If you’ve ever seen or encountered the name Anna Delvey, then you would’ve known that she was able to pass out as old rich, in this rich person reputation that she built for herself. The way she expressed herself in her style was more of a complex thing: her casual streetwear look conveyed she was careless because she was rich.
In the world of the old rich that she wanted to be part of, finer details are part of the finer occasion.
Since the release of Inventing Anna and Gossip Girl Season 2, it has been back. Its resurgence in Generation Z is only the beginning!
What Is Old Rich Style?
There are so many things that you could call the kind of style. It’s gone by “quiet luxury” and, of course, “old money.” It’s associated with the lifestyle and status. It has also become the subject of many people’s fascination for decades.
It’s become the backdrop for different movies and shows, like Emerald Fennell’s Saltburn, Inventing Anna, and The Gilded Age; these are all takes on the underbelly of the upper class that has always upheld “order.”
Thanks to social media, millennials and Generation Z have discovered this style of dressing. The #OldMoney tag currently has 1.6 million tags on Instagram. It’s also boomed on TikTok.
The Appeal Of The Old Rich/Old Money Style
Obscure Quality
The visual appeal of the style is that visually it looks obscure. A lot of the clothes worn in old rich style are well-worn – and that is an integral part of the aesthetic.
The lived-in texture that defines the clothes is a marker of the milieu, although TikTokers nowadays don’t want to look at it as “old money.” This milieu has been around for so long; the Royal Family of the United Kingdom is especially associated with it.
Sustainability
Another appealing aspect of the old money is that it is considered sustainable fashion. You might ask, what is the sustainability in the old rich type of fashion? This means investing in neutral shades that can last and worn interchangeably.
The look that it gives you is one that is bound to age well. It can carry you through different occasions. Its longevity is intentional. You can get your fare from secondhand clothing retailers, especially compared to fast fashion.
It is preppy and yet timeless!
Nostalgia and Escapism
These times are unstable. A lot of us are experiencing recession. To some, the old money aesthetics are a form of nostalgia and escapism as it evokes happier and more stabler times.
The rise in the infatuation with old money wealth can be explained by certain theories. From glitzy Y2K looks, people are dressing more demurely.
In 1926, this theory was created. George Taylor, an economist, coined the term the hemline index. According to this theory, during times of financial prosperity, the skirts of women got shorter. During recession, they were longer.
Individualism and Aesthetics
A lot of trends that populate TikTok and influence young people may come and go. However, old money and old rich style of dressing helps younger people maintain their own style. It becomes less about wanting to dress like other people. Rather, it’s more about dressing up sustainably and maintaining your own personal style.
Luxury
Lastly, the old-money clothing style helps evoke a more chic and sophisticated image. On a similar comparison, so do Jili games. Jili games stand for high-stakes gaming – not too far off from luxury and wealth. Both tap into indulgence, excitement and the fantasy of wealth and elegance.
Wrapping Up
The old money aesthetic has shifted its meaning. Its roots have many depths – from being linked to racism and colonialism to standing for an aspirational lifestyle. We can’t deny though, that in the long-term sticking to the basic catalog in the old rich style is sustainable without feeding into the fast fashion machine. The look’s just a cop away!
