When Gen Z Is Romanticising the Elegance of Wealth
The wealthy have always been a source of fascination, particularly regarding their style.
Whether it is European aristocrats’ understated elegance or East Coast elites’ effortless refinement, old-money fashion has long been a study in quiet confidence.
Unlike the flashy displays of new money, the old money aesthetic isn’t about proving wealth—it’s about inheriting it.
Now, Gen Z has turned this sartorial language into a full-blown social media movement, with thousands of TikTok creators curating outfits, mood boards, and lifestyle montages that capture the essence of generational wealth.
Images of JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, Ralph Lauren campaigns from the 1990s, and scenes from The Talented Mr. Ripley fill Instagram feeds, painting a picture of a lifestyle defined by heritage, tradition, and effortless affluence.
On Instagram, #OldMoney has surpassed a million posts, and #OldMoneyAesthetic continues to grow, filled with visions of navy blazers, pearl necklaces, country estates, and leisurely afternoons spent yachting.
It’s a world where the most expensive things aren’t brand new but rather well-worn and steeped in history.
But what exactly is the old money aesthetic, and why has it become Gen Z’s latest fixation?
What Is the Old Money Aesthetic?
At its core, the old money aesthetic is about an effortless, inherited sense of wealth and privilege.
The clothes are never trendy but always timeless—the kind of pieces that could have been worn 50 years ago, today, or 50 years from now.
The emphasis is on quality, subtlety, and a lack of ostentation. Unlike the new money style, which relies on logo-heavy streetwear, statement accessories, and ostentatious indicators of wealth, the old money look follows a different set of rules:
- No overt branding—wealth is understood, not advertised.
- Clothing that looks inherited rather than purchased—a well-worn tweed blazer or a slightly faded Oxford shirt signals history.
- A neutral, timeless colour palette—navy, beige, soft greys, and earth tones replace bright, attention-seeking colours.
- Garments made to last—cashmere sweaters, wool trousers, and linen shirts that get better with age rather than deteriorate after a few wears.
Richard Thompson Ford, a Stanford law professor and author of “Dress Codes: How the Laws of Fashion Made History”, describes the old money aesthetic as anything that evokes the mid-20th-century elite—clothing that would be worn on the campus of an Ivy League school, at a private members’ club, or aboard a family yacht in the Mediterranean.
A few decades ago, this style would have been called preppy but nowadays, Gen Z has stripped the term of its commercial associations and refocused it on heritage, exclusivity, and an aspirational lifestyle.
How Social Media Turned Old Money Into a Trend
Social media has packaged the old money aesthetic into an easily digestible fantasy, where sepia-toned images of yacht parties sit next to carefully curated outfits that mimic the wardrobes of European aristocrats.
Zach Weiss, a writer and longtime enthusiast of the old money aesthetic, recalls first being captivated by the look as a teenager, drawn to the clean, classic styling of vintage tennis uniforms.
Back then, it was a personal discovery—something he found through books, old advertisements, and historical references.
Today, however, Gen Z’s approach is hyper-curated and self-aware, with influencers treating the aesthetic as a character to be played.
This new generation isn’t necessarily living the lifestyle—many are renting vintage Mercedes convertibles for photo shoots, posing in front of private estates, and staging luxury travel content.
“It’s like playing a role,” Weiss notes. “Dressing in this aesthetic is a way of tapping into a world most people can’t access. It’s not just about the clothes—it’s about what the clothes represent.”
Ford agrees, adding that TikTok and Instagram have flattened the nuances of old money dressing, reducing it to a set of easily recognisable signifiers: a cable-knit sweater thrown over a polo, a pearl necklace on a bare collarbone, a well-tailored blazer paired with scuffed loafers.
But what often gets lost in the translation is that true old money style isn’t always sleek and polished.
Many of its original adopters embraced a slightly dishevelled, worn-in look—an air of not trying too hard because effort itself suggests insecurity.
Ford points out that some of the most authentic old money pieces were considered ugly by mainstream standards: bright madras prints, lime-green trousers, and Nantucket red shorts that fade over time.
“These were clear signifiers of membership to a certain social class,” he explains. “But today’s TikTok versions often leave out these subtleties.”
The Influence of Pop Culture
The resurgence of old money fashion has been reinforced by films, television, and nostalgia for a time before modern excess. Several recent pop culture moments have played a role in reviving this aesthetic:
- Saltburn (2023) introduced younger audiences to the sumptuous, aristocratic excess of British high society, with its silk robes, tailored suiting, and sprawling country estates.
- Netflix’s upcoming adaptation of Ripley brings back the visual decadence of mid-century European wealth, reminiscent of the 1999 film The Talented Mr. Ripley, which remains one of the most referenced sources for old money dressing.
- Ralph Lauren’s vintage campaigns from the 1980s and 1990s continue circulating widely on social media, reinforcing the timeless appeal of polo shirts, tweed jackets, and perfectly cut trousers.
Even beyond fashion, luxury experiences tied to old money culture—drinking martinis at Bemelmans Bar in New York, vacationing in the Hamptons, sporting a vintage Rolex—have become part of the aspirational package.
‘Why Now?’ The Psychology Behind Modern Old Money Trend
The timing of the old money resurgence is no coincidence. Several cultural and economic factors have contributed to its appeal:
- A reaction to fast fashion and trend cycles – In an era where micro-trends come and go within weeks, the enduring nature of old money style provides stability and longevity.
- Post-pandemic dressing – After years of loungewear and athleisure, many people are eager to dress up again, but on their terms.
- Economic uncertainty – With homeownership out of reach for many young people and a sense that the American Dream is fading, dressing like old money offers a fantasy of stability and success.
Avery Trufelman, host of the Articles of Interest fashion podcast, sees the old money aesthetic as a response to overwhelming choice and constant change. “When people get tired of keeping up with trends, they return to what feels safe, classic, and unshakable,” she explains.
In the end, the old money aesthetic isn’t just about wealth—it’s about aspiration, nostalgia, and the longing for a world that feels both stable and effortlessly elegant.
And for Gen Z, that fantasy is just one carefully curated outfit away.
Style Like A True Gentleman
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