Old Money Style Guide - Dress Like True Aristocracy by Laurenti Arnault and Ru Amiri

In 1816, Beau Brummell revolutionised men's fashion, establishing what became the Old Money style—not merely clothes but a visual code communicating heritage developed over centuries. This code remains active today: Prince Charles has worn the same Patek Philippe watch since 1970, while Ralph Lauren built a $11 billion empire by commercialising this aesthetic.

This book reveals how Old Money dress evolved from European aristocratic origins to modern status markers. Discover why the navy blazer originated from British Royal Navy uniforms, where officers paid 23 shillings for brass buttons bearing personal family crests. Learn why penny loafers earned their name when 1930s Harvard students inserted actual pennies as a practical way to make emergency phone calls, transforming functional footwear into an Ivy League staple.

The Oxford button-down—first designed for 19th-century polo players needing collars that wouldn't flap at 30 mph—was later adopted by the eastern establishment as Brooks Brothers' most successful shirt, selling 30,000 weekly during the 1960s. The specific 28-stitch hand-rolled edge on a quality pocket square originated from Italian aristocrats who demanded this precise construction to distinguish their accessories from mass-produced alternatives.

In this book:

• Old Money wardrobe analysis, from the $8,500 bespoke suit to the seven-fold tie
• Guidance on selecting appropriate garments across 12 distinct social contexts
• In-depth exploration of accessories, including why Patek Philippe timepieces appreciate 39% annually
• Examination of how signature garments transformed from functional items to status symbols
• Insider rules distinguishing aristocratic dressing from imitation

Written by fashion experts Laurenti Arnault and Ru Amiri, with rare archival photography documenting style evolution from European courts to American country clubs, each with expert analysis of subtle details that separate genuine aristocratic taste from new wealth display.