Last year, I stood in front of my closet thinking, Why do I have so many clothes and still nothing to wear? Most of it was fast fashion. Cute in the moment, sure…but nothing I wanted to wear twice. That’s when I decided to build a wardrobe that actually lasts.
Fewer pieces.
Better quality.
And yes, old money style on a not-so-old-money budget.
If you’ve been wanting the same, here are 11 fashion old money brands that give quiet luxury vibes — but without the price tag that makes you gasp at checkout. These are the brands I either wear myself or keep bookmarked for when something timeless is calling.
1. Sandro
Sandro is that effortlessly chic French girl in brand form. It started with Evelyne Chetrite, a self-taught designer who stitched retro blazers inspired by old films. Her goal? Clothes that felt passed down, not mass-produced.
Their black knit dress is great when you want something simple but pulled together. I’ve worn it to dinners and felt just right. The stylish denim jacket? Feels more like something you’d throw on for a weekend coffee in Paris than your usual jean jacket.
Knit Black Dress and Denim Jacket
2. Massimo Dutti
Massimo Dutti makes those perfect basics you imagine on stylish women in Mediterranean towns. Cashmere sweaters, wool trousers, crisp linen shirts — all in soft, flattering shapes.
I love their linen blend dress for daytime events (just add simple earrings), and the suede trousers are cozy enough for winter but structured enough to feel polished.
3. J.Crew
J.Crew might feel familiar, but they’ve quietly leveled up. These days, it’s one of the best places to find elevated casualwear. I mean, if it’s good enough for Michelle Obama and Meghan Markle.
Their cashmere T-shirt is one of those pieces you wear once and suddenly want in three colors — soft, flattering, and easy to dress up or down. I’ve also been eyeing their merino wool sweater. It looks like it was made for repeat wear, and somehow still keeps its shape.
4. Sézane
Sézane has that French vintage look down. Everything feels like something you could’ve found at a market in Paris, but better. The founder started out selling secondhand pieces on eBay, and now it’s one of those go-to old money brands for charm that still feels wearable every day.
I’m especially drawn to their ruffled blouses, high-waisted trousers, and those soft leather ballet flats — all pieces you can wear on repeat without them ever feeling tired.
The Donna dress and Fidgi skirt dress are standouts too. Pair either with pointy heels and simple gold hoops, and you’ve got that polished, “I didn’t try too hard” vibe down.
5. ME+EM
ME+EM (short for “Me and More”) is one of those old money brands that makes workwear feel like a treat: polished, timeless, and surprisingly wearable. No wonder it’s a go-to for British royals and quietly powerful women everywhere.
Their tapered trouser and blazers have that rare fit that makes you stand taller (even on Mondays). I also love their box jacket, structured enough for a big meeting, but easy to soften with a crisp white button-down and a pair of flats for dinner after.
6. Reiss
Kate Middleton wore one of their dresses for her engagement photos, and honestly, that says a lot. Reiss pieces always feel clean, tailored, and polished, but never stuffy. It’s that kind of old money brand where everything just fits right.
Their tailoring is super clean, and everything feels a little more polished. Perfect if you want to look put-together without trying too hard. It is for the girls who want to look rich and elegant.
There are some forever luxury pieces to own. Like, the flared trousers and vest shirt is a must-have old money staple piece alongwith the petite denim frock that goes with every summer brunch.
7. Theory
Two guys looked at stiff corporate suits and asked: “What if workwear moved with you?” The answer is stretch crepe trousers that feel like pajamas.
Theory is what happens when tailoring meets comfort — clean silhouettes, fluid fabrics, and smart pieces that move with you. Their designs blend Japanese minimalism with American ease, and somehow manage to feel both crisp and effortless.
This is for the woman who wants her clothes to do the talking. Their cotton chino blazer dress is one of those rare pieces that works from morning meetings to dinner out, without ever feeling fussy. And if you run cold like I do, their short-sleeve shirt dress is perfect for layering when office AC is doing too much.
8. Everlane
Everlane became the poster child for ethical, minimalist fashion. Primarily, it consists of wardrobe staples, such as essential organic cotton tees, alpaca sweaters, linen clothing, cardigans, pants, and loafers. Not ordinary, the classy ones.
Their notch linen shirt is the summer MVP. I usually throw it on loose over jeans when I’m running errands, then tuck it into trousers when I need to look like I tried. It’s one of those pieces that always gets compliments, even after I’ve worn it a dozen times.
The perfectly cut, comfortable linen dress is the one outfit you can rock on Instagram in multiple ways.
9. Reformation
Reformation has that vintage-but-polished feel I always look for. It started in a little LA studio with old fabric scraps and somehow turned into the old money brand every cool girl owns (or wants to).
Reformation is all about selling luxury pieces at fair prices. Their linen dress is what I grab when I want to feel expensive without overthinking it. And the silk dress? It works for date night, a summer wedding, or just a Tuesday when I want iced coffee and a main character moment.
10. Falconeri
A small family mill decided cashmere shouldn’t cost a mortgage payment. Now their buttery-soft sweaters are what European women layer year-round.
They’re based in Italy, and their cashmere is soft, long-lasting, and actually affordable, no wild markups here
I have a thing for skirts that do the heavy lifting, and this one gets it. It’s soft, not fussy, and the color is just bold enough to work with pretty much anything, heels, flats, even sneakers if you’re in the mood. You’ll wear it more than you think. Plus, the linen viscose vest is a high-end article that can be worn with everything in your suitcase
11. Ralph Lauren (Polo Line)
Ralph Lauren started with men’s ties, and somehow created a whole world around classic American style. These are the pieces you’d wear on a summer trip to the Hamptons, or just when you want to pretend you’re going.
The cable-knit polo is your forever go-to summer piece. Wear it with white jeans for the Hamptons or shorts for the golf course. I also love their polo bodice dress, so easy, so timeless.
That’s the list. Eleven brands that look old money without the old money budget. Some are already in your closet. Some are worth bookmarking for that “I want to dress like my best self” moment.
You don’t need a million pieces. Just a few that fit well, feel good, and make you want to wear them again (and again). Quiet luxury isn’t about labels, it’s about knowing what works for you, and not needing to prove anything.
If I missed a favorite of yours, send it my way, I’m always up for a good brand tip.
People Also Ask for Old Money Brands
Is Ralph Lauren considered old money?
Let’s put it this way: Ralph Lauren is very good at giving old money energy, even if it’s technically more new money pretending it summered in Nantucket since 1872. The Polo line in particular? Cable-knit gold.
What does “old money brand” mean?
It means the brand isn’t trying to go viral. It’s just…there. Quiet, polished, and kind of smug in the best way. Old money brands feel like they’ve been around since forever, and they dress you like someone who doesn’t need to prove anything.
How do you dress like old money on a budget?
You start small. A crisp button-down here, a decent pair of loafers there. Stick to neutrals, skip the flashy stuff, and pretend you inherited everything. The trick isn’t spending more, it’s looking like you didn’t just buy it all yesterday. Tailoring helps. So does confidence. And maybe a scarf.
