Old Money Style: How to Get the Look for Women and Men

Old money style is a quiet, classic way of dressing built on neutral colours, natural-looking textures and clean tailoring, with no visible logos. The core pieces are a cable knit or fine-knit jumper, a crisp shirt, tailored or pleated trousers, a camel or navy coat and leather or suede loafers. The look works because every item fits well and could have been worn twenty years ago.

The phrase took off on social media, but the idea is old. It describes the wardrobe of people who never needed to show what they spent: understated, comfortable, made to last. You can borrow the approach on any budget, because it depends on choice and fit rather than price tags.

What is old money style?

Also called quiet luxury, the aesthetic grew out of country houses, sailing clubs and Ivy League campuses. Three ideas run through it:

• Restraint. Fewer colours, fewer accessories, no slogans.
• Texture over print. Cable knits, ribbing, corduroy and suede do the talking.
• Longevity. Pieces that look as right next year as they do now.

The old money colour palette

Start with cream, ivory, camel, navy, chocolate brown, charcoal and soft grey. Add one muted accent: bottle green, burgundy or a pale blue shirt. Black is used sparingly, usually in the evening. White trainers are the only sporty note most people allow.

Old money style for women

1. A cream cable knit over a white shirt, with the collar out. Our women's cream jumpers include chunky and polo-collar knits that suit this.
2. Tailored wide-leg trousers in camel, grey or navy, high on the waist.
3. A trench or a camel coat, belted, worn over almost anything.
4. A fine-knit cardigan buttoned as a top or draped over the shoulders.
5. Loafers or ballet flats, and for winter, knee-high boots.
6. Small gold jewellery, a silk scarf and a structured leather bag. Nothing branded.

Three easy women's outfits

• Cream jumper, navy wide-leg trousers, brown loafers.
• Striped shirt, straight jeans, camel coat, gold hoops.
• Grey fine-knit, pleated midi skirt, knee boots, trench coat.

Old money style for men

1. Knitwear first: quarter-zips, cable knits and polo-collar jumpers in navy, cream and grey from our men's jumpers.
2. Oxford shirts in white and pale blue, sleeves rolled.
3. Polo shirts, knitted or long sleeve, the classic summer-to-autumn piece. See mens polo shirts.
4. Pleated or straight trousers in grey, stone and navy, and corduroy in winter.
5. Suede loafers in brown, worn with or without socks. Our men's loafers include driving and penny styles.
6. A navy blazer or a Harrington jacket, and a camel overcoat for winter.

Three easy men's outfits

• Navy cable knit, white Oxford shirt, stone chinos, brown suede loafers.
• Cream quarter-zip, grey pleated trousers, dark brown Derby shoes.
• Knitted polo, navy trousers, loafers, a watch with a leather strap.

Fabrics and details that make it work

Natural fibres are part of the original look, but what matters most is how a fabric falls and ages. Choose knits that keep their shape, trousers with a crease or pleat, and shoes you can polish or brush. Details give it away: a collar that sits flat, cuffs that end at the wrist, trousers that touch the shoe. Look after the pieces and they keep looking expensive, so it is worth learning how to remove pilling from clothes and how to clean suede shoes.

Old money vs quiet luxury vs preppy

Common mistakes

• Too many statement pieces at once. One textured knit is enough.
• Logos and visible branding, which go against the whole idea.
• Shiny, synthetic-looking fabrics in bright colours.
• Ill-fitting trousers: length and waist matter more than the label.

How to make affordable clothes look old money

The look depends far more on choices than on labels. A few habits make everyday pieces read as classic:

• Tailor the length. Trousers hemmed to touch the shoe instantly look more expensive.
• Steam, do not just iron. Knits and wide trousers hang better without hard creases.
• Remove logos and loud hardware where you can, and choose plain buttons over branded ones.
• Repeat colours. A camel coat, brown belt and brown loafers tie an outfit together.
• Keep shoes in good shape. Brushed suede and polished leather matter more than the brand on the insole.

Old money style in winter

Cold weather suits this aesthetic perfectly. Layer a fine roll neck under a cable knit, add a long camel or navy coat and finish with a wool-look scarf in a single colour. Corduroy trousers, knee boots for women and suede Chelsea boots for men keep the look warm without turning sporty. Avoid technical puffers with large logos; if you need padding, choose a quilted jacket in navy, olive or cream.

From Maria and Denis: build it slowly. One good cream knit, one pair of tailored trousers and one pair of loafers already get you most of the way.