What is Quiet Luxury?
by Igor Monte updated 09-01-2025
Quiet luxury is a style concept that values quality and elegance without showing off.
It focuses on well-made, timeless designs and avoids flashy logos or prominent branding.
Quiet luxury is often associated with subtle sophistication and discretion, appealing to those who value substance and exclusivity over showiness.
It's also called stealth wealth, silent luxury, and old money aesthetic.
How Did Quiet Luxury Evolve?
You can gain a greater appreciation of quiet luxury when you understand its roots.
- The History of Quiet Luxury: Quiet luxury gained popularity in response to ostentatious displays of wealth often seen in the 1980s. During the 90s and 00s, “stealth wealth” became more popular with people who wanted to display their status through the quality of their possessions rather than flashy designs.
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Modern Influences: The quiet luxury of today is linked to passions for mindful consumption, minimalism, and sustainability. Don’t just see quiet luxury as a fashion choice. It is regarded as a lifestyle that has been shaped by the modern world’s values (source).
Prioritizing Quality Over Quantity
Right at the center of this movement is a commitment to owning fewer goods but prioritizing quality.
This approach allows you to cut out clutter both in your closet and life and improve the experience of owning your possessions.
Why Craftsmanship Is So Important
All items have a story, and in this context, the story is focused upon outstanding attention to detail.
- Bespoke Pieces That Transform Comfort: Imagine owning a custom-made suit. Each stitch has been carefully adjusted to match your specific proportions. Compare this experience to wearing a more generic, off-the-rack outfit. The custom piece will fit your body perfectly and enhance the way you move and feel, giving you exceptional comfort and confidence.
- Materials That Endure With Gracce: Choose fabrics that develop character over time. For example:
- Full-grain vegetable-tanned Italian leather develops a beautiful patina that is reflective of years of use (which is why we use it here at Von Baer), but lower-quality leather will deteriorate over time.
- Cashmere becomes softer and more luxurious if you take proper care of it, but synthetic blends will degrade.
- Excellence in Detail: Look for brands that are artisans with a great reputation for flawless production processes. Research their methods, visit their workshops, and consider speaking to the creators directly if you can. Forming a personal connection allows you to make each purchase more meaningful.
Practical Tip:
Start the process with simple items, focussing on daily essentials. Replace your disposable purchases with investments that will serve you well for years to come. Maybe you’re planning on buying a pair of shoes? If so, find a cobbler in your area who’ll be able to resolve them when this is required so your purchase becomes a lifetime asset.
Celebrate Timeless Designs
Image above: Isabella
With this approach, you get the chance to embrace a more complex form of simplicity.
Why Does Timeless Design Stand Out?
Think about your home or wardrobe and what separates the timeless from the temporary. These are normally factors like balance, proportion, and material choices .
- Neutral But Adaptable Pieces: A neutral camel coat will give you an understated sense of elegance and clean lines, which means it's appropriate for both evenings out and client meetings.
- Durability That Works With Multiple Roles: Its value is largely about its adaptability. Look for pieces that can effortlessly transition between occasions to help you cut down on choice fatigue.
- Form Blended With Function: A minimalist watch that has intricate Swiss movements blends visual restraint with technical excellence.
Actionable Advice:
When you’re buying something new, ask yourself:
- Will this fit into multiple scenarios in my life?
- Is this piece aligned with how I wish to be perceived in five years' time?
Timeless design is always about investing in making your personal style future-proof.
Invest in Subtle Exclusivity
Image above: Washington
In this context, exclusivity isn’t just about restricted access. It’s also focused on selecting experiences or products that feel very personal to you.
When you’re focusing on aligning with your values rather than impressing other people, your choices begin to have a deeper meaning.
How to Identify True Exclusivity
- Brands That Have Depth and Integrity: Some brands represent exclusivity not via publicity but by focusing more on substance. Think about:
- Loro Piana’s passion for sourcing the rarest vicuña wool.
- Brunello Cucinelli’s commitment to ethical production processes in Solomeo, Italy.
- Research Stories Which Resonate With You: Although the watch might appear to be minimalist, its mechanism could be the work of a family-run Swiss workshop that has been fine-tuning its craft for generation after generation.
- Ethical Practices Give More Meaning: Supporting brands that prioritize sustainability and fair labor practices will give your choices more depth.
How to Begin:
Start by exploring the work of lesser-known brands and artisans whose values match yours. For example, you could choose a quality tailor in your city who can create something completely unique for you rather than purchasing a designer suit from a better-known brand.
Expand Discreet Luxury Beyond Mere Possessions
Image above: Superior
Quiet luxury doesn’t just end with the items that you own. It’s about thoughtful living across every part of your life.
Create Purposeful Spaces
- Objects Which Feel Essential: Think of returning home to a space where every object serves a real emotional purpose as well as a functional one.
- Spaces designed around this philosophy prioritize natural materials, including reclaimed wood, hand-thrown ceramics, and textured linens.
- This approach helps you create a home that feels both alive and grounding.
- Sustainable Simplicity: Instead of purchasing mass-produced furniture, look for durable vintage or bespoke items that have a strong sense of history.
- Lighting to Set Moods: Simple, well-placed lamps can make your evenings feel luxurious in ways that less classy chandeliers cannot.
Thoughtful Travel Rather Than Flashy Destinations
Image above: Weekender
Quality travel experiences don’t have to mean flying first class—it can mean creating trips that nourish both your mind and soul.
- Exchange crowded hotspots for serene locations such as quiet cabins by the lake.
- Plan a private tour led by a local expert rather than using a generic itinerary.
Practical Tip:
Research experiences that focus on quality over quantity. These could include:
- Dining at a farm-to-table restaurant with a small but lovingly crafted seasonal menu.
- Attending an intimate concert for a modest audience rather than a large stadium show.
Addressing Common Misconceptions
You can avoid misunderstandings by clarifying what quiet luxury is rather than what isn’t.
- Not Just for Wealthy Individuals: While certain items are undeniably expensive, quiet luxury is more focused on prioritizing long-term value over impulsive buys. It’s possible to invest in a small number of high-quality items over time, even if you don’t have the budget of a more affluent person.
- Not to be confused with Minimalism: Although quiet luxury can overlap with minimalism, it’s distinct due to its focus on craftsmanship, materials, and richness in details rather than simply owning less.
Let Understatement Be a Reflection of Your Confidence
Image above: W1
At its core, this lifestyle reflects self-assurance and lets the world know you’re not desperate for validation, as you have already provided it to yourself.
How This Shift Can Change Your Perspective
When you stop following trends, you can focus on the things that truly make your life better.
Although the process could feel underwhelming initially, you’ll realize how owning a small amount of high-quality things can bring a sense of richness to your life that you didn’t realize you were missing.
Practical Exercise:
Start decluttering by focusing on a single category in your life, like your workspace or wardrobe. You can then replace old items with two or three items of very high quality. You’ll soon see how these changes shift your outlook for the better and make it less likely that you’ll settle for disposable items of lower quality in other areas of your life.
Looking for a quiet luxury gift? We have a range here.
It's Time To Embrace Luxury (Quietly)
When you follow these principles, you are opting for a lifestyle that is all about authenticity and thoughtfulness.
Each choice you make – whether it’s a chair, coat, or a weekend trip will give you a chance to invest in comfort, meaning, and long-term satisfaction.
Quiet luxury isn’t merely about appearances; it’s about crafting a life that is a true reflection of who you are.
We have some great gift ideas here.
Extra source: https://pdf.sciencedirectassets.com/277811/1-s2.0-S1877042814X00261/1-s2.0-S1877042814029474/main.pdf
Author: Igor Monte
Igor Monte is the co-founder of Von Baer. He's an expert in all things premium leather, from being an end-user right up to the design and manufacturing process. His inside knowledge will help you choose the best leather product for you.
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