Everyone on TikTok Is Talking About “Old Money Aesthetic”—Here’s What It Means

Raise your hand if you’ve ever cringed looking at your weekly screentime report (don’t worry, mine is abysmal too). While there’s no arguing that many of us would benefit from going out to “touch grass” more, occasionally, there’s something to gain from spending copious hours online—e.g., knowledge about global events, community building, and even a few cute outfit ideas. But possibly one of the best things about social media is that it allows us not only to create or follow but to contemplate. 

On a larger scale, these platforms have played a pivotal role in giving marginalized communities the platform to speak up and question society’s power structures. And on a personal level, they’ve changed how we relate to every aspect of our lives, including clothing. When a fashion trend takes off on TikTok, it may seem trite, but it’s actually saying way more about society than we think. A prime example of this is the recent rise of the “old money” fashion aesthetic.

Across Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, and various media publications (including our very own), we’ve seen an amalgamation of coverage centered around phrases like “quiet luxury,” “stealth wealth,” or “old money dressing.” While the terms may differ, make no mistake, this idea is centered on discerning how wealth is displayed through clothing. It’s a concept that has invoked strong emotions of contempt and approval.