The old money aesthetic is gaining popularity among Gen Z, reflecting a shift in fashion sensibilities as they explore timeless elegance rooted in history.

The fascination with affluent dressing has taken on new dimensions, particularly among Gen Z, who has emerged as a key demographic eager to explore and emulate what is referred to as the “old money aesthetic.” According to a recent article in GQ, this trend has manifested through an abundance of images and videos shared across social media platforms, with particular emphasis on Instagram, where the hashtag #OldMoney boasts nearly one million posts and #OldMoneyAesthetic has around 360,000 followers.

This aesthetic draws on elements from mid-20th century East Coast elite fashion, prominently featuring items such as cable-knit sweaters over polo shirts, oxford shirts, and navy blazers. Influential figures in this genre include style icons like Carolyn Bessette and John F. Kennedy Jr., as well as characters from popular media, such as Dickie Greenleaf from “The Talented Mr. Ripley.” The clothing represents a style dedicated to timeless elegance, favoring longevity and classic cuts over trends.

Zach Weiss, a writer and aficionado of the old money aesthetic, shared insights about the phenomenon. He noted, “It’s interesting to see younger generations fetishize these things.” Weiss recounts his personal journey into this sartorial world, beginning in high school when he sought an alternative to the casual attire typical of young athletes at the time. He eventually discovered a more refined tennis style that included Lacoste polos and crisp whites, which heavily influenced his own fashion sense today.

Now aged 31, Weiss reflects on the current trend with a sense of intrigue. “This new generation seems really self-aware, and the old money look is like a character you can play,” he remarked, emphasizing how the aesthetic has been reinterpreted by younger audiences for social media consumption. He further illustrated this by recalling an incident at the US Open when his dapper ensemble—a white blazer, banker-striped shirt, and yellow tie—attracted attention from onlookers, including notable celebrities Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner seated nearby.

Richard Thompson Ford, a law professor at Stanford University and author of “Dress Codes: How the Laws of Fashion Made History,” provided a broader definition of the old money aesthetics. He describes it as attire that evokes the elite of mid-20th century East Coast society, often suitable for prep school settings or Ivy League campuses. He characterized the clothing as quintessentially classic and durable, capable of being worn both today and a century ago without appearing outdated. Ford noted that although the term “preppy” may have sufficed to describe such styles a couple of decades ago, its meaning has evolved for the Gen Z crowd, who now define it through a different lens.

This resurgence of the old money aesthetic signals an intriguing shift in fashion sensibilities among the younger generations, who are not only adopting but also redefining what it means to dress with timeless elegance rooted in history.

Source: Noah Wire Services