Am i the only one slightly tired of the obsession of elegant bags ?

[Shelby33]

My comment has nothing to do with style because any style can have quality items that are cared for (even when well worn and well loved).

What I don’t ever think looks good is wearing raggedy, torn, scuffed items that show no care has been taken with them. That isn’t a rocker style, that’s being unkempt and careless.

Personally, I’m sick to death of aspirations to being “old money.” That being said, having high quality, long wearing, forever beautiful items is certainly my preference. I don’t like disposable fashion for a hundred reasons and would love for everything I own to last for decades.

I hope the trend dies. It’s created an army of bland copycat looks. Plus, I never understand why anyone aspires to look like something they’re not. If you’re “old money” great. Revel in your style. If you identify as some other socioeconomic group, live that fully.

I like color and creative expression. Beige and plain will never work for me.

I am extremely tired of the "old money" aspirations too. And what does it even matter, either you were born into money or you made the money yourself, how can there be shame in making your own money?
Beige and plain is awful, like the "sad beige moms".

 

[Vintage Leather]

I have a sneaky suspicion we’re moving from a period of “quiet luxury” back into the ‘08-‘12 “Silent Luxury”.

It will be interesting to see how aesthetic and economic demands intersect.

 

[Pollie-Jean]

^^ what's the difference ?

 

[Vintage Leather]

^^ what's the difference ?

Quiet luxury: Being stuck next to your drunk uncle at the family reunion while he expounds on the problems of the world, and more specifically the fact that your 30 year old cousins are carrying expensive Coach logo jacquard bags and Tiffany sterling necklaces at their young age, “not like you, you know. You should teach them a thing or two.” And you look down at your Max Mara midi-skirt and Carolina Herrera silk blouse topped with Chanel chain belt and Verdura bracelet and the Hermes Kelly sitting beside you, your politic response is “Everyone has different priorities. I’m sure they’re also saving and looking to the future. I mean, Alcohol is so expensive these days, so if they’re just cutting back on going out …”

Anyone who has more than a passing acquaintance with luxury or fashion will recognize quiet luxury. It doesn’t tell anyone what it is, but it isn’t in plain paper bags, either.

Silent luxury was coined by the NYTimes to refer to post ‘08 recession spending; when shoppers would deliberately request plain white paper bags and arrange private appointments at boutiques. It’s the difference between carrying a Pullman and a Birkin, or a Massai vs a Jypserie.

During those years, Chanel put out bags and slg with Camilla motifs rather than CCs, and the Reissue was more often seen than the Classic Flap. Well heeled shoppers were buying bespoke. Minimal house codes, or more obscure house codes.

Quiet luxury is “if you know, you know,” and silent luxury is “if you know, you still aren’t entirely sure.”

 

[Sparkletastic]

I have a sneaky suspicion we’re moving from a period of “quiet luxury” back into the ‘08-‘12 “Silent Luxury”.

It will be interesting to see how aesthetic and economic demands intersect.

Unless I am doing charitable work, I cannot ever see myself changing how I dress. Both of the trends of flaunting and conspicuously hiding wealth are gauche.

 

[Shelby33]

Unless I am doing charitable work, I cannot ever see myself changing how I dress. Both of the trends of flaunting and conspicuously hiding wealth are gauche.

I love this post.

 

[Vintage Leather]

Unless I am doing charitable work, I cannot ever see myself changing how I dress. Both of the trends of flaunting and conspicuously hiding wealth are gauche.

But how much shopping did you do 16 years ago?

If the US hits 9% unemployment and 2-20% foreclosure rate, are you going to shopping at Chanel or Prada or will you be grateful for what you have?


I grew up in Connecticut in the 80s, in a NYC bedroom community. At that time, if you got mugged or your purse snatched, the attitude was that you asked for it by wearing a Rolex or carrying Chanel. And that feeling of being judged isn’t something I’ve been able to grow away from.


“Loud” luxury is personally repulsive to me, and obvious luxury is gauche. But fortunately, the market tries to appeal to a wide range of consumers.

 

[Shelby33]

But how much shopping did you do 16 years ago?

If the US hits 9% unemployment and 2-20% foreclosure rate, are you going to shopping at Chanel or Prada or will you be grateful for what you have?


I grew up in Connecticut in the 80s, in a NYC bedroom community. At that time, if you got mugged or your purse snatched, the attitude was that you asked for it by wearing a Rolex or carrying Chanel. And that feeling of being judged isn’t something I’ve been able to grow away from.


“Loud” luxury is personally repulsive to me, and obvious luxury is gauche. But fortunately, the market tries to appeal to a wide range of consumers.

Unfortunately I think a lot of people still share that victim blaming attitude.
My problem with quiet luxury are the people trying to be "IYKYK", because I feel like they are trying to be in some exclusive club that most people can't get into.

 

[Sparkletastic]

But how much shopping did you do 16 years ago?

If the US hits 9% unemployment and 2-20% foreclosure rate, are you going to shopping at Chanel or Prada or will you be grateful for what you have?


I grew up in Connecticut in the 80s, in a NYC bedroom community. At that time, if you got mugged or your purse snatched, the attitude was that you asked for it by wearing a Rolex or carrying Chanel. And that feeling of being judged isn’t something I’ve been able to grow away from.


“Loud” luxury is personally repulsive to me, and obvious luxury is gauche. But fortunately, the market tries to appeal to a wide range of consumers.

I know you didn’t intend to offend but your tone is quite off putting.

I did as much shopping then as I do now. And I have always been grateful for the things my hard work has allowed me to enjoy. Being grateful or satisfied with what you have does not preclude a person from enjoying the purchase of something else.

It’s sad that you felt judged and I feel for you not having gotten past that. But that has not been my experience and I am not going to hide myself for the comfort of small minds. Nor am I going to be told that me happily existing with my possessions is “loud” or “repulsive.” 😒You need to learn what nuance is. And there is a great deal of difference between shoving something in someone’s face and simply being as you are with beautiful luxury items in tow.

 

[Sparkletastic]

Unfortunately I think a lot of people still share that victim blaming attitude.
My problem with quiet luxury are the people trying to be "IYKYK", because I feel like they are trying to be in some exclusive club that most people can't get into.

This. I can’t stand any attitude of condescension because someone doesn’t know a brand or can’t afford a particular branded item. I also feel it’s sometimes a swipe at those who prefer more color, detail, embellishment, etc.

Some people simply like the aesthetic which is absolutely wonderful when a person finds their home in fashion. For others, however, it’s coded in prejudice towards certain groups.

 

[limom]

Omfg, shop don’t shop. Loud luxury, quiet luxury. WHO cares?
Fortunately, not everyone has the same tastes. It would all be so boring.

 

[jellyv]

Equating an "elegant" bag preference with a specific lifestyle and economic tier is a leap that makes little sense. Any given look can be enjoyed by a wide swatch of people, at a wide range of prices. And, don't many people like one look this week and another the next? I think so.

 

[880]

Quiet luxury: Being stuck next to your drunk uncle at the family reunion while he expounds on the problems of the world, and more specifically the fact that your 30 year old cousins are carrying expensive Coach logo jacquard bags and Tiffany sterling necklaces at their young age, “not like you, you know. You should teach them a thing or two.” And you look down at your Max Mara midi-skirt and Carolina Herrera silk blouse topped with Chanel chain belt and Verdura bracelet and the Hermes Kelly sitting beside you, your politic response is “Everyone has different priorities. I’m sure they’re also saving and looking to the future. I mean, Alcohol is so expensive these days, so if they’re just cutting back on going out …”

Anyone who has more than a passing acquaintance with luxury or fashion will recognize quiet luxury. It doesn’t tell anyone what it is, but it isn’t in plain paper bags, either.

Silent luxury was coined by the NYTimes to refer to post ‘08 recession spending; when shoppers would deliberately request plain white paper bags and arrange private appointments at boutiques. It’s the difference between carrying a Pullman and a Birkin, or a Massai vs a Jypserie.

During those years, Chanel put out bags and slg with Camilla motifs rather than CCs, and the Reissue was more often seen than the Classic Flap. Well heeled shoppers were buying bespoke. Minimal house codes, or more obscure house codes.

Quiet luxury is “if you know, you know,” and silent luxury is “if you know, you still aren’t entirely sure.”

Love this post. Agree re NYC in the 1980s AND 2008 onward (I was there for both) . I don’t think people back then were elitist or gatekeeping; IYKYK was pretty quiet. IMO and based on my personal recollection and experience only

 

[limom]

Love this post. Agree re NYC in the 1980s AND 2008 onward (I was there for both) . I don’t think people back then were elitist or gatekeeping; IYKYK was pretty quiet. IMO and based on my personal recollection and experience only

Nah, people were elitists. Addresses, where you went to high school, where you vacation were always a big deal.
Eurotrash and all that jazz.
You could only get into certain clubs if you were on the list.
You forgot

 

[880]

You could only get into certain clubs if you were on the list

If you are referencing the eurotrash, you were clearly part of the fun, sexy, louche part of NYC lol @limom

I’m thinking of the boring UES eighties where style and bag meant your mom’s generation aspired to/ wore a straight black full length mink; a buffed black Chanel bag or cerf briefcase/tote; Gucci chunky heels. Maybe an H scarf or tie from H 57th. I didn’t know any mom who wore Hermes Kelly bags (they were both too expensive and too old school) It wasn’t so much elegant as ubiquitous, bc everyone seemed to have the same darn thing). Plus terrible permed hair.

Men wore Barbour, Burberry, and Paul Stuart or a RL Polo blue blazer with, cringe, gold buttons (without irony) Investment bankers female wore pussy bow silk shirts and men, depending on the firm, some wore pink shirts. If you were fancy, dunhill suits (dunhill was a bigger presence on 57 than Hermes) It was only decades later that the male uniform became the more lux LP cashmere Icer and bittersweet brown gucci loafers.

And kids were stuck looking at the preppy handbook; buying LL Bean bluchers (or if artsy, capezio jazz lace ups); and, fiorucci glitter eye shadow And if you were lucky wesring a silver Tiffany kidney bean with feather earrings with your uniform.

The point was, it wasn’t elegant; it was almost a codified by neighborhood. Today, oddly rherd is sameness of premier designer everything, but the prevailing trend is so feminine, girly, and mini , IDK, it doesn’t seem elegant to me either. This is IMO only, as it’s not my aesthetic. YMMV.

Halfway Joking of course @Vintage Leather and @limom