"Quiet luxury" dominated fashion in 2023, its rise fueled in part by HBO’s hit series Succession. The show masterfully captures the lives of the ultra-wealthy, where power, cunning, and privilege are wrapped in a wardrobe of neutral, understated sophistication.
What is Quiet Luxury?
The phrase "If you know, you know" defines quiet luxury to perfection. These outfits don’t scream status with flashy logos or bold colors. Instead, they captivate with luxurious materials, razor-sharp tailoring, and a level of craftsmanship that speaks volumes in silence.
An outfit from The Row, one of the hallmark brands of the Quiet Luxury style.
Quiet luxury eliminates all trace of logos - it’s opulence without advertisement. You won’t see oversized Gucci buckles or Louis Vuitton monograms here. Instead, think harmonious neutral tones paired with breathtaking price tags. These pieces whisper their exclusivity, yet their quiet elegance is unmistakable to the trained eye.
Why is Quiet Luxury Having Its Moment?
Fashion is cyclical. Just last year, we embraced vibrant, playful styles - a natural reaction to the gloom of pandemic isolation. Bright colors and bold patterns reflected a collective longing for joy.
Now, the pendulum swings back toward sophistication and subtlety. Runways in 2023 emphasized functionality and timeless design, refocusing attention on the craftsmanship and materials at the heart of great fashion.
The cashmere baseball cap featured in Succession is a textbook example of quiet luxury. Deceptively simple with no visible branding, it seems like a $6 cap - until you discover it’s $600, crafted from pure cashmere.
The success of Succession has undoubtedly amplified the quiet luxury movement. Characters sport cashmere caps from Loro Piana and hoodies from Tom Ford, effortlessly embodying understated affluence.
Think of Mark Zuckerberg’s iconic gray tee, custom-made by Brunello Cucinelli - the “king of cashmere.” These pieces, recurring stars in Succession, reflect a philosophy of style where form and material reign supreme.
Sweaters from Loro Piana or Brunello Cucinelli might retail for nearly $2,000 - a steep investment, no doubt. But quiet luxury isn’t about accessible price points; it’s about an aesthetic mindset. It’s a reminder to prioritize quality over quantity, choosing timeless pieces that endure rather than fast fashion that falters.
Quiet luxury invites us to embrace the beauty of simplicity. While few can splurge on a cashmere sweater or a custom tee, the essence of this trend - focusing on material, form, and longevity - can inspire everyone.
It’s a style ethos that values understated elegance over loud excess, proving that sometimes, the softest whispers can make the strongest statements.
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