Beyond Words

With the start of a new year, we’re all clamoring away at sticking to our New Year Resolutions and hoping to stay on track this time around. A lot of those resolutions may have to do with pairing down with buzz words like simplicity and minimalism. I personally love the simple life but I’m not much of minimalist. I have, however, found a liking to the “quiet luxury” fashion trend. I’m not one for trendy fashion at all, so I use the term “trend” lightly here, but this IYKYK trend is one I’m on board with.

It’s called “quiet luxury” but I’m hearing it loud and clear. So, what is it exactly? It’s kinda hard to describe but one thing most agree on is that it’s absolutely 100 percent logo-less. It’s understated, timeless, and chalk-full of functional and chic pieces that never go out of style. It’s not focused on flaunting brands but instead on craftmanship and class. It’s also anything but ostentatious, flashy, or skin-baring. The goal is to make a presence without making noise. You never, ever want to be accused of RIT (Rich in Theory) or PDW (Public Display of Wealth.) You could say French women have been doing this effortlessly elegance all along. Tres chic!

Basically, it’s leaving all those labels and logos in your closets and opting instead for understated elegance and refined taste. The style mania days of Gucci belts and logo-laden bags are back in the closet and styling options are now packed with closet classics and endless elegance. It’s not quite minimalism as its more polished and stylish. In a nutshell, think a quality investment coat thrown over stylish jeans, a cashmere sweater, and Tod’s loafers while carrying a logo-less bag.

TV-wise, think more “Succession” and less Dorit on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” who seems to always have at least one logo on and multiple logos most of the time on as seen above and who once was quoted as saying “I believe in an excess of everything except moderation.” We get it, you have money but as the old saying goes, “Old money and no money are the same. You don’t talk about it.”

Enter the Roy family from “Succession.” I loved the HBO drama as did millions, and the low-key but high-dollar clothes cast members wore resulted in “Succession Fashion” considered the way to dress. The show centered around the billionaire Roy family that was as notorious for its quiet luxury fashion as it was for under the table deals and private jets. Son Kendall’s $600 Loro Piana cashmere baseball cap broke the internet while daughter Shiv’s trademark Katharine Hepburn-esque high-waisted pants and well-made suits became her trademarks. Family patriarch Logan Roy was not to be left behind and his classic cable knit sweaters embodied old money style. Never was a Roy draped in glitz or glam and they even made fun of a date’s Burberry bag (I love Burberry!) brought to a semi-formal gathering.

Also called stealth wealth in that luxury pieces worn fly under the radar, quiet luxury is anonymously chic, expensive but inconspicuous, and rejects any desire to show off. It conveys expensive and tasteful and is not about what you have or wear, but what you don’t.

Now granted, not everyone can afford $600 baseball caps or custom-tailored suits, but you can stick to the basics of this very basic kind of style. Your goal is to convey a mood more than a flash and put together an effortlessly elegant look that will stand the test of time. It’s almost like what you don’t wear speaks volumes.

Three women who have played big roles in this trend are Ivanka Trump, Gwynneth Paltrow, and Sofia Richie Grainge. Paltrow turned heads in her appropriately pared-down looks during her recent court appearances and love her or hate her or her dad, one must admit Ivanka has a style we can all love. Sleek, often monochromatic, and not a logo in site as shown in these photos, the former First Daughter should top any “best dressed” list if one is being honest and unbiased.

Then there’s Gen Z style icon and daughter of Baby Boomer Lionel Richie, Sofia, who made fashion waves and headlines last year for her wedding, especially among her generation who was both drawn to and surprised by her classic look and choices. For someone who could afford literally any dress in the world, her custom Chanel couture dress was undoubtedly uber expensive and yet it was also simple and unpretentious. Hair and make-up also come into play when talking quiet luxury, and Sofia’s for the entire weekend were simple and clean. Gone are the days of lengthy false lashes and overdone faces. In are days of tasteful, matte make-up and natural-look faces. Sofia’s everyday style continues this timeless sophistication and this Boomer loves it.

Okay, so if you’re not the daughter of a mega-star or mega-millionaire, how can you tag onto the quiet luxury look? (Personally if I were, I would be choose Carolina Hererra as my go-to. As photographed above, she is always classy, simple, and timeless.) Think elevated basics and clothes that whisper such as well-made sweaters; chic blazers; simple white tees; button down shirts; classic pants and jeans; cozy knits; sleek flats, loafers, or pumps; and layers…layers upon layers. And, minimalist accessories are mandatory. Maybe a nice watch, treasured ring, diamond stud earrings, or a piece of legacy but discreet jewelry. Period. No mas. Come to think of it, all of this describes my college friend Christie to a tee…excuse the pun. Always chic but never flashy, Christie epitomizes quiet luxury and has done so for years.

“Luxury” at one time was defined as anything exclusive and expensive, but thanks to the mass and counterfeit markets, what was once treasured is now touché and can be seen at any mall, airport, restaurant, or gym. Enter quiet luxury, which is a more low-key approach to, well, luxury.

So why a quieted down luxury and why now? Many credit the current economic challenges many are facing with trend forecasters dubbing it “recession core.” The state of our country and world the past couple of years is heavily influencing how people are dressing. I prefer to think that those with money are also trying their hardest not to rub it in the noses of those gasping at gas pumps and grocery stores, paying mortgages that equal many a high-end purse, and otherwise wondering what’s next. Flaunting extreme wealth is not only tacky but tone-deaf as well.

Brand-wise, all quiet luxury eyes are on The Row, Bottega Veneta, Khaite, Tod’s, Loro Piana, Brunello Cucinelli, and the always classic Ralph Lauren. Again, not affordable to most, but mass marketers like Chico’s, Alice Walk, Talbot’s, Ann Taylor, J. Crew, Lands End, department stores like Nordstrom’s, and even Old Navy offer classic styling at a fraction of the cost. Who can ever forget Sharon Stone’s brilliant pairing of a Gap shirt with a designer skirt for the Oscars? Still one of my favorite looks ever. Fabric-wise, cashmere is king as are silk, and Vicuna wool but one can make do without them just fine if unaffordable.

Then there’s color, or actually lack thereof. Camel and all things soft beiges, light creams, and pristine whites join rich blacks and chocolate browns to create the look, leaving behind anything bold or bright. It’s all about neutral tones, quality materials, and investment pieces. Focus on thoughtful shopping not trends or flash. Always remember that Gluttony and Pride are two of the Seven Deadly Sins while Humility is not. If anything, keep this in mind: fashion is what you buy. Style is what you do with it. Fashion is fleeting. Style in timeless.

I’ve never been a big trend follower and I love my khaki, white, and black clothes but I will say I also like to add a fun stripe or plaid and maybe even some floral now and then. I like the quiet luxury idea but I also like to have a little fun with my wardrobe. I suggest taking from all of this whatever you like but, in the end, you be you. As my daughter so brilliantly told me one time, “wear what makes you feel pretty.” Amen!