What does “luxury” actually mean? It is a term that has become thoroughly overused in modern society, used to describe everything from sports cars and holidays to mattresses and make-up – its ubiquity at odds with the exclusivity it’s supposed to denote. In the fashion industry, a world ruled by brand hierarchy, the categorisation of luxury has remained relatively consistent, however the aesthetics have shifted with the decades: from the full-skirted femininity of Dior’s New Look to the logo-clad mania of the Noughties. So, what does luxury look like in 2023?
Thanks to the pared-back stylings of brands such as The Row, Bottega Veneta and Khaite, we have seen a return to a more low-key approach to luxury – “quiet luxury” as some people are calling it. It’s less austere than minimalism, but more polished than “nomcore”. It’s Sienna Miller in Anatomy Of A Scandal meets off-duty Olsen twins; it’s a battered Hermès Kelly bag or a £1,000 camel coat thrown over an ancient pair of vintage jeans.
Confused? We admit that it’s not an easy aesthetic to pin down, and it’s more of a mood more than anything else, but if we know one thing, it’s that “quiet luxury” is a look that will stand the test of time, as it’s essentially a synonym for elevated basics. So, to get you started, we’ve compiled a list of six pieces that will help you on your way to creating 2023’s “quiet luxury” look. From Saint Laurent’s sculptural jackets to Brunello Cucinelli’s nonchalant trousers, scroll down to see and shop our edit.
The sculptural jacket
The luxe layers
The nonchalant trousers
The clean-lined skirt
The cool-girl flats
The trophy bag
