May 16, 2025
How to curate an “Old Money” wardrobe
The term “old money” simply means you are part of a family that comes from generations of wealth, however, the term has now become a sort of description for a person’s style. I love the old money style and when I am not dressing as a princess, I am dressing in the old money style. This style is a combination of classic pieces that create a wealthy and elegant look.
Now that we know what colors to wear to be timeless and classic, let’s talk about how to dress and what pieces to own to be timeless and classic. Read the Timeless Colors Issue here.
Collared Classic Shirt
Essential to the old money wardrobe is a good quality, collared, classic shirt. I’ve talked about how great this shirt is in other issues, which shows how useful having one or two of these in your wardrobe is. It never goes out of style, you can wear it all year round, you can style it in countless ways, and you will look so chic wearing it. What is better than one shirt that can do all that?
The old money way to style this would be to layer a cardigan or sweater over the shirt. You can look chic and if it’s chilly, you can always put on the sweater. It’s practical and cute!
Polo Shirts
I will admit, I love the look of polo shirts…on other people 😅 I do not own a polo shirt, but this is a cute addition to your wardrobe if you want to look “old money.” I think these look especially chic for tennis or golf.
Tailored Trousers/Skirts
When talking about old money, of course our outfits need to fit us perfectly and this means tailored trousers and skirts. We don’t need to *actually* get them tailored to get the tailored look, don’t worry. Zara and Ralph Lauren have options for trousers that look tailored.
To elevate your trousers and skirts, you should add a belt! Adding a belt is a very simple act but it is a very effective one. Picture how great a brown belt would look on white or beige trousers😍
Blazers/Jackets
This is one of my favorite parts of an old money outfit! I genuinely think that a blazer is essential for the old money look. It is even better if the blazer has gold buttons (gold > silver I said what I said). I talked about this in my colors issue but a navy blazer is one of my favorite pieces to style.
Accessories
Gold jewelry
Something very essential to the old money style is gold jewelry but we must remember, it is even more essential to wear minimal jewelry. Simple gold small hoop earrings, a simple diamond/gold bracelet, one or two gold rings, and a gold necklace. This is why it is better to buy a forever piece that you can wear forever, than multiple cheap pieces that will have your finger turning green in a week.
Though someone who comes from a wealthy family perhaps wears jewelry passed down through generations or that they received as a child, others can buy these pieces now and then keep to start passing down to future generations. These days, I do think these quality pieces are a lot easier to find. I bought a simple pure gold ring in a little store in Kyoto that I love and wear every single day and will last me forever without me having to spend hundreds of dollars. The store is called Glanta, if you are interested. They also have silver and white gold jewelry if that is your thing. It is also a really cool experience because they actually make the ring in front of you (except if you get real gold, it takes more time), or you can also make a reservation and you can make your own ring!
I also have a gold ring from Dior that I love and wear every day and I know will last me forever.
Pearls
I want to mention pearls, because one can never go wrong with pearls. Again, if you make the right investment, you will keep your pearls forever and can pass them down!
Gold watch
A gold watch adds even more elegance to your look. I love the look of a navy blazer with a simple/antique gold watch.
Shoes
For shoes, we can pair our outfits with loafers, ballet flats, or Mary Janes. These keep our outfit looking classy and chic just like someone who comes from generations of wealth would look.
Where to Shop:
- Ralph Lauren
- Zara
- Charles and Keith
- Mango
- Coach
- Antique Shops
- Chanel
- Dior
- She’s Parisienne
Some extra styling tips to really embody the old money way are quality over quantity, limited accessories, demure.
Always prioritize quality pieces over cheaper pieces. You will find that in doing so, you are making a good investment because these pieces will last for a really long time, if not forever, and they look like the quality they are. You will not have to continuously replace your cheap clothing that was damaged easily, looks super over-worn after two washes, and look cheap (they really just don’t look good).
Remember to limit your accessories to one or two pieces so that you do not overpower your outfit but rather compliment it. If you find pieces that don’t tarnish, you can wear them every day and always look elegant.
Being modest is essential to the old money style. Always cover up and let your outfit speak for itself. This includes clothing without too much branding or a log that screams at you. Instead, choose pieces that have very minimal branding if any branding at all. This will ensure you stay elegant and true to yourself (because we are not dressing to show off to others, we are dressing for ourselves).
See how I styled some old money looks:
Ethereally,
Amanda
Fashion quote of the day:
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” ~ Leonardo da Vinci
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