The VOU's Complete Guide to Old Money Colours for Fashion

"Remember when Mark Zuckerberg's endless parade of grey t-shirts became Silicon Valley's misguided attempt at 'quiet luxury', or when Kim Kardashian's monochromatic beige season missed the mark on true Old Money elegance?"

Written by Laurenti Arnault, a luxury fashion PhD holder with over two decades of front-row fashion experience, and Ru Amiri, a sustainable fashion expert with extensive haute-couture collaborations, this comprehensive fashion guide decodes the powerful language of colour in Old Money style.

Through several cautionary but engaging fashion tales, the authors reveal how the strategic use of colour has always been the secret weapon of genuine aristocratic style.

The guide brilliantly dissects every colour and shade of the entire Old Money palette, from the precise shade of "Mainsail White" (historically used in Newport sailing club blazers to reflect maximum sunlight) to the legendary "Nantucket Red" (which began in 1945 when Philip Murray noticed how the salt air and sun of Nantucket Island transformed his red canvas pants into a distinctive salmon pink – a color that would become synonymous with East Coast privilege), to the specific tone of "Summer Sea Blue" (developed by Brooks Brothers in 1896 to match the colour of the Atlantic at dawn).

You'll discover why the specific shade of British Racing Green became a staple of old money wardrobes (it was originally chosen to skirt an 1903 ban on automotive racing), and why certain pastel combinations appear disproportionately in heritage fashion houses' archives.

Beyond just colour theory, this is a masterclass in the psychology of understated luxury. Learn why Ralph Lauren's most successful collections consistently feature no more than seven specific shades, why the legendary Gianni Agnelli insisted on navy blue suits exactly three shades darker than the Mediterranean at noon, and how the precise colour combination of gold and hunter green became synonymous with old money sophistication through its association with America's most exclusive country clubs.

Whether you're interested in the historical significance of "Sailor Red" (originally used to signal distress at sea) or seeking practical advice on building a wardrobe that whispers rather than shouts, this guide transforms seemingly simple colour choices into a fascinating journey through fashion history. The book is an indispensable resource for anyone who wants to understand and master the subtle art of old money elegance through the strategic use of colour.

As the authors note: "Old Money colours are never just colours but a silent language of sophistication, heritage, and belonging. Once you understand its grammar, you'll never look at a 'simple' navy blazer the same way again."