Old Money Dresses: Classic Brands, Fabric Choices, Styling Tips
Old Money dresses embody a timeless elegance rooted in quality craftsmanship and subtle luxury. Rather than embracing loud logos, this style favors restraint, emphasizing rich fabrics, classic cuts, and careful detailing. Furthermore, in colder months, luxurious cashmere, wool, and silk provide both warmth and elegance, while, in contrast, breathable linen and cotton offer effortless grace for warmer seasons.
1. Old Money Dresses: Top Brands and Signature Styles
LORO PIANA– effortlessly combines luxurious materials with timeless elegance, crafting dresses that exemplify Old Money sophistication. In particular, this long bias-cut dress captures the brand’s signature refinement and meticulous attention to detail. With its lingerie-inspired comfort and airy pure linen fabric, the dress is designed to hug the figure gracefully. Furthermore, a fitted silhouette accentuates curves, while a V-neckline and adjustable shoulder straps provide an impeccable fit.
THE ROW – epitomizes minimalist sophistication! It’s hard to find anyone who can resist the brand’s pieces over the past couple of years. This relaxed knee-length tank dress, crafted from structured wool and silk, features a scooped neckline, dropped armholes, and a center back vent. The styling in this shoot is also interesting—pairing the dress with Old Money-style trousers for a unique and distinctive look.
KHAITE – bold, sensual, yet refreshingly simple. Known for impeccable texture and tailoring, the brand adds a modern edge to minimalist design. Notably, Kendall Jenner’s 2024 lilac yacht dress exemplifies elegance with its sleeveless cut, high neckline, and flattering fit-and-flare silhouette. Ideal for chic yacht parties or summer soirées, the floor-length design enhances its charm, adding a timeless yet modern flair.
LEMAIR – embodying French nonchalance and natural style—effortlessly delivers chic, relaxed elegance. This straight midi dress, crafted in Lemaire’s signature textured silk blend, enchants with its soft feel and subtle sheen. Additionally, the button closure extends to the waist, seamlessly transitioning into a wrap silhouette with a distinctive twist.
REFORMATION — a Los Angeles-based brand with a French vintage flair—has become a go-to for celebrities, especially in their off-duty style. In particular, the reddish-orange Sadey Linen Dress in Blood Orange embodies this appeal perfectly. Crafted from breathable linen, it features a tie-back neckline, a smocked back panel, a side slit, and a back zipper. As a result, this versatile maxi dress easily transitions from casual outings to formal events, offering both elegance and ease.
2. Fabric Choices for Old Money Dresses
Cashmere and Wool: Soft, warm, and elegant, cashmere and wool are the fabrics of choice for an autumn or winter Old Money wardrobe, offering both refined comfort and luxury for colder days.
The Row often introduces bold touches of red within its neutral palette, creating an eye-catching contrast. This season, the deep red ‘Gianna’ midi dress stands out, crafted from cashmere-jersey. Minimal elegance at its finest, the ‘Lilibet’ dress by The Row is made from a wool and silk-blend crepe. Designed in Italy, it boasts a chic boat neckline and a nipped-in waist with darted pleats, accentuating the silhouette.
Silk and Satin: With their smooth, flowing textures, silk and satin embody elegance and are perfect for evening events or formal occasions, offering a timeless and polished look.
Reformation’s silk charmeuse dress, crafted from 100% silk, features a halter neckline with adjustable straps, back buttons, and a tie detail for a flattering, customizable fit. The classic cut and refined fabric bring effortless sophistication to any evening look.
Loro Piana’s silk crepe dress embodies understated elegance and premium craftsmanship, perfect for formal or sophisticated occasions. Made from luxurious silk crepe, this dress offers a soft, slightly textured feel that drapes beautifully on the body.
Cotton and Linen: "Old Money" style dresses, based on cotton and linen materials, exude understated elegance and practical comfort. The delicacy of cotton and the natural texture of linen give each design a timeless, classic appeal. The natural feel of linen makes these dresses especially suitable for summer, offering breathability and a skin-friendly texture.
KHAITE’s dress leans on structured elegance with its pintuck detailing and contrast back buttons, adding an understated refinement typical of Old Money style. Loro Piana’s ‘Mina’ dress, with its Japanese-inspired linen infused with aloe, brings an artistic touch that maintains the sophisticated fluidity associated with the brand. Reformation’s option, meanwhile, is ideal for a more casual, yet classic, Old Money look—fitted at the bodice, flowing with a full skirt, and made entirely from lightweight linen, it’s timelessly charming and versatile.
Velvet：truly elevate "Old Money" style dresses, infusing them with a sense of luxury and historical charm.
Loro Piana’s velvet silk dress is a beautiful example, with its blend of plush velvet and lustrous silk adding richness and depth to the garment. This combination captures the opulence and sophistication associated with the style while maintaining an understated elegance.
3 . Styling Old Money Dresses
For styling “Old Money” dresses, this approach ensures a look that’s elegant and timeless:
Accessories: Pearl jewelry, a leather belt, or a silk scarf each add subtle sophistication without overpowering the dress.
Outerwear: A trench coat , tailored blazer and Old Money shirts enhances polish and refinement, making the look versatile across seasons.
Shoes: Classic Loafers, Ballet Flats, or Low Heels
Opt for polished, neutral footwear like loafers or low heels to maintain a balanced, timeless look.
Old Money dresses carry an effortless charm grounded in quality, heritage, and subtle elegance. Each piece emphasizes attention to detail, prioritizing classic silhouettes over trends. This aesthetic combines quiet sophistication with understated luxury, allowing these dresses to look refined and timeless, projecting confidence and taste without excess.