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The term ‘Quiet Luxury’ has been swirling around the internet since the spring fashion season began this year namely with the brands of Khaite, The Row, Max Mara and Bottega Veneta as well as a few other headlining events in current culture – Gwyneth Paltrow in Park City and the final season of Succession; however, it goes far beyond fashion.
Along with the ebbing of the economy, the idea of living quietly luxuriously or stealthily exhibiting your wealth has come back into conversation, but such a term, as Time magazine pointed out, is far from new or original. In fact, many historians argue it started with the French following the revolution in 1799, when those who rose after the fall of the French monarchy “turn[ed] away from powdered wigs and floral-brocaded suits covered with lace . . .” and turned toward “a uniform, the dark suit . . . becomes the respectable uniform if you want to be both powerful and understated.”
With that said, it’s important to note, Quiet Luxury is not entirely all about one’s sartorial choices, and after reading the slew of articles about its definition, it is Harper’s Bazaar’s article that offered the most detail beyond the wardrobe component. If prior to knowing about Quiet Luxury, your style or preference leaned entirely in a different direction, then the concept of ‘quiet luxury’ will be a trend to follow and recede into the archives of history of your life journey when it is no longer in favor with the masses, BUT if you came across this ‘newly’ coined term and thought to yourself, “Well, that’s how I prefer to live and now I have a name for it”, then the over-arching objective for adhering to Quiet Luxury will be significantly different than for the previously mentioned group that chooses to observe and embody this lifestyle movement.
How I differentiate the two comes down to the intention each individual chooses to heed a lifestyle of Quiet Luxury: The former group desires to intentionally communicate wealth quietly to the outside world (IYKYK = if you know you know), creating a “tribe” of exclusivity and a feeling as to belong in a certain societal group; whereas the latter group seeks no attention, yet finds fulfillment and inner calm and peace as they savor and appreciate the life they love living without seeking applause; should the outside world place them in a particular ‘group’, that is the onlooker’s choice, not needed or sought after by the one living the life being commented upon. Ultimately, the difference will only be known to each person choosing to live a life of Quiet Luxury which is what makes the chosen term of the season all the more apt.
It is the latter group that I have a feeling many TSLL readers will find themselves, not because they wanted to be part of a group, but because they prefer such an approach to living as to find fulfillment and deep contentment. To the latter group, to focus on what the broader culture at the moment labels Quiet Luxury is to know through living in such a way long before it was trendy is to enable the noise of the world to lessen so that we can go about the business of fulfilling our purpose which will be unique to each of us. So while there are differences and key subtleties to note, especially regarding the intention behind following the trend, the similarities are plentiful.
After all, the entire fundamental premise of living simply luxuriously is to live a life of quality over quantity as to ground ourselves and each day of our lives in contentment, so that no matter what is happening in the world or with the people that surround us, this includes the economy as well as those we love and the journey they are traveling, we rest at ease knowing we have the necessary skills to handle well each day’s events, participating fully and bravely sharing our unique selves with the world. To invest in quality either monetarily or with our time and attention, we begin to build a life we enjoy living in the everyday as well as the once-in-a-lifetime moments. And that is what Quiet Luxury is all about, primarily, if we choose to dive deeper beyond what is seen or ‘not wanting to be seen’. So let’s now take a look at the definitions of both Quiet Luxury based on the bevy of articles I have read published in the past two months and situate it next to the definition of living simply luxuriously.
~Note about the links: Quiet Luxury links found in the list below connect to various articles posted on the topic; Living Simply Luxuriously links connect to further detailed reading on that topic as written about here on TSLL blog.
Quiet Luxury
- “Clothing of the highest quality, but also clothing that has timelessness, is sophisticated and understated,” Thomaï Serdari, director of the fashion and luxury MBA program at NYU’s Stern School of Business
- 100% logo-less
- Classic, timeless styles, modesty, yet perfect tailoring
- Key items that only a subset of those ‘in the know’ recognize you are wearing
- Investing in high quality items that will last and wear well for a lifetime
- Neutrals
- Stunning fabrics and textures
- Elevated basics
- Example: Wearing an elevated luxury coat (sans logo) over a pair of vintage jeans. So mixing high and low appearances, but still both high quality investment items.
- “A harmony in the colour palette, in different textures and shapes”
- Easy elegance, ‘good taste’, refinement
- The return of beloved minimalist and refined luxury Parisian-born British designer Phoebe Philo (look for her collection in September ’23)
- BEYOND THE CLOTHING, It’s giving attention and priority to Premium Basics in all areas of life (not only things):
- Taking care of yourself well: health (mental and physical), skincare, beauty (a timeless haircut and colour, radiant skin that shines with just a touch of makeup rather than obvious use of makeup)
- Having the time to workout well and often
- Choosing to host intimate dinner parties at home rather than dine out at the latest ‘it’ restaurant with those whose company beyond your household inhabitants you enjoy.
- Enjoying living your life privately without having to prove to the world through either social media or conversation how you live well.
- Having the time to take long, leisurely walks with your pups and/or people you love and enjoy their company.
- It’s how you act: thoughtful in your actions – thank you cards written and chosen with intention, giving gifts big with meaning, not necessarily expense; volunteering or supporting causes without needing recognition.
- “A quiet confidence not only in one’s wardrobe, style and social life, but in herself – which, some might argue, is the biggest luxury of all.”
Living Simply Luxuriously
- A life of quality over quantity in every arena of our lives
- Honoring our true self.
- Not being led around by the nose whether it comes to trends, social norms, cultural expectations for our life journey.
- Investing in style and ignoring trends in both our wardrobe and home décor.
- Cost per wear – investing in the best quality we can afford, buying fewer but better items; each that can mix and match well with at least two items in our wardrobe.
- No bling or exhibition of brands or logos
- Subtle sophistication and style appearing effortless
- Choosing clothing, accessories that while high quality are tailored to how we live and suit our life and individual style best.
- Living mindfully which involves being fully present, exercising our mind and thus having control over our thoughts, exercising self-awareness and awareness of the world around us.
- Having a calm inner peace due to being grounded in contentment.
- Not seeking approval from the outer world as we have found peace within which enables us to let go, knowing we only have control over our mind, our decisions and our actions, not all that swirls around us and outside of us.
- Understanding what true wealth actually is and what it is not.
I have no doubt, just as the Minimalist movement that came into its time following the Great Recession and has now largely disappeared from the broader culture as the ‘it’ trend in both décor and clothing, so too will Quiet Luxury when again the economy is thriving and people feel more comfortable to express their success. And when this shift takes place, that is when we will know and observe what the intention for adhering to the Quiet Luxury ideals were for each person, brand and business. Understandably, businesses and brands need to meet their consumers where they are and exhibit understanding of the economic situation for marketing to work, but as individuals, to blindly follow one trend to the next is to ignore a vital component necessary for finding and experiencing fulfillment and contentment.
Here on The Simply Luxurious Life and in our community, we have been talking and writing about living in such a way, a life of quality over quantity in every arena of our lives since the blog began in 2009, and as readers and listeners from the around the world have shared, it is when we pare down, not to bare bones, but to what we need to nourish us, our unique selves, our true selves, paired with setting boundaries, that we can thrive and consequently, can share with the world what we can uniquely contribute. This is the moment a simply luxurious life becomes our modus operandi and we experience a life of true contentment, an everyday life that sings. There is no one specific formula, but the fundamentals remain the same. Those fundamentals are available for each of us to understand and our choice to invest in, and they make all the difference to knowing what living well will look like for each of us.
Explore TSLL’s 2nd book and specifically Chapters 8 & 9 where the Toolbox of Skills and Strengths are shared in-depth.
SIMILAR POSTS/EPISODES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:
Small & Simple = A Grand & Full Life, episode #97
1st episode of The Simple Sophisticate podcast: 8 Pillars of Building a Simply Luxurious Life
Thank you Shannon for another informative and Lovely post. I’m hoping this latest trend will encourage more designers to remove logos. To me, logos are quite annoying. I prefer the quality of the item and don’t care to show off the name of the designer. I’m reading today’s post from a quiet and luxurious accommodation in Oxford, England.
Wishing you a wonderful holiday in England! How soothing and special. Grateful you stopped by today. Different brands definitely know their audiences (their particular shoppers), so if having a brand works, they will keep it; if it doesn’t, they won’t. The consumer is powerful – where we spend our money is how we communicate. Thank you again for visiting TSLL blog today and bonne journée or should I say, cheers!
I am in complete agreement! So many times I like the shape and style, however, would prefer not to have logos covering the item.
Have a lovely trip.
Enjoy Ocford tk. Lovely Spring weather I have just teturned to France after visiting family in Sussex If you’re looking for a great restaurant check out Le Manoir aux Quatre Saisons just outside Oxford. Michelin starred chef Raymond Blanc is a genius. Kameela ?
Thank you so much for this article. I learn so much from you. You are a great teacher. I took a ton of notes. I actually have a notebook and frequently take notes from many of your articles (written posts).
ps.I think of logos as advertising for the company
best regards, Emilie
Emilie,
Thank you for stopping by Emilie. And you are exactly right, logos are continued advertisement we pay (so the company doesn’t have to, and we choose to do it, so I get why they do it monetarily – it’s not a bad approach, but, if we don’t want to be a walking billboard, not having the brands name is nice).
Shannon, you are a great teacher (agree!). In a world full of instant gratification, combined with social media attention seekers, your words are a reminder of what true quality is, combined with confidence and humility.
Your words feel like a soothing balm in a somewhat frenetic, lost society.
Thank you.
Jen,
Thank you for your words my friend. 🙂 xoxo
Shannon~
As I read today’s post, I am sipping on a cup of Palais Des Thes l’Herboriste No. 52 (peppermint, anise, and lemon balm) and listening to Alexis Ffrench’s “Papillon” (which was just a coincidence, however fitting). The the’ is a new purchase as was the Sencha Ariake green tea that I had this morning. Both are very good and I appreciate your recommendation, as always.
Why, Shannon! Aren’t you the trendsetter? Too bad it has taken almost fifteen years for others to see the light :). I cannot imagine living any other way now that I have chosen the Simply Luxurious way of life so it will never be a fad for me. Thanks for all the information and research you have done to give us an opportunity to live in such a way.
By the by. I am not sure if you have seen Restless on Acorn with Michelle Dockery, but I did enjoy it, so it may be something you like as well.
Have a fabulous week!
~Michelle
Michelle,
The picture you have painted in my mind as I read your comment made me smile and relax even in imagining it! Thank you for sharing with us all. Oh! And thank you for bringing to my attention to Restless! How did I miss this? I have it on my watchlist now. 🙂 Happy to hear this post spoke to you and the surfacing of this new term is a testament to doing what you know and feel is best for you regardless of what society thinks. Sometimes they will agree (or for a duration as in a trend) and sometimes they will not (when the trend fades) and that is okay because it wasn’t for approval of the outside world anyway. That is contentment and that makes life all the sweeter to live. 🙂 Thank you for stopping by and joining the conversation on the topic. Have a great day!
Bonne journée
I enjoyed Restless, too!
I am sold! I will start watching ASAP! 🙂
A fabulous post and great food for thought as I consider my own spring and summer wardrobe. I don’t mind the classic, subtle logo (Ralph Lauren horse or subtle print of LV logos on a bag) but the larger screaming logos do not suit me either. As I consider my wardrobe for this season and next, I am contemplating “enough.” I have invested and chosen wisely so I do have many basics that I do truly enjoy. So why do I constantly look for more or think I need yet something else. Your words on contentment rang true. I realized I purchased my pieces because I knew they would be timeless and I don’t need to save them for some future date. Now is the time to enjoy them and that means actually wearing them. It is so helpful for me to have less in my closet. It brightens my day to open the door to a carefully chosen “boutique” moment every morning. Thank you for your thoughtful words to what I have been feeling all along.
Jenifer,
I love the imagery that having ’boutique’ in our wardrobe closet creates in the mind. THAT is helpful and I thank you for sharing your approach and how it appears and feels in your everyday life. Thank you for your comment on this topic today. 🙂
Jenifer a great way to think of your wardrobe as your ’boutique’ . I too like to shop my wardrobe. I hate logos which shout “look at me”look at me no matter how expensive. Have fun in your boutique. Kameela ?
Shannon I think it’s the concept of quiet luxury which enticed me to TSLL in the first place I dislike ostentation and prefer subtle details in whatever I choose to spend my money on. I prefer to buy from small companies that do not.mass.produce.Buying quality items mean you can savour the items for years to come. If one is confident in one’s skin then you don’t need props to shine. Your personality should be the characteristic which gets you noticed not the label or logo . For some though logos and labels could be a type of armour because of a lack of confidence or just poor taste.
Another lovely and thought-provoking post, Shannon! As I read the post and comparison columns, it struck me that major difference between the trend and the lifestyle philosophy of a simply luxurious life is money. One need not have a burgeoning bank account to live simply luxuriously, a point you return to several times in your books, and one I deeply appreciate. I love that you hit on another difference: that of impetus (or motivation). What motivates someone from choosing quiet luxury compared to someone choosing a simply luxurious lifestyle? I believe those in this community would have an answer, and those answers might vary among us, but I feel sure that “following a nifty trend” would not likely be one of the reasons. 🙂 Happy weekend!
Ellen,
Thank you for stopping by! You have pointed out a key distinction. Thank you for sharing with so much clarity. You understand the core components of living simply luxuriously. And to answer your question, I think you are quite right. 🙂 Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts. I enjoyed reading your comment. xo
A lovely and thought-provoking essay, Shannon. Thank you! 🙂
I’ve no idea how a question mark made its way in my name! 🙂
Jeanine, you can go in after logging in and on your Dashboard, click “Display Name” and update it as you would like. 🙂
Thank you, Shannon. I hope you’re having a lovely day. Here in Wisconsin…the snow is gently falling. NOT PLEASED 🙂