Neutral-toned classic pieces define old-money aesthetic, but as it turns out, it’s easy to nail the look even in the playful season of summer.
It’s that time of the year again when bright colors and bold patterns take over stores while shirts, dresses, and bottoms start to crop up. Yup, it’s official: summer is upon us. And although the fun and vibrant clothes of the season are definitely refreshing and tempting, there’s no denying that summer trends tend to pass swiftly.
Don’t get us wrong, though. There is joy in wearing eye-catching garments, especially when you’re relaxing at the beach or out on a thrilling adventure. Still, if you want to be proud of yourself for staying chic and elegant as you look back on your memories of summer 2025, then it’s time for you to embrace the “old money aesthetic.”
As the name suggests, the old-money aesthetic blew up on TikTok in 2021 as an ode to the stylish, effortless style of the social elite. It is a continuing trend that evokes timeless elegance and inherited wealth. It is characterized by looks that withstand time and fleeting trends. Clean lines, precise tailoring, and high-quality materials are the main staples of every season. Yes, even during the whimsical summer season.
This aesthetic will never go out of fashion as it focuses on investing in classic pieces in a muted color palette that will last for years. It’s about ditching the loud brand logos for a polished and sophisticated look.
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What’s also interesting about the old-money aesthetic is that it can be achieved by anyone willing to put a little effort into upgrading their wardrobe with the essentials. If you’re clueless about where to start, fast-fashion retailer Zara shared a few tips to The POST on how you can master the look.
The Spanish brand recently reopened its flagship store in Greenbelt 5, which expanded to three full floors of classic and trendy collections for men, women, teens, and children. During the event held on March 12, Zara Rockwell store manager Dan Amistad gave a few pointers, which you can find below.
Read on for tips on how to radiate “high-end” and “wealthy” while you’re out and about this summer season.
Play with the old-money color palette
The old-money aesthetic is all about refined sophistication, which is found in neutral tones like elegant whites, warm beige and creams, strong blacks, and earth-inspired browns. These colors are not only symbols of cleanliness, but they also allow you to create a variety of outfit options.
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Invest in quality classic pieces
Classic garments are key to the old-money aesthetic as they embody elegance and quiet luxury. They transcend fleeting trends and are often tailored with quality craftsmanship. Their minimalist designs, in addition, can easily be dressed up or dressed down for any occasion.
Versatile and chic pieces that are a must-have in your closet are white button-down shirts, beige or cream trousers, plain black dresses, brown jackets, as well as blazers in navy, gray, white, or black. For the summer season, Dan recommends garments made out of soft fabrics—particularly crepe and linen—as they allow air to pass through, making you feel comfortable despite the hot weather.
Accessorize with understated pieces
While summer is a fantastic time to accessorize, it’s important to remember that your choice of accessories can significantly impact your outfit. Steer clear of trendy items as they quickly go out of style. Instead, select timeless pieces, such as pearl earrings, a leather handbag, or gold watches, necklaces, and rings.
Want some pops of color? Dan suggests incorporating accessories like scarves, necklaces, or a handbag in hues that evoke luxury, such as navy blue, emerald green, and burgundy. Pastel tones like dusty pink, light blue and lavender are also ideal for when you want to add soft female vibes to your look.
To give you a better idea of how to achieve the old-money look even during the hot and playful season of summer, The POST asked Dan to create some chic outfits that you can score piece per piece at Zara Greenbelt 5 without having to spend a fortune.
Old-money outfits to cop this summer
Waistcoat and pleated pants are the perfect combo for an old-money outfit that you can strut in from the office to a lunch out with friends. For this ensemble, which Dan describes as “clean and sophisticated,” he took the white ZW Collection asymmetric waistcoat (P2,595) and paired it with a taupe high-waist flared trousers (P2,595).
While wearing a jacket during summer doesn’t make any sense, it sure does when you’re using a stylish rustic knit cardigan (P2,595) as an accessory tied around your neck. To finish the look, a statement necklace, such as Zara’s contrasting chain necklace (P1,595), is the perfect choice.
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While tailored pants are the standard for the old-money aesthetic, denim can be as classy as long as you know what to look for in a pair. Focus on high-quality jeans in dark washes, as they are more sophisticated than light washes. Make sure that they fit you perfectly, too, as “comfort is one of the things rich people prioritize in their clothes,” Dan said.
Then, elevate it with a classic white or light-colored button-down shirt and simple accessories. For this, Dan recommends its high-waist cropped jeans (P2,495) and crop linen blend shirt (P1,695) that you can accessorize with a dark brown leather belt with geometric buckle (P2,395) plus a denim bag with a red removable scarf (P2,395) for a pop of color.
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When it comes to skirts, those that speak old money are classic silhouettes like tailored midi or maxi skirts. Unlike very short skirts or those with excessive elements, flowy long skirts are both modish and elegant. Fabrics like linen and silk add a touch of sophistication, too.
For a look that’s not only classy but also playful, opt for a white ZW Collection cape midi skirt (P4,295) and pair it with a ZW Collection oversized waistcoat (P4,395) and a basic plain knit top (P1,395). Infuse a summer vibe into it using a printed neckerchief such as Zara’s viscose scarf (P1,395).
They say the old-money aesthetic is never too casual. But there sure are ways to achieve the look, even at the beach, where people tend to lean on comfortable, lightweight, and practical styles. The key here is to stick to simple and elegant pieces in natural fabrics like linen, cotton, and silk. Opt for well-fitting pieces in neutral colors like white, cream, and navy as well.
Subtle details can also add luxury touches to your look, just like the ZW Collection embroidered pyjama trousers (P4,395), which are both comfy and chic with their perforated embroidery detail at the bottom. To maintain your outfit’s elegance, pair your lightweight pants with a plain ribbed top (P795) plus a statement accessory, like Zara’s multi-strand necklace with beads (P2,595), for a dash of fun.
Another piece that’s best worn at the beach, a pair of shorts can also be styled the old-money way by pairing it with a button-down shirt or simple t-shirt. Jazz up the look by opting for embroidered tops like Zara’s white blouse with cutwork embroidery (P2,395), which Dan matched with a ribbed bandeau top (P545). A leather belt can also add a touch of sophistication to the outfit, and Zara’s Bermuda shorts with belt (P1,995) are here to do the trick.
Zara’s three-level boutique in Greenbelt 5 is located at the ground level of the mall on Legazpi Street, Ayala Center, Makati. It is open from 11 am to 10 pm daily and accepts in-store pickup of orders placed on the Zara app.
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