You don’t have to be loud to make a statement. Understated elegance is in, letting subtle sophistication speak for itself. Loud logos and labels are out, with minimalism making a comeback.
At its core, quiet luxury is all about premium fabrics, refined tailoring, and minimalist styling. It's the kind of style that signals quality, taste, and confidence without needing to say a word. This ‘old-money aesthetic’ vibe favours timeless design over passing trends. It’s less about what you’re wearing and more about how you wear it.
Growing fatigue with trends fuels quiet luxury, as well as increased sustainability awareness. People are craving longevity, comfort, and authenticity. It’s not about showing off with what you wear, it’s about showing up in pieces that last, fit like a dream, and make you feel confident.
Building your quietly luxurious style
Ready to channel quiet confidence? Here’s how to work quiet luxury style into your wardrobe:
- Stick to a neutral colour palette – Think beige, ivory, camel, navy, and charcoal.
- Invest in elevated basics – Cashmere jumpers, silk shirts, perfectly cut trousers.
- Avoid overt branding – Opt for subtle detailing and clean silhouettes.
- Pay attention to fabrics – Natural fibres like wool, silk, and leather give that luxe finish.
Top tip: You don’t need to start from scratch. You can curate a timeless look by elevating what you already own and buying staple pieces selectively.
Accessorise with confidence
If you aren’t too sure how to go about implementing quiet luxury into your style, accessories are the perfect place to start. Think quality handbags, purses, scarves, and jewellery – the pieces that elevate an outfit instantly.
Here’s what to look for when shopping for quiet luxury bags and purses:
- Minimal or no branding: Avoid pieces with large logos or flashy embellishments. Opt for pieces that do the talking with their quality, and are often unbranded or discreetly stamped inside the bag.
- Premium materials: High-quality materials like leather and suede are common with more luxurious brands. To lean into quiet luxury, opt for natural textures that age beautifully and adapt to any outfit.
- Timeless, structured silhouettes: Clean lines and classic shapes like the tote, satchel, or top-handle are perfect for that sophisticated, timeless aesthetic. Steer clear of extreme shapes or trendy cuts; the bag should still feel relevant in a decade, not a reminder of past trends.
- Neutral colour palette: Choose soft tones that work well with any outfit, like camel, taupe, black, ivory, and navy.
- Impeccable craftsmanship: It’s all in the details: hand-stitching and precise seams that not only last, but make a statement.
- Function meets form: Practicality is important if you’re going to get your use out of this bag. Interiors are often well-structured with just enough compartments.
Brand picks: Reiss, Burberry, Aspinall of London, Coach, and Chloé.
When it comes to jewellery, you’re looking for a lot of the same qualities as with other accessories: minimalism, quality, and wearability. For your next go-to jewellery piece with an air of elegance, look for pieces with:
- Minimalist design: Simple chains, delicate rings, refined hoops, and clean lines make a jewellery piece instantly wearable.
- High-quality materials: Opt for solid gold, platinum, sterling silver, and ethically sourced diamonds or gemstones.
- Timeless silhouettes: Classic styles like signet rings, tennis bracelets, and solitaire pendants never go out of style, and ooze sophistication.
- Subtle detailing: Think hand-polished finishes, brushed metal, and pavé settings without excess sparkle and glitz.
- Invisible status: These luxurious pieces are only recognisable only to those familiar with the brand
How to wear quiet luxury (without replacing your entire wardrobe)
Quiet luxury isn’t about starting from scratch, but more about refining what you already have.
Here’s how to make it work for you:
- Build on basics: Start with pieces you can wear on repeat: a great pair of tailored trousers, a trench coat, a neutral knit. Then layer up with elevated staples.
- Mix textures, not colours: Monochrome looks (like head-to-toe cream or all black) are a hallmark of quiet luxury. But that doesn’t mean you should be afraid to mix fabrics: think silk with wool, or suede with cashmere.
- Edit your accessories: Swap loud bags and statement jewellery for timeless pieces: a refined leather handbag, classic gold hoops, or a minimal watch.
Quiet luxury meets sustainability
The rise of quiet luxury coincides with a bigger conversation about how we consume fashion. It’s not just about our aesthetics, it’s about values and what we endorse: slow fashion and fewer, more intentional purchases.
The beauty of quiet luxury is that it encourages longevity. That handbag from last year? Still chic. When it comes to shopping sustainably, preloved is your secret weapon. Second-hand doesn’t mean second best; it often means smarter, more conscious choices – and better value.
Shop curated collections and high-end, low-key fashion from influencers and brands you love, at a more accessible price point, at Reliked.
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