Low-Key Luxury Is Set to Be 2022's Key Aesthetic (2024)
"Luxury" is one of those words that has been grossly overused in the world ofretailover the years, be it fashion, interiors, food or beauty. The irony is that the more the term is saturated, the less itis able torepresentit*true meaning. Yet one of this year's most notabletrends has been described as "low-key luxury," an aesthetic that champions a quieter and more considered approach to style away from shouty logos and fast-moving fads. Is thisthe closest we've ever cometo theoriginal meaning of luxury in themodern fashion market?Quite possibly.
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From the fine fabrics of The Row and Totême's elevated basics to Raey's oversized silhouettes and Jil Sander's muted colour-blocking,ittakes amere glance over the industry'smost popularbrands to see that wardrobe basics with a twist area hot commodity.While the low-key luxury look definitely feels of the moment, it has been around in some form for decades, but the last few years have seen it really gain momentum. Yes, the rise of minimalism has certainly fuelled thedemand for a more stripped-back aesthetic, yet this sartorial shift is so much more and reflects a wider change of consumer mindset.
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"Our customer has always resonated with understated luxury pieces, and although we have seen an increase in demand for more statement fashion pieces recently, our customers continue to engage strongly with knitwear, outerwear and modern wardrobing with a relaxed aesthetic in luxurious fabrications," explains Liane Wiggins, head of womenswear at MATCHESFASHION. "For the S/S 22 season, we have seen a new twist on some of the classic wardrobing styles, with brands such as Sacai, Margiela and A.W.A.K.E. cleverly updating the classic white shirt and crew-neck knit with interesting new details. Our customer is always looking for wearable pieces with interesting details."
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While this trendhas been steadily gaining traction, there's evidence that it's going to have a real moment in the spotlight this year. For example, this season, MATCHESFASHIONS's minimalist in-house brand Raey saw 500% growth, with countless fashion editors spotted in the brand'scosy cashmere coats and sharp tailoring. Leading shopping app Lyst has also released data that showsa rise in search termscentred around this ideaof elevated staples: "As the fashion world awaits for Phoebe Philo's return, we expect to see an increasing demand for minimalistic pieces. Since September, we've seen a rise in searches for monochromatic co-ords (+33%), neutral tones (+22%), white shirts (+41%), leather loafers (+57%) and wide-leg suit trousers (+55%), all reflecting a move towards a more low-key luxury approach."
(Image credit: The Style Stalker)
Of course, we also can't ignorethe growingconcerns around the fashion industry's environmental impact, which hasdrivenmany consumers to focus on a "buy less, buy better" approach to their consumption. This is a trend that is only set to grow, particularly as Gen Z's spending power increases and theirdemand for aless wasteful fashion industry follows suit. In its sustainability report, Edited revealed that, despite their low income, Gen Zers are more willing to investin high-quality, sustainable goods than any other generation, with 54% stating they would pay 10% more for such credentials. It's a sign of good things to come.
(Image credit: NanushkaS/S 22)
So whether you're new to the low-key luxury aestheticor have longchampioned elevated basics, we've put together an edit of pieces that perfectly exemplify 2022's new approach to luxury. Scroll down to seeand shop our edit.
Quiet luxury is all about neutrals and classics. Think basics, but elevated with beautiful fabrics, good tailoring and in muted colorways. Some want to say it started with the 'stealth wealth' of the Succession series, but it's really just a new embracing of quality basics.
But experts say quiet luxury is still alive and well, although the emphasis is now on “old money,” which is still expensive but grounded in a timeless, classic look and lifestyle — with or without the generational wealth.
This shift towards muted tones and quality materials signifies a return to sophistication and refinement, allowing garments to exude elegance in their simplicity. Quiet Luxury has become the epitome of style, focusing on quality craftsmanship and timeless designs rather than fleeting trends.
Simple shapes and low-key colours make for a great hard working and easy-to-wear wardrobe. In what feels like a bit of a reset, the runways championed easy-to-wear pieces in low-key colours, and by that we mean lots of black and cream, putting the emphasis back on luxe fabrics and sharper silhouettes.
What is lowkey? Lowkey is a slang term used on social media posts and comments to express a low-profile emotion or response. Opposite of “highkey”, lowkey is a term used by someone who wants to hide or not draw further attention to how they're feeling about something, someone, or an event.
In the stores, it's a sea of oversize blazers and matching pleated trousers in a strict color palette of black, white, and beige—gray is suddenly an accent color.
By investing in key pieces, such as tailored clothing, luxurious fabrics, statement accessories, and embracing a neutral color palette, you can elevate your everyday style and embrace the essence of quiet luxury. Sign up below to let Wear That guide you on your journey to effortless elegance.
Other terms to describe the same concept include stealth wealth, old money aesthetic, or silent luxury. Although these terms have been equated, there may be differences in usage.
But a key driver here is economic anxiety. It's natural for the rich to tone down in-your-face opulence when times are tough and for brands to redouble their focus on the high end of the market, where consumers are still spending, as more aspirational shoppers pull back.
courtesy photo. For Zmarlak, “quiet luxury” refers to “a woman who has developed a personal style that she believes in and comes from her own confidence. She doesn't look to trends. This means she wants pieces that aren't good for just one season or thrown away after a few times wearing it.
Quiet luxury values discretion and understatement. It avoids overt displays of wealth and branding. Old money style, in contrast, may embrace family heritage and historical associations, showcasing status symbols and traditional markers of wealth.
Looking ahead at the future of luxury markets, McKinsey forecasts a steady 2-4% growth in the luxury sector in 2024. This positive outlook is driven by rising consumer demand and the industry's quick shift towards digital transformation.
Accessible Luxury - regular consumers can afford, but they still provide a level of distinction. Intermediate Luxury Brands - those items that are out of reach for most consumers, providing a barrier to access. Inaccessible Luxury Brands - the highest form of luxury (and wealth) that has total exclusivity.
adjective. If you say that something is low-key, you mean that it is on a small scale rather than involving a lot of activity or being made to seem impressive or important. The wedding will be a very low-key affair. Synonyms: subdued, quiet, restrained, muted More Synonyms of low-key.
Low-key can variously mean “quiet,” “restrained,” “moderate,” or “easygoing.” It can also behave as an adverb meaning “of low or moderate intensity.” Like doing something, but in a “chill” way. For instance: We're having a party at my place but keeping it low-key so the neighbors don't complain.
Introduction: My name is Domingo Moore, I am a attractive, gorgeous, funny, jolly, spotless, nice, fantastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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