Gwenyth Paltrow-this and Gwenyth Paltrow-that, in March, the internet took an absolute frenzy to Paltrow’s “Quiet Luxury” style while she was on trial for a 2016 skiing incident that took place at a resort in Utah. Although Paltrow was donning brands such as Prada, Celine, The Row, and Proenza Schouler- you may never know it, as there wasn’t a logo in sight. But I didn’t find Paltrow’s style to be particularly noteworthy, it was professional, conservative, and in muted colors of beige. Certainly, the only thing Vogue-worthy was the labels attached. But correct me if I’m wrong, isn’t the idea of quiet luxury to ignore high-end labels?
Last month, In a viral TikTok, Madison Van Doren explains the “rules of the wealthy”, decoding the niche taboos of the ultra-rich, drawing on her own experience as someone who grew up in an affluent family. Changing people’s perceptions by stating, you absolutely MUST carry an LL. Bean bag and should NEVER dare carry a Louis Vuitton bag or wear red bottom Louboutins. Additionally, posting things such as ski trips, boat days, or vacations on social media is heavily frowned upon. However, all this is quite in contrast to Paltrow’s $3 mil ski incident trial, equipped with an equally gaudy outfit to match every day of the gaudy affair (not much quiet in that).
These two differing opinions brought me to the question: “What is a quiet luxury, where did it come from?”( and does it matter?)
Quiet luxury is high quality, but also simple, timeless- And boring? Gwenyth Paltrow’s ski trial accouterments succeeded in blending in with their drab courtroom surroundings if that was the goal. I (personally) didn’t find her beige knits to be groundbreaking, putting the quiet in quiet luxury. But nonetheless, these are surely high-quality, simple, and timeless basics.
Back to Van Doren’s point, however, left out of stealth wealth/ quiet luxury/ old money talk are brands like LL. Bean, Patagonia, TEVA, Hunter – all outdoorsy brands you may associate with workwear. But is that the real quiet luxury? After all, quiet luxury is all about high-quality basics, timelessness, and subtlety. These old brands haven’t changed many of their designs in decades. An LL. Bean backpack, for example, used to come with a lifetime warranty and an LL. Bean sleeping bag cannot be beaten in quality, as well as being virtually indestructible. While TEVAs are a staple for those sending their kids to summer camp or summer in general. Perhaps “Quiet Luxury” should refer to the luxury of comfort provided by staple brands- rather than the underwhelming outfit choices of the painstakingly rich.
At the end of the day “Quiet Luxury” does exist but it has nothing to do with The Row and Celine, or a $3 mil ski trial. Because there really isn’t much quiet about an Italian-made, Alpaca wool Celine cardigan- everyone can tell it’s expensive. But it shouldn’t matter whether quiet luxury is in or out or what Gwenyth Paltrow is wearing because quite frankly, it’s boring, it’s putting way too much attention on clothes that simply don’t deserve it, dress how you want but “Quiet Luxury” is a bore in my opinion.
