Strategies for achieving understated elegance, or 'quiet luxury', on a limited income

In the world of fashion, making a statement doesn't always mean splashing out on designer labels. A growing trend known as "quiet luxury" is gaining popularity, offering a more understated approach to high-quality fashion.

The concept of quiet luxury was first discovered by an individual who found inspiration in HBO's Succession and TikTok. This aesthetic, characterised by its understated elegance, is often associated with designers like Hermès, Loro Piana, Sandro, and Max Mara. However, it's important to note that quiet luxury doesn't have a single identified originator.

One key aspect of this style is the emphasis on having less, choosing simple things, and taking care of what you own. This approach can be seen in the author's wardrobe, which now revolves around five colours: black, white, navy, camel, and grey.

To achieve a more expensive look, the author has adopted a few strategic techniques. Removing all visible branding and labels from clothes can create an air of mystery, giving the impression that they are mysteriously immune to wear. Oversized fits in structured fabrics can also make less expensive clothing appear more expensive.

When it comes to footwear, simple shoes such as white sneakers, black loafers, and brown boots, when kept pristine, can convey a wealthier appearance. Keeping shoes obsessively clean is important for maintaining a polished, expensive appearance. Regularly using baby wipes, dish soap, and an old toothbrush for shoe cleaning can help maintain this quiet luxury look.

The author also pays close attention to the fit and press of their clothing. Clothes that are pressed, fit well, and are in a neutral colour can make people assume that expensive clothing is being worn, even if it is from budget stores like Target. To ensure clothes are always wrinkle-free, the author uses a steamer or hangs clothes in the bathroom.

The author's accessories also play a role in their quiet luxury aesthetic. Wearing the same jewelry every day gives the impression of valuable, real pieces.

The quiet luxury aesthetic is about discipline, including sticking to a colour palette, maintaining your things, resisting trends, and avoiding accumulating stuff. It's not about owning expensive things, but about restraint, editing, and understanding what makes something look expensive.

In essence, looking expensive has little to do with spending money and everything to do with looking like money doesn't matter to you at all. By adopting the quiet luxury aesthetic, one can create the illusion of not having to think about money, even when checking the bank balance daily.

Strategies for achieving understated elegance, or 'quiet luxury', on a limited income