Quiet luxury has taken over Hollywood. Here's how to pull it off.

From Jennifer Lawrence to the Jenner sisters, celebs are shedding their "more is more" aesthetic in favour of quieter, IYKYK pieces

By Aaron Kok - 16 Aug 2023

Credit: @kyliejenner, @sweetbabyjamie, @kendalljenner/Instagram

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By now, the term "quiet luxury" is anything but foreign to any girl who keeps up with her trends. Earlier this year, the IYKYK-esque trends was propelled into pop culture lexicon by Gwenyth "I wish you well" Paltrow, who appeared in a series of tastefully parred-down outfits when appearing in court.

Then, the phenomenal success of HBO's Succession – which saw characters like power-hungry Shiv Roy and in-for-the-ride Naomi Pierce – had every fashion editor writing endless praise about the character's uniquely defined approaches to quiet luxury. In fact, Succession's approach to quiet luxury answers a myth about quiet luxury. To the untrained observer, the trend would likely signal mental visions of drab colours, cocoon shapes and dusty wool cashmere all day long. With the characters of Succession, they showed that you could interpret the trend in a multitude of ways to represent different style personalities. Quiet luxury isn't all that homogenous after all. On Shiv, it was cashmere suits and logo-less leather bags. On Naomi, it was more downtown by way of all-black fitted twinsets and silk pyjama pants.

Perhaps that's why Hollywood has become so enamoured by the art of quiet luxury dressing. Back from a hiatus, one commentator called it "The Row-ification of Jennifer Lawrence", who shod her past looks of feminine silhouettes and diaphanous dresses in favour of a new wardrobe that includes architectural dresses over pants, plenty of Old Celine and bags from – you guessed it – The Row.

Even the Jenner sisters, who are often known for their va-va-voom looks, started pulling back on the megawatt sequins in favour of quiet silk dresses and classic tan coats. Hollywood has finally caught the quiet luxury bug.

If you're looking to work this trend too, here are 12 ways to start.

Wool linen jacket, price upon request, Loro Piana

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You'll get plenty of mileage out of a classic white blazer. Team it with a pair of matching pants for work, or throw it over jeans and a striped tee for brunch.

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Stretch nappa leather pants, $6,900, Tod's

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It looks like cargo pants from a far, and that's the whole point of quiet luxury. Slip these on to truly appreciate the buttery soft leather.

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Cashmere and mohair tank top, $1,650

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If channeling J.Law's new vibe is your modus operandi, you're on the right track with this Loewe tank top, because she wore this exact piece on the red carpet recently.

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Margaux 17 bag in soft leather, US$5,890 (S$7,840), The Row

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You can't do quiet luxury without something from The Row, so might as well make it their sell-out Margaux bag. Plenty of room, and completely unclockable to those not in the know.

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Ruched satin shirt, US$516.58 (S$688), Nanushka at Net-A-Porter

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Architectural drapes and a looser fit calls for fitted bottoms to balance out your look.

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Fabric slingback ballerinas, $1,100, Roger Vivier

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Channel that "summer in Europe" vibe by slinging on these flats with a cotton sundress.

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Wool and cashmere split skirt, $3,550, Prada

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This is the perfect embodiment of Prada's signature "ugly chic" aesthetic. Here, dowdily chunky knit fabric gets a sexy contrast by way of a thigh-high slit.

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Textured leather shoulder bag, US$1,506.19 (S$2,005), TOTEME at Net-A-Porter

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Whether you're going to brunch, the boardroom or the business lounge at the airport, this contemporary shoulder bag will accompany you and keep all your essentials within reach.

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Knot Mules, $2,550, Bottega Veneta

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The Knot Mule comes in a multitude of colourways and options this season, and many of them bear Bottega Veneta's iconic woven leather. But because you're looking to go down the quiet luxury route, you'll find more magic in the smooth leather pieces.

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Cotton poplin dress, US$1,270 (S$1,691), Proenza Schouler at Net-A-Porter

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If you're like this writer, and you'd race to Instagram to see what Naomi Pierce wore in every episode of Succession, then you'd know that plenty of her "cool girl" looks were courtesy of Proenza Schouler. Plus, the breathable cotton poplin fabric ensures you are kept cool on any sweltering night.

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Draped silk dress, AU$1,295 (S$1,160) Christopher Esber

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Artistically spliced and draped, this column-shaped slip dress is the perfect addition to your event dressing rotation.

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Sequinned top, price upon request, Max Mara

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Lastly, quiet luxury can have its own sparkle too, as exemplified by this camel-tone sequinned tank top.

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