I don’t often cover fashion trends because I don’t believe women our age need to be influenced by trends. Naturally we want to stay current. We don’t want to look like our high school yearbook picture. We want to own our own style by curating a base of good quality classics that work with what we already own. From there we can add a few artistic pieces that define our personal style. There are a few concepts that I find interesting. Let’s chat about how to embrace the quiet luxury trend without breaking the bank.
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What is Quiet Luxury
Some refer to it as the old money or stealth wealth look. I prefer the term quiet luxury, it’s less offensive. Quiet Luxury is not about projecting wealth but rather creating a wardrobe with everyday high quality essentials as a base. It is about buying less, buying better and being mindful of CPW (cost per wear), or thoughtful sophisticated minimalism.
I have had this moto jacket for too many years to remember. Last year I added this great reformation leopard skirt (no longer available but similar linked below along with a few from eBay) I think my combat boots are classic but I know many of you disagree with that one! If you check out my post How to Refresh Your Closet by Buying Very Little you will see how many other ways I have styled these separates.
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This photo is from a few years ago. I am wearing a wool cashmere sweater from Anthro (no longer available and got eaten by moths in my move) a favorite Peruvian Connection turtleneck (they are the best) Eileen Fisher velvet pants (still available and classic) and Madewell mules similar linked below the pic. All of these items are classic and could be worn multiple ways.
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I am 68 years old. When I was growing up those who had money wore minimalist clothing with high-quality materials that whispered money. Those of us who were less fortunate just read it as tasteful and tried to mimic it in a less expensive way. No one would think about emblazoning their clothes with designer’s logos. Pay for that? Are you kidding me? I am really happy to see that trend go.
Here I am wearing an Anthro (no longer available) turtleneck (even anthro kept this one alive for a few years it was so good) and J Crew sweater pants from a few years back (Eileeen Fisher has them now). I added a simple colorful scarf from Echo and comfy birdies.
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According to Elle, quiet Luxury brands like “The Row, Toteme, and Tove have built entire brands around a steady stream of loyal customers who prefer refined tailoring over loud and proud monograms”.
How to Embrace the Quiet Luxury Trend Without Breaking the Bank
BUY THE BEST YOU CAN AFFORD (SHOP SALES)
I admit this is not my strong point. I am more of a year round bargain shopper.
SHOP RESALE BOUTIQUES & ONLINE RESELLERS
Ebay-my favorite. They have been around forever and have systems in place for nearly every issue. I buy most of the clothes that aren’t given to me on eBay. I have been a fan for years.
Etsy-another great resource. I do find that they tend to charge more for vintage clothing items than eBay as a rule, but they have tons of great sellers with great products.
The Real Real-I think this site focuses more on “labels” and buyers that are looking for items slathered with logos, but I have also found good deals here. I just purchased a great Rag and Bone leopard crossbody. Search your favorite designers and heart your favorites. Often the price will go down.
This outfit I have worn for years. I love a blazer belted at the waist on occassiion. I am wearing the Peruvian Connection blaxer with a vintage RL belt, vintage pin, very old leather skirt from BR and flat equestrian style boots from Bed Stu.
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Poshmark-From what I have observed they primarily sell clothes and jewelry. They often offer a better price the minute you favorite something. I think a lot of younger sellers list here. I find many are not good at responding to questions and they don’t often offer a lot of details on the items. You can message them but many never respond. I will say I purchase from them often, but it can be frustrating if you are interested in an item and they never get back to you.
Thred Up-Be careful with this one. You can find some great bargains but they do not take care of their merchandise, and their descriptions can be vague. That being said if you know the exact style and size you are looking for you can land some great deals. Heart your favorites. They mark things down often.
Velstaire Collective-a french company with rigorous authenticity standards. Note there is a charge for authentication. I find things to be pricier there as a rule but not always. You can heart your favorites and make offers. I have yet to find an offer accepted however.
The Outnet– I believe is London based and is a part of the Yoox Net a Porter group. I have not yet purchased anything from this group.
In this photo I am wearing the beautiful Charlotte Wrap from Lysee. I wore this wrap to death last year. It would be great for fall tailgating. If it warms up you can shed it. I love it with jeans, faux leather pants or like I have worn it here with the versatile Vince dress. I am wearing my bed stu boots that I have owned for years, native amerian jewelry and a brixton hat.
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MIX THE HIGH AND THE LOW
Many of you are probably thinking how can I get the old money style without the “old money” price tag? In this look below, I am wearing a $24.99 dress from H&M with a cashmere wrap from J Crew. Yes the cashmere wrap can be expensive (on sale currently). I paired them with my favorite Gentle Souls comfy boots (thank you Kenneth Cole for keeping them in the lineup-they get it) In this case you need to think of CPW.
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Embrace Silhouettes with Texture and Shape
I hate to feature this photo ( I think I look three months pregnant) but here I am wearing J Crew cashmere (no longer available but similar from Quince here) and Lysee faux leather pants (sure real leather would espouse the look more, but faux is more affordable), Native American earrings (a luxury for me) and birdies monogrammed velvet flats (they embrace the look without being ridiculously expensive). The J Crew wraps are lightweight and perfect for our climate (and travel).
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This Banana Republic blazer (still available but in different colors) I purchased last year. I am wearing it with my favorite J Crew chambray cotton shirt denim jeans, and artemis slippers. The pins are vintage.
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Keep Your Colour Palette Simple
I am wearing faux leather trousers from Lysee, a simple turtleneck, birdies and a vintage belt.
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While I was going through my pictures looking for “quiet luxury” outfits, I realized one common denominator. All of the pieces that emulate “quiet luxury”, I wear again and again. If you check out the posts that I have linked to you will see all of these separates on repeat. The J Crew Cashmere Pashmina is pure gold. If you find one on sale or on eBay grab it.
FYI I am not an expert on anything but this article What is Quiet Luxury and Why is the Trend Louder than Ever, and this one, What is Quiet Luxury by Carl Friedrick explain it best. I cannot at my age rationalize buying from any of the luxury brands. If you want to know How to Embrace the Quiet Luxury Trend Without Breaking the Bank, do your homework and shop the sales and the resellers. Who knows you might have some fun.
Cindy you always look so chic! I love your style and I am obviously not alone in my opinion.
I find really nice pieces at a local resale store, and also am always on the lookout at the big discount stores (Marshall’s is my favorite.) There are often some incredible finds, and the really trendy things that might only get worn a few times are not expensive to buy, and then pass on.
I just counted 29 cashmere sweaters in my closet. That is bad. But I love them, I promised myself I will wear something different every day this fall/winter. And if it doesnt get worn I’m getting rid of it. And, I’m not shopping for anything new. At least for awhile!
Xo Heidi
I, too, am in my 60s, and I want to applaud your comment that we are too old for really expensive pieces — unless we have lots of extra $$$. I am so tired of bloggers our age writing about “investment pieces.” In 15-20 years, we will be 80. Do any of us honestly believe that we will be the same size to wear such pieces? For one thing, we will almost invariably be shorter than we are today; for another, bodies shift around and weight changes. Last, but not least, our lives (HATE the word “lifestyle”) will be different. Thank you for being a realist!
Hi Maeve
Ha ha good point…I guess I am not an advocate for ridiculously expensive pieces at any age unless you have money to burn!!I do think we should buy the best we can within our budget. I am not a fan of anything that is emblazoned with logos. The only initials I want on my clothes are my own.
I’ve enjoyed your blog for years. It was refreshing to read your age.number! So maybe you should post over 60! Ideas.
I’m 80+ and there is Sandy Sandlin but we need MORE! I’m not volunteering as my style is off beat but I would live more over 80 ideas!
Hi Lee
I love Sandra. I only say over 50 because it reaches a larger audience. I will soon be 69. I think when I turn 70 it is time to quit the over 50!!
Beautiful styling, and the way you wrapped the camel pashmina in Image 1 is wonderful.
You’ve perfected the art of wearing neutrals with spice and I would love to follow suit if my lifestyle would allow me.
I seem to wear jeans such a lot that I wonder if you can (or perhaps you already have) do a post on how you wear jeans in an elegant, upmarket fashion.
Mind you, I attended the ballet two nights ago and wore a 10 year old chiffon trimmed cardi, a secondhand tailored and fitted leather jacket my daughter gave me, 20 year old patent shoes, 10 year old black cigarette legged trews (think 1960’s), a scarlet Kashmiri shawl I was given in primary school by an Indian penfriend, and an evening clutch embroidered with gold work peacocks that my daughter found in a thrift store and gave to me for Mothers’ Day many years ago. Nothing new except for a spray of Chanel Number 5 and I hope it all worked well.
???abut the denim outfit. is the shirt tucked in or worn out? when worn with blazer belted.
if i were to not tuck, how about a belt on top of shirt with an open blazer
Hi Pam
I have the shirt tucked in. I have done a post on jeans but I will be updating it soon with new ideas. Your ballet outfit sounds absolutely perfect!!
Hi again Pam
I just realized I combined your answer with Prue’s I don’t see why you couldn’t belt the shirt under the blazer. I belt a scarf under a blazer.
I love the way you styled the beige shawl in the first picture. So elegant!
Hi Kathy
I have posted it on IG but I know many of you don’t do Instagram. I will do a post soon.
This is my favorite type of post from you! I always love styling ideas, as I only purchase “classic” basics in a neutral palette. I would also love to see styling tips for wraps. I feel like I can never get then quite right! Thanks for the inspiration!!
Hi Joan
Wrap styling coming up!!
Quiet Luxury is how we have old money… it’s not what we paid it’s how we wear or style our outfits. You are very classic chic lady. You don’t put together grandmother’s old money look. Love your style.
Hi Nancy
Well said…and thank you for your kind words.
Great post! Timely for organizing my closet! Yes to
combat boots and I am going to dig my animal
print maxi out of the back of my closet
to wear with those combat boots when it cools
down!! I still haven’t thrifted ever but each
time I read about good pieces I think about
trying it…maybe..LOL.Love the looks.
Hi Char
I love my combat boots!!I always love a bargain!
You wear all your outfits so beautifully. However, it is frustrating that it is so hard to find true quality at reasonable price points these days. It used to be possible to find well tailored, quality materials, and beautiful styles in moderate or high moderate price points if one shopped carefully. These items draped beautifully, had quality construction, and lasted forever. Now, many of the same brands (think J Crew, Banana Republic, Ann Taylor) often have seams that pucker, fabrics that just don’t hang well, collars that don’t lay nicely, etc. It is challenging to find quality (which translates to “quiet luxury”) without spending several hundred dollars per piece (and even then…).
Hi Barbara
You are exactly right. I was checking some of the high end brands mentioned in the articles. Really $1K for a sweater? Yikes!!
Hi Cindy spot on about Poshmark…. No details and no response which usually means no sale! I’ve purchased jewelry for daughters on Outnet with good success. Love Real Real and Fashionphile for some items.
Hi Sharon
I have never tried Fashionphile! Thanks for the tip. Poshmark is frustrating. Not all sellers are unresponsive but I find many are.
Funny you would post this great piece just when I was in the middle of inventorying my “quiet classics”. I call them classics as I don’t have a lot of luxuries. Between the moths that I battle regularly and the occasional Thalo blue getting on me even though I wear smocks, every year something hits the bin. I hate to waste so I wear the old raggedy classics to work in. I call those my Art Rags!! Luckily I have some arty accessories that make the simplest of basics look fun and unique. Thanks for inspiring my fall inventory.
Question: Have you ever gotten rid of something you realize you shouldn’t have? Do you have a suggestion for avoiding that ?
Great post Cindy! Each outfit is styled beautifully and inspiring. Thanks for the inspiration and tips. (BTW – big fan of combat boots)
Hi Barb
One for team combat boots. I love mine. They are so comfy.
Good morning, Cindy,
Once again, you look lovely in each and every photo. Your styling of luxury staples, repetition of basic pieces, and encouragement to find special pieces on the web, inspire me to freshen my fall wardrobe by shopping my closet before exploring other sites.
I notice you wear the Artemis slippers and the Birdies shoe. We have similar foot issues so what criteria to you use for your choice and proper sizing. I have a birthday coming soon and would like to add one or the other to my wardrobe.
Happy fall,
Diney on Mercer Island
Hi Diney
I find the Artemis slippers to be the most comfortable for my feet. They do not slip around and they aren’t tight on my bunion. In Birdies, I wear either the Starling or the Heron. Again no problems with the bunion. I hope that helps. Next week I will be sharing a new pair of Artemis slippers that they generously gifted me. They are really fun!
I have just found you & am having so much fun!! Your style is spot on! Love what you do & your articles are very helpful! Waiting for my Channel lipstick! Thanks for all the ideas!
PS- We stayed in Paso Robles a few years back & had so much fun! It is beautiful there!
A big part of your style is your confidence. I don’t think much of what you wear would work on me, but I am inspired by the pieces you select and how you put an outfit together. Oh, and your sense of whimsy! Also, how you style a piece is awesome. For instance, in the first photo above with the caramel pashmina, I would love to know how you drape it and make it looks so natural! How do you make it stay in place? A how-to post on styling would be great.
Yes to lesson about securing a wrap! You’re looks terrifc
Hi Deanne
I will see if I can upload it and put it on my Sunday favorites. I have put it on Instagram but I know many of you don’t do Instagram.
I would also love a tutorial on how to for the wrap. Love your style!
What an excellent post. This is so helpful; I appreciate the work that went into it.
You have AMAZING style – not everything would be something I personally would wear but man oh man do I love it all on you. I have a poshmark closet (@lovemeatunic) and as an older (56) woman with a wide variety in my closet I try very hard to be descriptive and I’m VERY quick to respond so I think there are those of us out there (my friend @vanessaprass is another mature poster on poshmark who is VERY descriptive and has amazing quality pieces) but I get it cause I’m a huge thrifter for clothing
Terrific post.
Love your quiet luxury style. Do you ever wear grey?
See, you were a trendsetter before there was a trend, LOL. I agree with you that quiet luxury means buying the best quality fabrics, in small numbers, and holding on to the pieces for years. I do caution against thinking a piece is an “investment,” because as you noted, moths can turn an investment in a junk bond. Haha.
That is so very true!! I’ve lost way too many “investment” pieces to moths 🙁
For silk, wool and inherited pieces, I always put each/2-3 pieces them in a ziplock, and for items I will rarely pull out/use, put a piece of mothball in it before sealing it. I never lose precious clothing to moth that way even when we have moth infestation a couple times. Amazon sells Plymor 13×15 resealable plastic that is the perfect size for folded clothes (normal gallon ziplock is too small for it).
Hi Sasha
I gave up on mothballs for health reasons. I think maybe I should revisit!!
Love your style in EVERETHING
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I LOVE your style!