To start with the obvious, the main feature defining an actual «quiet luxury» (also known as «stealth wealth») is its high price tag. Yes, «luxury» in the name of this fashion trend, even though it’s accompanied by «quiet,» still relates to the fact that these garments are far from affordable. You can, however — and most fashionistas do — replicate the trend cheaply, so dressing low-cost in a «quiet luxury» style is possible.
Before we break down the style, let’s look at the most prominent brands that represent it. One glance at designs by Celine, Brunello Cucinelli, Jil Sander, Ralph Lauren, Zegna, Tom Ford, Savette, Max Mara, Objets Daso, Margaret Howell, Toteme, The Row, Bottega Veneta, Bevza, Tod’s, Proenza Schouler, Khaite, and Loro Piana is enough to grasp the feel of the trend. By and large, it stands for top-quality textiles, minimalist silhouettes whose cuts leave no room for improvement, and natural tones, safe for every styling, such as white and ivory, blacks, earthy browns, as well as deep shades of siena, navy, or olive.
The versatile, timeless aesthetics of each item within this fashion style make it easy to combine various pieces of clothing throughout the years. Investing in long-lasting garments, favoring quality over quantity, and eco-conscious shopping are hallmarks of the sustainable approach leading the way of the awoken Gen Z. The minimalist, no-waste mindset is fashionable.
The «quiet luxury» movement ridicules the concept of fashion branding, as it tends to be logoless or only subtly branded. Relaxed, well-crafted, minimal, muted-color-palette outfits symbolize wealth, individualism, and sustainability, effectively representing the generational mental makeup.
On a budget or not, styling «quiet luxury» or «wanna-be quiet luxury» outfits isn’t the most challenging of tasks. You want to avoid bold tones and loud stylizations. Secondly, look for top-notch quality. Even if you can’t afford the virtuosity of tailoring or first-class fabrics, you can always choose gears that favor simplicity over extravagance. Interestingly, «quiet luxury» stands out thanks to metaphorical «whispers,» such as impeccable stitching or exclusive-yet-barely-visible details, as opposed to «shouts,» as it is within the «normal» luxury stylistics. It’s what makes quiet luxury quiet and why it will be recognized mainly by those few who know what’s cookin’.
