception not the rule when it comes to old money style
this reminds me of the manicure discourse. Old Money TikTok suggests you get french tips. Old Money Women often seem to opt for no polish at all, or no-polish polish, but if you try to copy that look and come up short it doesn't read as "effortlessly chic" so much as "effortlessly hobo"
God you are so so right. The look these guys are going for is absolutely nothing like my experience of old money. My aunt used to day “the scrappiest man in the room is usually the richest” and she is absolutely right. 40 year old Barbours, jeans that look like they’ve been through a lawn mower (or chinos that look like their mum bought them, because they did) and the shoes… wow. Threadbare ralph lauren cable knits are also a must. But then there’s the jewellery - the solid gold pinky ring with the family crest. For women thats usually accompanied by gold necklaces you could use to secure a boat in place. I could go on.
The skin is also a good indication. Old money does take care of the body, but subtly. Nice skin, soft hands, understated but very expensive jewelry/watches. The worn out clothing is top brand. Yep. I live among them as a poor person. The thrift store is amazing, though, because new money is a little more carefree and clean out their closets fairly often. Then there is the occasional Bohemian who is all scarves and mismatched, loud clothing. Heh.
Fun article. Old money style in New England where I live, is super boring, even shabby looking (without trying to be-they just wear high quality clothing forever. Not trendy either). This also includes the cars they drive and how their homes are decorated. The only real “giveaway” is that their understated homes sit on incredibly beautiful and expensive lots in amazing areas/towns. And their cars are generally not new, just high quality and based on their lifestyle, not what people would consider to be fancy. I love it.
In the early 2000s, I was acquainted with a Vanderbilt descendant. She was in her mid40s. She wore cotton shirtwaist dresses - the kind that buttoned to the waist, with a buckled belt in matching fabric, short sleeves. I often wondered where, in The Year of Our Lord 2003, one could even acquire such a dress.
This may not be the best look of Charlotte Casiraghi, granted, but she is usually rather well dressed in a very Parisian, understated way and has a good sense of style, both when dressing casually and for formal events.
I find that what Americans in particular think is 'old money', is actually just rich European. You can tell how old money (British) someone is by how cold their house is. There will be paintings of ancestors on the wall that are worth more than a car, but zero central heating. If there is an Hermes anywhere, it probably came handed down from a slightly glamourous Great Aunt, and may have some dog biscuits in the bottom. The TikTok girlies would shudder at the thought.
old money seems to be about the same thing as coastal grandma. A lot of linen, belts, sweaters, comfortable shoes. I mean I'm fine with coastal grandmother but....
princess eugenie and beatrice are prime examples of old money style aka no style. truly hideous outfits on display at every turn. Princess Diana truly is the exception not the rule when it comes to old money style
this reminds me of the manicure discourse. Old Money TikTok suggests you get french tips. Old Money Women often seem to opt for no polish at all, or no-polish polish, but if you try to copy that look and come up short it doesn't read as "effortlessly chic" so much as "effortlessly hobo"
Yes! CHH has a great post about it https://www.cartoonshateher.com/p/you-look-better-when-you-try-hard
ooh yes this is exactly the sort of thing I was thinking of!
Rich people have delusional ideas about how the poor live and the poor have their own deluded fantasies about the lives of the rich.
Old money has nothing to prove, no need to impress. Comfort is key.
I don't understand this obsession with trying to look rich. Why don't we aim to look interesting instead?
God you are so so right. The look these guys are going for is absolutely nothing like my experience of old money. My aunt used to day “the scrappiest man in the room is usually the richest” and she is absolutely right. 40 year old Barbours, jeans that look like they’ve been through a lawn mower (or chinos that look like their mum bought them, because they did) and the shoes… wow. Threadbare ralph lauren cable knits are also a must. But then there’s the jewellery - the solid gold pinky ring with the family crest. For women thats usually accompanied by gold necklaces you could use to secure a boat in place. I could go on.
The skin is also a good indication. Old money does take care of the body, but subtly. Nice skin, soft hands, understated but very expensive jewelry/watches. The worn out clothing is top brand. Yep. I live among them as a poor person. The thrift store is amazing, though, because new money is a little more carefree and clean out their closets fairly often. Then there is the occasional Bohemian who is all scarves and mismatched, loud clothing. Heh.
Fun article. Old money style in New England where I live, is super boring, even shabby looking (without trying to be-they just wear high quality clothing forever. Not trendy either). This also includes the cars they drive and how their homes are decorated. The only real “giveaway” is that their understated homes sit on incredibly beautiful and expensive lots in amazing areas/towns. And their cars are generally not new, just high quality and based on their lifestyle, not what people would consider to be fancy. I love it.
In the early 2000s, I was acquainted with a Vanderbilt descendant. She was in her mid40s. She wore cotton shirtwaist dresses - the kind that buttoned to the waist, with a buckled belt in matching fabric, short sleeves. I often wondered where, in The Year of Our Lord 2003, one could even acquire such a dress.
Same shop as Kirsty Allsop. Those terrible dresses!!!
I think people trying to create old money aesthetic are just trying to dress like the cast of Succession.
This may not be the best look of Charlotte Casiraghi, granted, but she is usually rather well dressed in a very Parisian, understated way and has a good sense of style, both when dressing casually and for formal events.
The references themselves show the dissonance people experience with this aesthetic and reality.
I think shopping for fantasy is maybe a more common issue given how little people want to/can actually do these days.
I find that what Americans in particular think is 'old money', is actually just rich European. You can tell how old money (British) someone is by how cold their house is. There will be paintings of ancestors on the wall that are worth more than a car, but zero central heating. If there is an Hermes anywhere, it probably came handed down from a slightly glamourous Great Aunt, and may have some dog biscuits in the bottom. The TikTok girlies would shudder at the thought.
Trying to ape Old Money is an exercise in futility, like arguing with the Pope.
lol 😂 🙏🏻
old money seems to be about the same thing as coastal grandma. A lot of linen, belts, sweaters, comfortable shoes. I mean I'm fine with coastal grandmother but....