The Age Of 'Quiet' Opulence

Flashy, over-the-top logos and monograms are out. Craftsmanship, heritage and responsible sourcing now matter alot more to uber luxury consumers.

- AJITH SHASHIDHAR

THERE EXISTS a stringent dress etiquette for the British royal family. Members are advised against wearing dark nail paints (only natural shades). Women should not wear miniskirts; carrying a clutch and wearing a hat during a public appearance is a must. The late Queen Elizabeth II preferred wearing bright-coloured outfits (so that she stood out), while the rest of the royal family wore neutrals. Even if any of the royals do wear a bright colour, the norm is to stick to a single colour tone.

The royal wardrobe has a few must-haves too — a Balmoral tweed trench coat (a particular variety of woolen fabric associated with the Balmoral Castle); a fair isle jumper (associated with a knitting style of Shetland Islands, which has been donning the royalty’s wardrobe since the 1920s) and pinstripe suit amongst others. So, what is unique about the British royal family’s dressing style? The emphasis is always on the fabric and the weave and not on brands and logos. Tailored to perfection, it is the garment which is the hero and not so much the designer or the brand.

This style of understated yet classy dressing, passed on from one generation to another (also known as old-money aesthetic), is what the uber rich across the globe are embracing. Referred to as ‘quiet luxury’ in common parlance, the uber rich no longer want to show-off big bold logos. Instead, they choose the bestquality material and prefer to buy from brands, which have a rich heritage and are not flashy or gaudy.