Introduction to old money aesthetic
- Julia Orłowska
- Oct 30, 2022
- 3 min read
Old money is a term, we use to describe people who have inherited their wealth instead of working for it. Making more precise marking is associated with WASP (White Anglo-Saxon Protestant) and Western Europeans, who were born into rich families. Is worth mentioning that in the USA in the 1930s the upper class was divided into the upper-upper (old money) and the lower-upper classes. These lower-upper classes were called nouveau riche, which is a rather degrading term for people, who gained money by themselves and were born into the lower class. It is grievous, that these self-made entrepreneurs were seen as someone worse compared to people, who were handed everything on a silver platter. As long as even today people tend to admire the lifestyle of these first over the successful and hard-working group. It is shown by gaining the popularity of new-made in social media 'old money aesthetic'. Why is that so? To answer this question, I need to bring you closer to this, what we call the 'old money aesthetic'.
Roots of old money aesthetic:
In reality, the old money aesthetic is a simplified version of the preppy- subculture associated with alumni of private Northeastern college preparatory schools. To be able to call yourself a prep, you have to follow some rules, which indicate manners, etiquette, the way you dress, the vocabulary, that you use, even the dog you choose for your family. Old money aesthetic focuses only on looking wealthy. It is only an aesthetic, not a subculture, duh? But don’t worry if you want to become a prep, there is a book 'The official Preppy Handbook' by Jonathan Roberts, which will explain everything you clearly about this lifestyle. This book is in my opinion
really fun. It contains a lot of easy-on-the-eye drawings. The fun fact- the book was written satirically, but in reality, it doesn’t really matter. In the end, it is used in recreating the preppy lifestyle by thousands of people.
Differences between old money & new money aesthetics:
The new money is logomania, trendy clothes, showing off your life, while old money is seen by people as,, being rich in private”. In the first case (let me here quote the opinion of my friend):, you spend thousands of dollars to look like out of a garbage can”. In reality, these 26 logos of Louis Vitton on your T-shirt and a sign of Gucci on your trousers won’t make a good outfit. You will look cheap. To form a good look, you need to choose well good clothes, not show, that you spent money on them. That’s what old money does. It combines the good qualities stuff, that won’t ever go off the style like silk and pearls. I like to say, that old money is more confident, knows its value, what to do, and doesn’t need to prove anyone anything, while new money craves approval.
But there’s a problem with old money. It focuses on the same things all the time. It is conservative. Fashion is about CHANGE and EXPERIMENTS. This makes old money boring and predictable.
How to look like an old millionaire?
Go to the tennis court, wearing a white tennis skirt and tied cardigan around your shoulders
Much of tweed: bag, trousers, dresses- anything will go. You will look like from the Chanel runway
Don’t forget to take your leather coat and Birkin bag with you
Watch Gossip Girl with a new bouquet of roses in a vase, eating macaroons
Wear a turtleneck, navy blue blazer, loafers, and headband to school. You will not only look rich but also smart.
Get inspired by Jackie Kennedy, Blair Waldorf, and Chanel Oberlin outfits.
Go to Yale.
Conclusion
If you want to look rich, classy, and influential, but don’t like experimenting, this aesthetic is for you!
Sources and references:
https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2020-08-27/affirmative-action-yale-harvard-admissions-legacies
https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2020-08-27/affirmative-action-yale-harvard-admissions-legacies
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