What Is Quiet Luxury: All About This Latest Trend
Reviewed By Isabella Montclair

In the realm of aesthetics, Quiet Luxury is akin to a whisper that commands a room more potently than a shout ever could. It’s an embodiment of understated elegance, signalling a refined taste without the need for ostentation.
Less is truly more.
Embracing this notion, Quiet Luxury prioritizes quality over quantity. It’s a celebration of craftsmanship where each piece resonates with the discerning eye for detail.
Defining Quiet Luxury
Quiet luxury stands as an homage to sophistication, selecting substance over showmanship in every context. It is a paradigm of minimalism, where luxury is not declaimed but discernibly perceived.
In this sphere, the value lies inherently in the thoughtfully curated and the meticulously crafted. Beloved by those with an appreciation for the nuanced, quiet luxury is less about opulence on display and more about inner contentment and sartorial intelligence.
Here, “understated” becomes synonymous with “exquisite,” creating an undercurrent of timeless elegance that speaks volumes in hushed tones.
Trademark Subtlety
Quiet luxury embodies grace without grandiosity, valuing the weight of elegance over the lure of the ornamental.
True sophistication is never loud; its resonance is found in the richness of minimalism and the deftness of design.
It is the language of luxurious whispers amidst a clamour of excess, a dialect that savours each detail, celebrates precision, and elevates simplicity to sophistication.
The essence of quiet luxury lies in the art of implication—where the mere suggestion of indulgence speaks more profoundly than any overt declaration of wealth.
Restraint as Elegance
In the realm of quiet luxury, less is decidedly more—a mantra for the measured and the selective. It’s a testament to a curated lifestyle that prioritizes enduring appeal over transient trends.
Sartorial selections are made with discernment, cultivating a look of polished simplicity. Every piece serves a purpose, complementing the wearer without clamour or competition.
This is a domain where sophistication is whispered through the language of textiles and the subtle interplay of colors, where the absence of the ostentatious becomes the crux of true magnificence. It’s an approach to style that reveres the spaces in between—the breaths of quiet that amplify the resonance of quality.
The philosophy of quiet luxury marries restraint with richness, envisaging fashion as a canvas for personal expression rather than a loudspeaker for status. Here, garments are not just crafted; they’re composed—a symphony of fibers and hues imbued with meaning. In this context, quiet luxury becomes a tribute to those who understand that elegance is not about being noticed, but about being remembered.
Origins and Influencers
Quiet luxury harks back to a time when discernment and taste transcended conspicuous consumption. Influencers of this trend are not celebrities or flamboyant personalities; they are the connoisseurs of craftsmanship, curators of simplicity, and arbiters of refined preference who appreciate subtlety and longevity in their wardrobe choices. Their influence is understated, yet it reverberates through the tenets of timeless fashion and conscious consumption.
The champions of quiet luxury are architects of an aesthetic that prizes the understated. They are the trendsetters who eschew the loud and the ephemeral for the quiet confidence that comes with pieces that boast an understated pedigree. Their endorsements are whispered in the hushed tones of exclusivity and echoed in the deliberate selection of garments that champion enduring style over fleeting fads.
The Movement’s Pioneers

Quiet luxury is manifested by the curated selections of those who value understated elegance over ostentatious displays.
- The Row – The Olsen twins’ label epitomizes minimalist sophistication.
- Celine – Under Phoebe Philo, Celine became a quiet luxury powerhouse.
- Loro Piana – This brand is renowned for its luxe cashmere and timeless design.
- Hermès – Hermès continues to be a bastion of discreet luxury and superior craftsmanship.
- Bottega Veneta – Famous for its motto, “When your own initials are enough,” reflecting its commitment to personal luxury.
- Agnona – An exemplar of sartorial finesse and sumptuous fabrics.
They craft legacies woven with the finest threads of subtlety and sophistication.
These labels and designers stand as sentinels of style, where the whispered prestige of their pieces speaks volumes to those who know.
Cultural Shifts
Reflecting societal trends, quiet luxury shifts the focus from conspicuous consumption to discernment and taste.
Since the early 2010s, a change has surfaced among mindful consumers, drawing them towards brands that embody authenticity, quality, and longevity rather than mere opulence.
This pivot mirrors a collective yearning for meaning and sustainability in fashion. It’s not just about owning premium items; it’s about curating a personal style narrative that carries significance beyond the label.
Acknowledging the environmental and ethical implications of fashion, quiet luxury adherents seek to harmonize their sartorial choices with a broader ethos of responsible consumption.
It’s a nuanced approach that values the narrative behind each meticulously crafted piece, championing enduring provenance over transient trendiness.
The Quiet Luxury Aesthetic

In the realm of quiet luxury, aesthetics are defined not by ostentation but by subtlety. Here, elegance is articulated through a refined palette, exquisite materials, and an unerring attention to detail. It’s an aesthetic that shuns loud logos and transient trends, instead embracing timeless design that resonates with understated sophistication.
This philosophy extends beyond mere appearance to encapsulate an experience—the tactile pleasure of cashmere, the satisfying click of a well-crafted closure, and the visual calm of harmonious lines. Every element is considered, creating a symphony of the senses that whispers luxury to the discerning individual.
Essentials of a Refined Wardrobe
Quality supersedes quantity in every respect.
In quiet luxury, less is decidedly more. A refined wardrobe is built on a foundation of premium-quality basics that eschew overt ornamentation for classic lines and impeccable craftsmanship. Each garment stands as a testament to meticulous selection, where the inherent value lies not in conspicuous branding but in the silent language of high-calibre fabrications and finishes. Here, investment is in longevity, not in fleeting fashion whims.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.
A precise edit of wardrobe staples is essential – think a perfectly tailored blazer, a crisp white shirt, timeless denim, and versatile knitwear. Each piece is a carefully chosen chapter in your personal style narrative, promoting not just an aesthetic, but a lifestyle that prizes subtlety and intrinsic quality.
Durability becomes a hallmark of elegance.
In charting a course for a wardrobe that embraces quiet luxury, one must give precedence to pieces that showcase resilient materials and artisanal savoir-faire. As we approach Spring 2023, anticipate a continued focus on sustainable practices that contribute positively to both your wardrobe and the environment. This thoughtful approach ensures that each piece not only endures season after season but resonates with a depth of character that’s emblematic of true quiet luxury.
The Color Palette and Materials
Monochrome whispers luxury more loudly than multicolour shouts.
Materials are chosen with meticulous attention to detail and provenance. The palette tends toward neutral, earthy tones that convey a timeless elegance, muted yet rich with understated sophistication. Here, textiles are at the apex of luxury – silks, cashmeres, and fine wools are favoured for their exquisite hand and longevity. Consequently, each piece becomes a tactile experience, a testament to the wearer’s discernment and the brand’s commitment to quality.
Restraint is expressed through the colour story.
It favours fabric quality over decorative excess – choosing fewer, better things is paramount. The collection’s ethos aligns with environmentally conscious choices, where organic cottons and recycled fibres reflect a brand’s responsible stewardship. These material choices, coupled with classic, enduring hues, contribute to a wardrobe that’s not just elegant but ethically grounded as well.
Quality manifests in texture and tone.
Sustainable luxury indeed reinforces a connection to the earth. Expect to see a blend of natural and innovative textiles, from linen to Tencel, that marry comfort with performance in the Spring 2023 collections. These garments embody an ethos of endurance, where the intrinsic aesthetic appeal is matched by a commitment to environmental responsibility, underpinning the essence of quiet luxury.
Embracing the Lifestyle
Quiet luxury requires a deliberate pivot from conspicuous consumption to understated elegance, reflecting a deep appreciation for craftsmanship over flamboyance. It is the embodiment of personal satisfaction, not public validation.
In this sphere, the value of an item is measured by its longevity and versatility, rather than its transient trendiness. To align with quiet luxury, one must seek out garments that offer timeless design, peerless quality, and a seamless integration into a curated wardrobe, rather than a collection of disparate pieces.
The pursuit of “less but better” becomes the maxim for those who live the quiet luxury lifestyle, fostering a nuanced perspective that prizes quality and tradition in every stitch and seam.
Mindful Consumption
Quiet luxury advocates for a conscious approach to purchasing, promoting the notion that less is indeed more. This ethos harmonizes with the principles of sustainability, ensuring each acquisition is both meaningful and enduring.
Adopting cautious selectivity ensures a refined and purposeful collection of items. The capstone of luxury lies within judicious choice.
This mindset encourages individuals to forsake the impulsive buying of mass-produced items in favour of investing in fewer high-calibre pieces that showcase exceptional craftsmanship and ethical production. Through this lens, the act of shopping transforms into a ritual of acquiring lifelong treasures.
By espousing the ideals of mindful consumption, one not only contributes to the shifting landscape of the fashion industry towards more ethical practices but also invests in a personal legacy of taste and discernment. In a world inundated with fast fashion and fleeting trends, the concept of quiet luxury serves as a sanctuary for those who value authenticity and longevity over ostentatious display.

The Art of Understatement
In the realm of quiet luxury, the mantra “less is more” resonates profoundly, reflecting a holistic approach to elegance that favours nuance over grandeur. This sophisticated philosophy is not about withdrawing from the luxury experience; rather, it embodies an evolved conception of opulence that finds its expression in subtlety.
Understatement speaks volumes in the lexicon of quiet luxury, eschewing flashy logos for the purity of design and impeccable craftsmanship. This paradigm champions the idea that true luxury is not loud but rather beautifully transmitted through the whisper of quality.
Indeed, the art of understatement is about conveying wealth not through obvious symbols but by understated elements that require a discerning eye to appreciate—like a seamlessly tailored garment or an exquisitely handcrafted accessory.
Entities embracing quiet luxury opt for textiles and materials with a legacy of excellence, meticulously selecting those which possess a timeless narrative. Pieces that articulate quiet luxury often engage in silent conversations, telling tales of heritage and meticulous attention to detail without a single spoken word.
Moreover, in a society captivated by instant gratification, quiet luxury stands as an antithesis, celebrating the meticulous process of creation and the intentional slow consumption of truly valuable acquisitions.
Thus, quiet luxury is an ode to the connoisseurs’ pursuit of sophistication—a narrative woven through the threads of modesty and restraint, beckoning to those who seek depth over decoration, authenticity over artifice.
Sources:
CNBC – How ‘Quiet Luxury’ is Subtly Taking Over Investor Portfolios
Bazaar – ‘Quiet Luxury’ isn’t Just a Lifestyle, it’s a Lifestyle
Business Insider – ‘Quiet Luxury’ is Back for The First Time Since the Great Recession
Byrdie – How Quiet Luxury Became The Definitive Trend of 2023
The Drum – Quiet Luxury: All You Need to Know About The 2023 Trend
Elle – What is Quiet Luxury And Why Is The Trend Louder Than Ever?
Business Insider – Quiet Luxury Explained: What Brands Stand to Benefit
Cindy Hattersley – How To Embrace The Quiet Luxury Trend Without Breaking The Bank
Fast Company – Quiet Luxury isn’t Just a Trend. It’s a Clever Business Model
Forbes – Quiet Luxury is Nothing New
InStyle – 9 Brands Defining the Quiet Luxury Trend
InStyle – What is Quiet Luxury? All About Fashion’s Current Wave of Understanding Elegance
Vogue – If You Pay Attention to One Trend This Season, Make It ‘Quiet Luxury’
WWD – Quiet Luxury Explained: A Trend or a Fashion Subculture That’s Gone Popular?