“Money Talks, Wealth Whispers” – All The Quiet Luxury Brands that are Actually Worth Your Penny

“Quiet luxury” and “old money” are terms that have been circulating through the social media platforms a lot lately. But why is everyone all of a sudden so drawn to this luxurious aesthetic? For some, it’s a sense of nostalgia, for others – an aspiration. It’s no secret that vintage fashion has been making a tremendous comeback thanks to A-listers such as Bella Hadid and Hailey Bieber, so it was only a matter of time for the rest of us to catch up with the craze. The old money Princess Diana aesthetic is something that at this point we’re probably all very familiar with, however, the realm of luxurious sub-cultures goes way deeper than that. On the other side of the ring, we have the stealth wealth brands vastly popularized by the HBO series “Succession” also known as quiet luxury. Now the question in place is – what’s the difference between the two terms, and why have these brands suddenly become so influential? Learn about this global fashion phenomenon and the most influential quiet luxury brands at the moment below!

Quiet Luxury vs. Old Money – What’s the Difference?

Statistics show that during times of economic instability people start to wear more modest clothes – women’s skirts get longer, the heels get shorter and the garments’ color scheme is predominantly consisted of nudes and muted tones. When a recession occurs, the rich swiftly shift from flaunting big logos to adopting the style of the lower-class people, which subsequently leads to the attempt of the masses to imitate the style of the wealthy. But how does this phenomenon manifest in our lives right now?

The old money aesthetic is Gen Z’s approach to mimicking the style of high-class people who come from a lineage of generational wealth. Anything Ralph Lauren, Lacoste, or fashion inspo derived from the closet of Princess Diana is considered “old money”. Preppy outfits with a minimalistic look, clean lines, and flattering silhouettes made from organic fabrics are what this whole wealth-inspired appearance is all about.

Quiet luxury clothing embodies the energy of the type of garments that simply look expensive based on no apparent reason. It’s something in the silhouette, the tactile fabrics, and the way it hugs the body that oozes class and wealth. It’s simple and minimalistic yet incredibly refined and the most important detail – completely lacking any logos. You know the famous saying “Money talks, wealth whispers” – that’s the kind of feeling that quiet luxury emulates.

Quiet Luxury Brands

Brands that fall under the label of “quiet luxury” distinguish themselves from their competitors on the market through supremely high-quality fabrics, unique craftsmanship, signature silhouettes, and logo-free designs. However, all these premium quality garments that the brands produce have a premium price tag, too. The upside – this is a long-term investment in slow fashion that you’re going to be able to enjoy for generations to come. Let’s take a look at some of the trendiest quiet luxury brands at the moment that are worth every penny!

Proenza Schouler

Born in New York in 2002, Proenza Schouler is a luxury brand that is characterized by an intricate interplay of refined silhouettes, artisan craftsmanship, and supreme attention to detail. To quote the founders of the brand, Proenza Schouler makes garments for “the intelligent, adult, urban woman of today”.

Lanvin

The fashion house of Lanvin was founded in Paris in 1889 and to this day this is the oldest French fashion brand that still operates under the same liaison. Famously known for their distinct embroidery and intricate trimmings, the company’s signature designs and artistry have become a standard in French luxury fashion.

The Row

The humble beginnings of this brand can be traced all the way back to 2005 when Ashley Olsen took upon herself the task of designing the perfect T-shirt. A year later the Olsen Twins established The Row. Ever since then their brand has become a staple for luxurious capsule fashion and elevated basics which are the modern epitome of “quiet luxury”.

Max Mara

Established in 1951 in Italy, Max Mara’s ethos is inspired by exquisite tailoring techniques that have been passed down from generation to generation. Achille Maramotti, the founder of the brand, had one aim when he established the brand – to create a luxury fashion line that embodies the energy of the authentic, divine feminine.

Brunello Cucinelli

The famously proclaimed “king of cashmere”, Brunello Cucinelli started his luxury fashion house in 1978. Amongst one of the most expensive quiet luxury brands on the market, the products under the Cucinelli label are made out of fabrics of utmost quality and produced entirely by hand!

Hermès

Probably the most famous of the quiet luxury brands is Hermes. It was founded in 1837 by Thierry Hermes in Paris and originally functioned as a harness workshop and a distributor of saddles and other riding equipment for the European market. Almost a century later, Hermes introduced on the market the first gold jacket made out of leather which is what brought tremendous fame and success to the fashion house. The unique thing about the House of Hermes is that almost every garment and accessory under their label is manufactured locally in France and entirely by hand, which adds incomparable value to their products.

Bottega Veneta

Bottega Veneta is a luxury fashion house established in 1966 in Vicenza, Italy. They are most famously known for their unique signature weaving technique through which they create a woven leather pattern called ‘intrecciato’.

Jil Sander

A staple name in minimalist fashion, Jil Sander found her fashion house in 1968 in Hamburg, Germany. Even though the brand was acquired by Prada in 1999, it wasn’t long after that when Jil Sander decided to change ownership due to creative differences. Currently, her label is one of the most prominent influences on high-end modern fashion that intertwines elegance and simplicity like no other!

Khaite

Founded only in 2016, Khaite has been gradually growing in popularity and is currently one of the most sought luxury labels from names like Meghan Markle, Hailey Bieber, Katie Holmes, and many others. This New York-based fashion house embodies the aura of the modern, forward-thinking woman that isn’t afraid to make a statement wherever she goes!

Erdem

With Timeless silhouettes, undeniably powerful yet elegant and feminine, the poetic approach of Erdem Moralioglu towards fashion has won him well-deserved admiration over the last 18 years. The brand experiments boldly with patterns and textiles which has proven itself as a successful formula for the creation of a modern classic fashion brand!

Read also: 7 Old Money Shoes Designs That Have ”Generational Wealth” Written All Over Them