Quiet Luxury Part Deux

Quiet luxury or “stealth wealth” in fashion refers to clothing and accessories that are crafted featuring understated designs, subtle branding, and an unwavering focus on quality. Despite the luxury price point, such pieces are sought after by discerning consumers who value timeless style.

This is still evidently true even as inflation continues to affect consumer spending. People are still willing to either invest in quality items, or will seek out affordable ways to achieve the understated elegance of the quiet luxury aesthetic.

With that in mind, let’s dive into some examples of traditional or “aspirational” quiet luxury brands, as well as explore what “achievable” quiet luxury looks like.

Aspirational Quiet Luxury

Take premium label Vince, who sold their IP to Authentic Brands Group (ABG) in late April 2023 and is known for its understated luxury look. ABG acquired the rights in an effort to further strengthen its position in the luxury market.

Vince leverages various high-quality materials, such as leather and cashmere, and then incorporates clean cuts and styles. Attention to detail is an important hallmark of quiet luxury, including intricate stitching, carefully chosen hardware, or even custom-made fabrics.

Achievable Quiet Luxury

Even fast-fashion brands like SHEIN have an opportunity to make their foray into the quiet luxury space and have done it with the launch of a dedicated landing page called “Quiet Luxury.” The retailer features their take on the quiet luxury look without the quiet luxury prices.

SHEIN offers consumers a wallet-friendly take on quiet luxury by incorporating understated, clean, and minimalist designs, avoiding logos, and occasionally using materials like faux leather.

The Quiet Luxury Capsule Collection

For brands and retailers looking to create a quiet luxury capsule wardrobe, they can easily curate collections with the following types of pieces:

• Well-tailored blazers: A classic blazer in a neutral color such as black, navy, or beige can be dressed up or down and is a staple in any “quiet luxury” wardrobe.
• Simple white button-down shirts: A crisp, white button-down shirt is a versatile piece that can be worn with jeans or dressed up with a skirt or slacks.
• Quality knitwear: Look for soft, high-quality knitwear such as cashmere or merino wool sweaters in neutral colors.
• Classic trousers: Classic, tailored trousers in neutral colors such as black, navy, or beige.
• A little black dress (LBD): A simple, well-tailored black dress can be dressed up or down and is a timeless piece that can be worn for years.
• Quality denim: Denim that features dark or classic light washes and styles such as straight leg, wide leg, or high-waisted cuts.
• Simple, versatile skirts: Select skirts that feature classic silhouettes, such as A-line or pencil skirts in neutral colors.
• Quality footwear: Simple footwear such as a pair of leather boots, elegant pumps and loafers.
• Timeless accessories: Silk scarves, leather handbags, and elegant jewelry are accessories that can be worn for years and add a touch of sophistication to any outfit.

Operationalize Trends with AI

Applying trends to your product catalog is the easiest way to curate trend collections like Quiet Luxury. But without AI, this process is easier said than done.

With AI-powered product attribution from Lily AI, brands and retailers can automatically enrich their entire catalog with not just product details, like embellishments and fit, but also styles, occasions, and, you guessed it–the latest trends. Now with the click of a button, marketers and merchandisers can easily curate product collections for “on trend” marketing campaigns and launch those promotions faster to capitalize on trends earlier.

The Bottom Line: While quiet luxury is still luxury, brands and retailers that target various consumer demographics can also tap into this trend. By incorporating understated design, subtle branding, and attention to detail, brands can appeal to a broad range of consumers who value sophistication, elegance, and quality over showiness.