OLD MONEY AESTHETIC ｜ How to look Old Money and more Expensive

Welcome to today's video and welcome back to my channel. For those who are new, my name is Katja Benita and today we are going to talk about how to look old money and more expensive. Whether you're trying to dress more classic or you simply want to exude an air of sophistication and elegance in any working environment, this guide will help you achieve exactly that look. So in this video I will show the three essential steps to embody old money aesthetics yourself. As a little disclaimer, of course this style varies a lot depending on country and culture, but this is my personal conception about it, especially here in the European or Western world. So without further ado, let's quickly discuss what is the old money style or the often used word old money aesthetics. If we consider people embodying this, we directly think about icons like Jackie Kennedy, Princess Diana, Audrey Hepburn or Grace Kelly and while those are icons from bygone days, there is a more modern interpretation portrayed by Princess Kate, Sophia of Sweden or Letizia of Spain. With these people in mind, a definition is very easy. The term old money describes wealthy people who have inherited their money usually from a long line of ancestors who also inherited it. In other words, wealth that lasts for generations and above all increases. Incidentally, the term was originally used to refer to the most important families in Manhattan, but nowadays the term is embodied by men and also women who go to polo games, sip champagne on sailboats, study at prestigious Ivy League university and drive a luxury old timer. This is in contrast to the concept of new money with the so called new rich. These labels refer to people who have made money later in life and whose style, which is all just prejudice of course, is often dismissed as tasteless. I know this is a little bit exaggerated and seems like I'm only thinking in boxes, but this only serves for a simplification and illustration. So overall, old money aesthetics represent a timeless, sophisticated and heritage inspired style. Moreover, the old money aesthetic is also known as quiet luxury as it draws on traditional conservative garments as well as brands. Basically, it is fashion without logomania and without extravagant silhouettes. As already mentioned, there are also modern variations with a more contemporary look. But generally speaking, this look consists mainly of simple monochrome and secretly luxurious clothing. For instance, clothing that usually cannot be assigned to a brand at first glance. Contrary to the new money aesthetic, these clothes lack visible logos in most cases. So today, this style is also often associated with looser fits and extremely minimalist colors. So based on the old money philosophy, what can we conclude for our wardrobe? The basis of the wardrobe is formed by expensive clothing items from brands and designers whose labels are usually only visible at second glance. Old money people usually cultivate a quiet luxury, so therefore, when choosing a wardrobe, a lot of importance is attached to ensuring that the jackets, pants, shoes, tops and accessories are made of materials that are known to last a long time. For instance, wool, cashmere, silk, tweed, cotton, linen, leather and gabardine are particularly popular. Now we already know a little bit more about this style, so let's move on to the more specific part. How can we achieve it? Maybe we should start from top to bottom. So of course, we have point number one, take care of your grooming. This is essential to achieving an old money look. So get a classical and simple haircut that suits your face shape and maintain good hygiene. As we already learned, the mantra is less is more. And when it comes to the old money style, believe me, less is more. So avoid wearing heavy makeup, your skin should look clean but natural, your eyebrows should look like you took good care of them but not too dark, as well as also brow lamination or anything else that is currently a trend does not look like old money. No dark eyeshadows, no fake lashes, no red lipstick, unless you are a darker color type. And also your nails should be short and clean. Many old money women don't even wear nail polish, but if they do, it is very neutral and natural looking. So overall, everything is pretty decent. Next, moving on to point number two, your clothing needs to be classic with clean cuts and colors. As I already mentioned in the beginning, the cuts of your outfits should be simple and elegant. No flashy accents or over the top styles, just cuts that flatter your figure and that you can wear anywhere. Especially for everyday, go more for casual and well fitted clothing instead of skin tight pieces or oversized styles. One of the easiest ways to look old money is by investing in high quality clothing. So choose classic pieces that are made with quality materials, such as cashmere, silk or wool, cotton and linen, as your clothes should look high quality at first glance. Moreover, when it comes to colors, rely more on restrained earth tones like beige, light blue, gray, white, olive green, navy blue, black, as well as cognac. This color palette goes well with the aesthetic as it tends to look more expensive. For instance, use neutral colors like gray as the main color of your outfit and then set accents with slightly stronger colors, such as navy blue or olive. All in all, just avoid any flashy or bright shades and use a maximum of two to three colors for your outfit. Instead of any experimental or trendy outfits, both men and women in the old money style rely on basic items. This includes classic suits, sweater vests, polo shirts with shorts, cloth pants or suit trousers for men and pantsuits, riding boots, sheet dresses, a-line dresses, blazers, blouses and simple sweaters for ladies. For accessories, use something that goes with your clothes, does not stand out, but choose something that is still elegant. Forgo any flashy statement jewelry and opt for more delicate jewelry in silver or gold instead. So choose classic pieces such as a simple elegant watch, pearl earrings or a silk scarf. For daytime, I would always go for pearls and in the evening, I would opt for some nice diamond jewelry, for instance, diamond stud earrings. Moreover, your shoes, bags and belts should match the style and be made of natural materials such as leather. Invest in high quality leather shoes that are comfortable and durable. Stick to classic styles like loafers, oxfords and pumps and avoid shoes with loud patterns or logos as they tend to look cheap. And then moving on to point number three, take care of the image that you portray, especially how you carry yourself. Have manners, know general etiquette rules, practice good posture. All those things can make a significant difference in how you present yourself. So know how to act in any situation. Stand up straight with your shoulders back and head held high. Avoid slouching as it can make you appear unconfident. Speak with confidence. So the way you speak can also influence how others perceive you. So speak slowly and clearly, enunciate your words and avoid using slang or filler words. Just be confident in what you say and avoid apologizing for yourself. Having said this, these were already the three essential tips to embody old money aesthetics. Remember, it's not just about the clothes you wear, but also about how you present yourself. So invest in quality pieces, take care of your appearance, practice good posture and speak with confidence. With these tips, you will be able to exude sophistication and elegance effortlessly. As we conclude our journey through the world of old money aesthetics, we are reminded of the enduring charm and elegance that transcends time. From the classic designs and high quality materials to the refined taste and exclusive lifestyles, old money aesthetics represent a legacy of sophistication and privilege. It's a world where tradition meets modernity and the appreciation for timeless elegance is passed down through generations. So whether it's in fashion or manners, embracing the essence of old money aesthetics can bring a touch of refined luxury and timeless grace into our lives. As we continue to treasure the values of heritage and enduring style, let us be inspired by the timeless allure of old money aesthetics and strive to embody its refined essence in our modern world. So that's it for today's video, make sure to like this video and subscribe to my channel to support me and I will see you next week. Take care.