How to Style an Old Money Beach Outfit for a High-Class Summer Vacation?

Summer is just around the corner, and most of us are probably already in the process of putting away all the chunky sweaters and slowly starting to plan out our summer capsule wardrobe. I can’t lie, I love a good floral dress and a pair of a basic white tee and denim shorts, they’ve served me pretty well over the years. However, as I’m getting older I can feel my sense of style maturing as well, and let me tell you – the transitioning period is not easy! I’ve been on the hunt for finding my grown-up summer aesthetic for quite a while now – something elegant, yet effortless that I can comfortably wear in the city as well as on the beach, or a yacht if the economy allows it. If you’re someone like me who spends the majority of their time-consuming pop culture and analyzing the latest fashion trends based on TikToks and Instagram Reels, you’ve probably stumbled upon something called “old money fashion”.  If you don’t know what that is, it’s basically Princess Diana’s street style in a nutshell – simple, elegant, timeless. Let’s see how we can take the “old money” fashion staples and incorporate them into our beach outfits, so we too can look like an upper-class Princess on a vacation.

What are “Old Money” Clothes?

Let’s begin by clarifying the actual definition of “old money. ” It refers to generational wealth that has been accumulating through generations, providing a high-class lifestyle for its heirs. So how does that translate into fashion? Old money fashion is characterized by high-quality fabrics, good tailoring, pastel tones, and classic patterns, such as classic white and blue stripes and polka dots. Since the clothes are usually quite simple, accessories play a huge role in the styling process. Pearls, gold jewelry, and a fashionable pair of sunglasses are some of the most common fashion accents of the old money aesthetic.

Old Money Beach Outfits That Will Make You Look Effortlessly Rich

When building your upper-class capsule collection, there are a few key components that you need to keep in mind:

• Color Scheme – White, beige, and brown lay at the base of minimalist, timeless outfits. They are unpretentious, easy to style, and simply never go out of style due to their versatility. Pastel blue, pink, and yellow are also great for when you want to add a little bit of contrast and character to your outfit.
• Jewelry – Pearls are undeniably the loudest way to scream “old money” through quiet luxury. If that’s not really your cup of tea, there are great alternative ways to incorporate them into your looks through hair accessories or even nail art. Gold jewelry is another definite must that immediately elevates even the most simple of outfits. Add a pair of chunky gold earrings, a nice vintage gold necklace, or layers of gold rings in different designs to your look, and you’ll instantly feel like a few zeros just got added to your bank account.
• Fabrics –  Wealthy people don’t make compromises with quality. When shopping for your “old money” wardrobe, look for clothes made with organic fabrics such as linen, cotton, wool, or hemp.

Now that we’ve laid down the basics, here are some old money beach outfit ideas to try out this summer.

Business Casual Old Money Beach Outfit

The beach can get quite chilly at times, so instead of wearing just a basic hoodie or sweater, opt for a more stylish outwear garment, like this satin off-white blazer. It works especially well in combination with a linen scarf in matching colors tied around your waist as a skirt. Finish off the look by adding a pair of tortoiseshell sunglasses, which are one of the trendiest sunglasses designs for 2023.

60s Silk Headscarf

Enter your “White Lotus” era with an effortless La dolce vita look combining a pair of classic high-waisted beige linen shorts, a full-body black swimsuit (which is a great alternative to tops in the summer that keeps you beach-ready at all times), and a classy silk headscarf that’s not only going to make you look like a million bucks but will also protect your beautiful head from the heat.

Make Room for Large Brim Straw Hats

Straw hats are an absolute beach essential regardless of someone’s social class, however, we’re going to show you how to style them the “old money” way! A good old pair of black high-waisted bikinis are an absolute must-have in every woman’s closet. They not only accentuate your forms, but are also a timeless classic that will never fail in making you look incredibly stylish (and comfortable) at the beach. To elevate the look, you can add a white v-neck cropped shirt with puff sleeves – this silhouette is less office style and more casual chic. For the straw hat, we suggest that you choose one with a structured wide brim instead of a floppy one, which is a much-preferred silhouette for designer brands, as well.

The Grace Kelly of Swimwear

This black and white bikini set with high-waisted bottoms and a vest-like button-down top looks like it’s taken straight out of a 60s movie. It’s perfectly tailored to hug your curves and takes swimwear fashion to a whole different ballpark with its elegant design. Take things up a notch by accessorizing with layers of chunky pearls, and it’s guaranteed that you’ll be the most stylish fashionista at the beach this summer.

More “Old Money” Beach Outfit Ideas To Try Out This Summer

Belted Short Sleeve Vest with a Bucket Hat

Style a Cable Knit Sweater with a Backward Baseball Cap Like Lady Diana 

Get to the Beach in a Breezy White Linen Dress Paired with Rectangular Neon Sunglasses 

Shades of Brown and Rattan for a Soft Monochromatic “Old Money” Look

Party Up with an All White Silk Suit, Patterned Silk Headscarf, and Trendy Flat Top Square Aviator Sunglasses

Channel Your Inner Goddess with a Classic Black Full Body Swimsuit and Chunky Gold Jewelry

Credits: Zara