This quiet luxury trend is delving into respectability politics - ppl are completely ignoring that Sofia was already wealthy (like her father is literally THE Lionel Richie)

The quiet luxury discourse shows that we’re officially in a recession.

It's worth mentioning that very wealthy people often don't want to advertise their wealth. There are far more billionaires that we don't know about than do, and that's because they choose to be anonymous, and arguably for good reason. But let's be honest, you can't allow a magazine to cover your wedding, presumably for a generous fee, and claim that you're not trying to flaunt your wealth. It seems like they're clearly flaunting their wealth while trying to use the aesthetic of 'old money' to give themselves some sort of credibility and distance themselves from the attention seeking that they're clearly engaging in.

It’s the way Elliot was a childhood friend of Sofia, like it’s not the same. You need money to be in these circles 😂

“As of late, hoards of people on TikTok, despite having no money to hide, are set on emulating the stealth wealth aesthetic.” 😂😂😂

I always wondered how it is quiet luxury when we can clearly tell from the amount of money they spend, the mode of transport they use, and their access to luxury buildings/events. It's not quiet at all, boiling it all down to just their fashion is limited.

The whole fetish for wealthy people while people can barely afford their rent is bizarre. 😐 I can understand escapism. But only for fictional tv, not for real life people.

Honestly not having TikTok and learning about TikTok drama via KZfaq is elite, would recommend

Sofia Richie is a horrible example of "quiet luxury" how is she quiet when she made a big deal about her wedding and she;s now on TikTok having her husband do makeup voiceovers?

Had a finance teacher who was this really sweet guy who worked to deliver expensive brands their clothing. He told us one main thing, the clothes that come from top brands and clothes that come from standard brands come from the exact same factory

ten years ago i was like "ugh look at the cardashians, that's so awful, proper rich people don't dress like that", now i'm like "i don't care if you're stealthy or flashy, all rich people are perfectly edible" and that's radicalisation for you

I think it is important to recognize the cycle of new money BECOMING old money. For example, it is named in the video that the Rockerfellers and Kennedys are examples of old money, but the Rockerfellers were viewed as new money when they came on the elite social scene (ie. Gilded Age) and even at the height of the Rockerfeller fortune (1910s), they were still seen as new money. We only see them as old money now. The Kennedy fortune was a product of an illegal bootleg alcohol operation during prohibition (think Great Gatsby). Even in the 50s and 60s (their peak moment in American culture), the Kennedys were NOT viewed as old money. They were seen as modern, cool, and fresh. It is only now that we see their style as classic and timeless. Our PERCEPTION has changed, but we act as if our perception now is the reality that has always existed and that is incorrect. If history has taught us anything is that the cycle will continue. A new money fortune is being built at this very moment that will last for generations to come, and then in 50+ years people will look back and say, "That family is old money and so classic! They have always dressed so timeless and classic." Even though right now we think those same people from new money look trashy. Today's Tiktok influencer could be the next John D. Rockefeller...as cringey as it is.

"Maybe just maybe, rich people wear boring clothing because they are boring people" is actually hilarious, put it on a t-shirt pls x

You know the saying 'If you can't beat them, join them'? Well it seems GenZ and the youngest millenials have realized they cannot eat the rich afterall. So they're going to join them the only way they can, which is emulating their fashion choices, or lack thereof.

I just started the video, and i just had to comment on how gen z regards sophia richie as the epitomy of 'stealth wealth' when literally the entire wedding affair and honeymoon have been documented for the entire world to see. Like girl thats the opposite of quiet 😂 from my perspective, it actually seemed kind of tacky, the need to let the world know the wedding was basically sponsored by vogue and chanel, and showing off the whole affair from a to z, knowing that girlie can probably afford her own luxury wedding but chose not to.

It's impossible for me to express just how much I hate TikTok.

The nerve of thinking that dressing as old money is something to be proud of is so icky, like dress how you want to dress, not how you think you should dress, there’s not better or worse in terms of style, the need of being better, being more classy, more subdued because you’re of high status is such a medieval way of thinking also this video says it all, they are LOUD, these people are just so convinced that old money are better than us they seek to emulate it but we will not be seen as equals to them like ever. I’m not saying that is something wrong to dressing like this if you like it, my problem is how tik tok paints this style as more elevated than the rest just because

I still can't believe my eyes whenever I see people trying to align themselves with nepotism and inherited wealth online. I thought we were eating the rich 3 years ago fam?!

"Old money" sounds so funny to me. Like, people think the 19th century is old? I live in Europe and my brother's friend who lives nearby resides in his family's ancestral home built in the 1600's. His whole family are lovely and really down to earth. Everything they own is of the best quality, very classic cuts that will wear well. They mostly spend money on education, their property and maintaining their giant ass house. When you're truly old money, the house owns you.

The wealthiest personal friend I ever had (private jet multi millionaire family in agriculture and shipment 🤑) wore TJ Max, J Crew and maybe a little bit of Gap everywhere. Sometimes the “old money” plain aesthetic is also just plain, not even overly expensive. It was her jewelry that clued you in when you actually paid attention to it.

There's a book on my reading list called Chromophobia that's supposed be about why modern wealth despises colorful items. Good video!

For those prices, there better be 0.0% exploitation of humans during the making of them. They better compensate for any CO2 emissions 10-fold, and the leather better be from animals that got to live the most amazing lives before being slaughtered, because at that price-range there's literally no excuse for anything less than stellar treatment of everyone involved.

Interesting take on quiet luxury. In my country, I think one of the reasons why rich ppl don’t advertise their wealth in what they wear is because of security issues and the fear of being kidnapped (I live in the developing world, where the peace and order situation is unstable) and to hide their wealth from the tax man because they don’t trust the government 😂

the "quiet luxury" shit is just a reminder we will never be free from capitalism

The question I always pose to the “you’re fake rich” people is this: what if I’m wearing recognizably designer items, not to cosplay wealth, but because I like them?

I distinctly remember "quiet luxury" becoming back in vogue after the 2008 recession😅 so ya definitely not my first rodeo

Aren’t these the same kids that say “eat the rich”?? Yet they’re dressing up like them??

Sofia being white passing (now) can’t also go unnoticed. She wants to be seen as close to white as possible, and this aesthetic is the best way to get there

I think wealthy people dressed in an understated way not because they don't care, don't need to make a point, or are boring, but rather in order to fit in with the vast majority of people, so that they won't be a target. The biggest takeaway, for me, is to focus on good quality material in colors or patterns that can be easily mixed and matched, to get the most out of your wardrobe.

Perfectly summarized. This "aesthetic" is where classism and racism dovetail and that part people miss is that yeah wealth and power don't necessitate performing "taste". People miss the part where materially resourced people aren't obligated to do anything .... thats the flex and trying to assign meaning to the rest of it is extremely weird.

I think there is an element of this where as you age, your style just becomes more sophisticated, and you wear less branded stuff. I've been doing that naturally and i'm in my late 20's. So while I get what this vid is saying, most people do tend to grow out of wearing flashy clothes and stick to neutral colors as they get older. my mother is a school teacher and has a lot of neutral clothing, my grandmother wore nice looking clothes even when she was dirt poor growing up. People forget that it used to be standard for everyone no matter what class, to have to present yourself publicly in a certain way. Which was typically more boring clothes, but timeless clothes as well. There's a reason well-made vintage pieces get handed down, and are good finds. Massive cheap logo clothing was never a thing until around the 90's. Not to mention this style and finding plain clothing is very easy to emulate, so I don't see most of this as a rich person thing, unless you're purposely wearing plain clothing from rich people brands, hoping a select few will notice what you're REALLY wearing. Like if you're getting a $500 scarf from The Row hoping a random millionaire in NYC cares, or literally anyone cares... that's too much.

I was wondering when the pendulum would swing back to "toned down" lol. Honestly I wish black women in particular wouldn't buy into this...we're considered "too much" and "gaudy" from the beginning.

God, whenever I hear someone's job title and it includes about four things that require no qualifications ending in 'entrepreneur' or 'philanthropist,' I just think 'Why don't you just say rich trust fund kid without a proper job?'

“Despite having no money to hide…” I just screamed 😂😂

I'm not on TikTok (thank god), but I am a long time watcher of Succession and I love hearing the discussions around the fashion of the show, both from the watchers and from the show's staff behind the scenes. I think it's also interesting to note that the Roy family are also new money, so in some ways they're also cosplaying the old money aesthetic with their wardrobes. This is highlighted in the episode "Tern Haven" when the new money Roys are juxtaposed against the blue-blooded, old money Pierce family. But, without the wardrobe to clearly delineate between the pedigrees of the two families, the Pierce family instead used intellectualism and academia to assert their superiority. The class divide just expresses itself differently. I'm also a huge fan of the wardrobe, particularly Shiv's clothes. Them clothes are pretty plain, I won't lie, but the thing that makes it so aspirational in my opinion is just how well-tailored everyone's clothes are. Tailoring is a luxury most people can only spend on big days, like a wedding day, not something you splurge on for a random button-up like the Roys can. I think that's part of what is drawing people to the wardrobe, which is another "quiet" signifier of wealth.

Maybe rich ppl just wear boring clothing because they’re boring people‼️ is just *the* perfect summary and good video overall, as always💖

Most billionaires aren't known by magazines that make "richest people" lists. Often rich people try to be anonymous and private about their wealth. They often aren't public figures that are the heads of well know companies like retailers. They're often the ones that have this aesthetic, and there's good reasons. When they're public and flaunt their wealth, they're targets of not only crime, but just unwanted attention in general. When they embody this aesthetic, they can walk around in comfort. The investment banker name partner to most people looks like the grad intern working for them for most people. Obviously the people doing this worth more than Donald Trump flashing pictures of his gold toilet can fly under the radar and aren't potential targets for the wrong kind of people

i did not understand why everyone was freaking out about it i just found her weeding boaring and looks like every other rich wedding like?? how is it ground breaking as some people claim?

There's a pretty bad Indian movie on this topic of "New money vs. Old money" called Minsaru Kanavu. (Yes I know this is considered a good movie for 1980's indian cinema, for anyone who cares, but in general, it's pretty darn bad.) The father of the heroine has been rich for generations, as shown by the opening scene, where we find out his grandpa was the first to buy a car in their village. The pseudo-love interest comes from a new money family, and the movie portrays his parents to be goofy and bumbling idiots who happen to be rich, where as the heroine's father is portrayed as classy. Pretty wild how there seems to be a level of heirarchy even within rich people. It all seems rather silly, especially considering the current state of classism as it is.

Classism & elitism will always be "in".

I’m super glad you’re talking about this! Quiet luxury has always felt strange to me :/

"black, beige, white , grey, turtlenecks and straight leg jeans" that basically describes my personal style except my closet doesn't consist of a thousand dollar plain black t-shirt. ig that's the difference. paying way too much for the same things in the name of "craftsmanship" is quite luxury.

“Despite having no money to hide”😭🤣🤣 girl

I feel like we’ll never live in a society of individualism either way. Like neither of these aesthetics are the answer. Both made people conform, spend money, change their bodies etc to fit the “style” or idealism of the lifestyle. I see them as equal and opposite ends of an unhelpful pendulum. Fun as mood boards and 1 time dress up opportunities but severely lacking in true self expression free of classism as anything else.

Sofia is like every other celebrity, she follows the trends. I think the Dark Academia follows stealth wealth closely, but alot of us who are into Dark Academia went to thrift stores and spent our money. Celebrities saw Dark Academia and noticed how preppy it looked and started copying off of it.

Never heard of her. But I've heard of quiet luxury online. Thanks for filling me in.

the succession references are just the PERFECT touch to this video

I agree, this kind of aesthetic restricts individuality.

Another trend to fill the void of people

The only thing I felt was missing from this is the fact that this type of wealth fashion is completely racist. There are old money families all over the world, dynasties that the WASP culture cannot even touch, who wear bright colors and intricate clothing. Similar to WASPs actively choosing not to use spices in their cooking as not to be associated with people of color globally (please google this if you do not know about it) they have done the same with fashion to help set themselves apart. Even Old Europe was not plain. but specifically the British Royal house began to pair back as to set themselves apart. It is part of the culture to be different and better, always. And that is what in many ways makes WASP culture fundamentally racist. Literally everyone else if just out here living life, but they are always trying hard to solidify a club that they solely own access to.

I can’t believe Sophie got her fame back 😂

They kept the shorts the same price as the pants so it doesnt make the people wearing the shorts look cheap by implying that they bought the shorts because they couldnt afford the pants. Hilarious

But also, in terms of Sofia changing her style, we gotta keep in mind that she’s a young women in her mid 20’s, this is around the time where you begin to develop your long term style. In her case, it would make sense for her to elevate her style into something more timeless, and elegant.

Also it’ll be interesting to see how luxury gets redefined once the Asian market asserts their dominance and influence. They loveeeeeeeee them their brands, logos, and bold patterns/prints and that necessarily hasn’t gotten more understated as they consolidate their wealth. I have a feeling they won’t get hit with the tacky label for qwhite a few reasons…

"Maybe rich people wear boring clothing because they are boring" yessss

i dont really get why youd want to change your own style; to dress and essestially fawn over a style, that is worn by people who exploit people like us. And aslo dont gaf about our existence in all seriousness.

I love how chill her vibe is. Never seen her videos before, but I'm subscribing.

You speak so eloquently! I have been listening to Anna Bey for quite a while, I believe she was a huge part of this elegant trend. She teaches that how you dress hugely impacts who you attract.

This video screams what I have been thinking for so long and I am so proud of this woman for putting it so well.

Whewww I' so glad someone's speaking on this! I find it so cringey when people wanna "cosplay" being ultra wealthy

Omg I loved the song parody in the beginning! Aaaaaaaaa it’s so good! We need more of that energy 👏🏽

I feel like the only person who doesnt get the hype of all of this sofia richie and quiet luxury stuff? This isnt a dig at you. Ive seen it on tik tok and just dont understand the big deal?

for loro piana: the shorts were in a similar price range to the pants because they were made of linen! products made of traditional fabrics such as linen, cottons or wools tend to have a higher price tag for the same unit of synthetic/man-made fabrics such as denim because more hours of labour and production go into them, as well as the fact that they're 'traditional' and 'virgin' (usually). The fact that these fabrics may not always be 100% and could be a cotton blend does not have a significant impact on prices for luxury items, e. g. Valentino uses a lot of synthetic and polyester materials for their vibrant toned products and the price tag is still eye-popping. Prada has a long history of using nylon in their products although they focus on using it as part of the brand's artistry. To a certain extent, you're paying for that artistry, innovation and style, not just the quality of the fabric. But I definitely think one should question whether all these brands are living up to that craftsmanship with these prices. just thought I'd share. I did a small project on luxury products a while back and noticed this stuff while trawling through their webpages.

This was such a thoughtfully and intelligently put together video Amanda. I loved how considered your thoughts were and the playful beginning and ending.

The thing about stealth wealth that has always puzzled me, is that it's still materialism, but it has snobby esotericism tangled up into it.

I like dressing plain and "classic" bc i feel like my personality shines through more and it makes me more adaptable to all environments. I dont like thinking too much about what i wear. Other things on my mind. Im not rich lol.

This is such a great history of how this "trend" came to be. I've seen so many people talking about it online but didn't realize the context.

"despite having no money to hide" loool spot on

It's not about esthetics but if you buy quality items they last for a longer time (timeless). Overtime it is actually more cost efficient than buying cheap trendy clothing at a greater frequency. Really it's a mind set... quality over quantity

The Lorde intro is so slay tbh

your whisper singing in the beginning is so cute! 💕

Love your take! Recently saw a "quiet luxury" style video on Tik Tok and was so confused. First thought, "Are they trying to borrow the chic Parisian aesthetic? What in the exploitation?!" So much more clarity after this video. Please keep moving these conversations forward!

“What if he’s not attractive but he wants to spoil me“? Shera: Close your eyes, girl😂

Thank you so much for this video! I find it insane that there is even a debate over old money and new money! The funny thing is a lot of people talking have NO money. I have old money friends and they wear logos. As you said some people are just boring. New money should be celebrated if anything! We build our wealth on our own, not on the backs of others. We worked and earn our money and we should be able to spend it how we would like. I just think many people are basic and they were waiting for the basic train to pass so they could just hop on!

I worked with someone in the fashion industry a couple years ago and he said he wore a suit all the time because he actually saw it as more counter culture to dress up, rather than be casual. I think that says something about this quiet luxury movement. That for years of logos and beingg as risky as you want, that it can be more counter to popular trends to dress "elegant" or "understated" But people always run with an idea in their own way and ruin it so, there's that too lol

This is such a fascinating subject and you totally did it justice. Subscribed! 👏🏾

apparently she’s so quiet with her wealth yet I cannot seem to stop hearing about her everywhere

I’m from a low income income paycheck to paycheck Hispanic family and although my boyfriend it’s not “old money” per say he is on a whole different level University and apartment all paid by his father, ski trips, summer home type shit. There are so many misconceptions about it. For one they’re not just some money man that’ll pay off every financial burden specially if they’re still in college (like my boyfriend and I are). The difference will be noticeable and play a huge part in the relationship for a lot of them they are not used to being around lower income people they don’t understand why you don’t have money to spend on an outing. I was surprised by how much more individualistic they are inviting or the it’s on me thing it’s not really a thing to them. Where you really notice the difference in when you meet the family when you see them converse and interact in a way you cannot relate to. You can’t pitch in the conversation because what will you say oh I grew up opposite because I had to struggle. You feel very alienated even when they trying their best to be nice they live in such a different world that it makes it hard for them. In one instance his grandfather was having a conversation with me (very nice man) but he was asking me what I liked to do I mentioned I didn’t have time for much because of work and school (I need to work to afford college on top of the loans I have) he was taken back and wondered if it was an internship and was trying to compute why I worked while I went to school I explain it to him and I could just tell it was an OH moment. You feel different you feel lesser than sometimes, I resent them sometimes because so blissfully to clueless. They’ve been nice but the divide it’s clear I cannot imagine what actually old money people are like. It’s not a whisper it’s a shout you aren’t like us.

It’s the “no money to hide” that has me rolling!!! Like y’all we have statistics on our citizens pockets! The brokenness is documented! 😂

As someone who leveled up, my wardrobe is like this mostly due to time and social expectations. I work in the financial industry and two weeks every month I can work 70+ hrs a week. So I need something like pencil dresses and other work outfits with neutral or coordinating colors in order to be ready in 30 minutes or less. I'm also working with Partners and C suite, having lunches in restaurants or get-togethers at country clubs that have strict dress codes.

A few years back I would never have imagined you referencing SheraSeven. Her comment section on social media is brutal. There was one thread describing warning signs of imminent death such as disease symptoms so that you know how to pick the right old man to marry. I had to leave. 🤣🤣🤣

This is just the clothes version of “clean girl makeup” and like that trend it’ll fizzle out fast once people realize that it’s actually boring af, they don’t have the money to start revamping everything, and the pendulum swings to something else. There’s also something to be said about how when it comes to style the average person is basic and clueless af about fashion. That’s why when these trends come in where you don’t have to do to much or venture out of your comfort zone people jump on the bandwagon, because they feel they can finally fit in. Society in the west is also very Eurocentric, so they never truly felt at ease with the glitzy, colorful bold, curvier phase we went through for the last decade. Hence why the pendulum now is swinging hard to the skinny, muted, cLaSsY, quiet luxury vibe. They want to be on top and stay there

This isn’t my bag but I will say I’m glad there is someone of color expanding this knowledge to capitalize herself. Bravo 👏🏾 and I keep shining. ❤

love your videos your vocabulary and choice of words is superb really sets the tone

The truth is people of color look incredible in color and loud, exuberant pattern and design. The neutrals are really a waste of gorgeous, chocolate skin, skin that can still shine through say, bright red or chartreuse. Of course White women look better in pastels but most women of color can sport aesthetics of far more design and I honestly think they should. Paleness and pastel Whiteness just doesn’t look as good on the gorgeous melanated skin, objectively.

This analysis is incredibly well written and presented. So. Good.

Great interpretation of the quiet luxury aesthetic. Very well spoken & informative video!

I was waiting for you to speak on this and it didn’t disappoint!

I feel like you’re Gossip Girl reading the elite but more clever.

Uhm. Its fascinating becuase I keep thinking like why do I feel a connection despite being middle class- I've realized that the religious conservatism I feel has a large part to play as well. WASPs in particular which I am sure is an additional sub category to the stealth wealth old money of it all, does have a religious basis. My parents as POC and who grew up extremely poor, but also religious, taught us to never be flashy, always toned down, invest in tailoring, repurposing, and good fabrics, and austerity. Not saying these fashion choices are austere but like relative to the bling off shein, yes. Also I do want t emphasize, the simplistic nature of it all is really possible to cosplay. Like go to your local thrift store find good fabrics, tailor(or don't because I love rolling in oversized) and your good. I usually just use like gold plated jewelry to like sort of have a bit of pop under/peaking through the clothes, but yah.

Beautifully spoken essay.👏🏻✨🌸

I just love hearing you read through the narration. If you wrote this, you're definitely a beautiful writer.

For something so quiet, people sure won’t shut up the fuck up about it lol

I've never heard of this before, thanks for telling me about it.🧡

Just found your channel and I instantly subscribed. The way your articulate your points, include relevant examples, and speak with a calm tone is impressive. Keep it up!

the peoples quiet luxury: clean girl aesthetic

Though there are a lot of problems with the "quiet luxury" trend as a concept that focuses on luxury, bagging a billionaire and projecting certain status, I personally enjoy the comeback of this elegant and classy style, think Audrey Hepburn.

The fighting over what's "timeless" when it comes to fashion and and aesthetic is really maddening for me because of course it's always conservative values piercing it's ways through. I think a tank top is timeless and jeans too, very basic but insanely useful clothes to have that that's can be styled with anything but this isn't the timeless people talk about because it's too worn by everyone, no they want the chanel ass trousers that's been in their shop for a while as timeless when in reality it barely has the wise of just the concept of jeans. I just think the "timeless looks" weather sells is a lie because looking at all the wedding dresses shown they show clear time period fashion trends and styles that will age I just (as someone interested in fashion history) can't believe it. Stealth wealth is a lie especially now that's so many people can easily keep track of and look up clothes prices and the lie that the wealth are somehow smarter to stay clear of these trappings of trends is too. They will without fail also become dated if they religiously only wear what the "right brands" sell. And again I circle back to the fact it's all clearly conservative values that people refuse to introspect on with how even if you have the money and freedom to buy what you want if you don't dress ready for church people will shame you. The insanely irrational instant hatred people have when they see others not following the cover up and follow gender roles rules is truly inescapable for all even in this day and age. I almost feel inclined to dress now almost nothing when I go out just to not feed into that more my anger is so strong for how people refuse to just say they're cosplaing bible thumpers. (I have autism and dyslexia so if something doesn't make sense or sound right in this please say I miss that stuff a lot)

I was literally screaming when she sang in the beginning cause it made so much sense 😭

The whisper singing got me🤣🤣🤣 quiet luxury singing