Are we bored yet? Has quiet luxury made you crave seasoning in fashion in the form of innovative and creative design elements and silhouettes? In 2025 I would love to see a mix of sleek elegant fashion with bold silhouettes for a balance between both worlds.
If you’ve been anywhere near the world of fashion in recent years, you’ve likely heard of “quiet luxury” – a term that’s popped up across runways, social media feeds, and countless articles. But what exactly is it? And more importantly, is it here to stay, or will it fizzle out like other fleeting trends?
Let’s break down the state of quiet luxury, examining its rise, respectability in the fashion industry, and the mixed opinions it’s generated in 2024.
What Is Quiet Luxury?
At its core, quiet luxury is about understated elegance. It’s luxury that whispers rather than shouts. Think minimalist silhouettes, high-quality fabrics, and pieces that ooze sophistication but avoid overt logos and obvious branding. The point is not to flaunt wealth but to showcase refined taste, often through craftsmanship and subtlety. Designers like Loro Piana, The Row, and Bottega Veneta have become synonymous with this concept, leaning into subtlety and elegance instead of the flashy logos seen on streetwear and more ostentatious luxury labels.
Quiet luxury has roots in the classic styles of old-world European fashion, but it’s been redefined in a modern context, largely thanks to the fashion elites on social media. With luxury’s current emphasis on timelessness and craftsmanship, it’s clear why the trend has captured the attention of influencers, celebrities, and fashion insiders alike.
From Instagram to the Red Carpet: A Social Media Success
Social media has played a massive role in the rise of quiet luxury. Over the past few years, Instagram and TikTok have become the frontlines for setting fashion trends, with influencers opting for pieces that express refinement rather than flash. With their large followings we have seen more of the fashion contentious began to adopt quiet luxury as their go-to style. This leads to also question whether luxury is being redefined.
Celebrities, too, are instrumental in being a billboard for this style. Their red carpet appearances are a perfect example of how quiet luxury has infiltrated mainstream fashion. Rather than the ultra-glamour of the 2000s, stars are opting for clean lines, earth tones, and impeccable tailoring. Think sleek, effortlessly chic looks from designers like Celine and Prada. This overtime has gotten monotonous and i am a stanch supporter of a bit of drama and flair on the red carpet. I want to be surprised and experience delight when it comes to an event outfit.
The shift is even evident in high-profile street style moments, with celebrities frequently donning understated yet unmistakably high-end pieces. These moments are widely circulated on social media and have elevated the aesthetic to the point of it becoming aspirational.
The Growing Popularity Among Fashion Audiences
It’s no surprise that quiet luxury resonates with the fashion-conscious who are looking for a more thoughtful, sustainable way to approach style. According to Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, this movement is part of a broader societal shift toward authenticity, quality over quantity, and long-lasting pieces. Quiet luxury speaks to a desire for discretion and an escape from the chaos of fast fashion.
The appeal, however, is not just in the luxury itself. It also addresses growing concerns about sustainability and the need for more timeless pieces in our wardrobes. Consumers are more informed than ever, and they want clothing that doesn’t just look good on the outside but has value in its craftsmanship and production.
Brands that have embraced this subtle, luxury-focused aesthetic are finding it a strong, profitable market. The Row continues to thrive by embracing the quiet luxury ethos, while Loro Piana and Brunello Cucinelli have expanded their customer bases thanks to an increasing demand for discreet opulence.
The Pushback: Is Quiet Luxury Just a Trend?
Not everyone is sold on the notion that quiet luxury is a lasting force in the fashion industry. I am definitely among this squad. Critics argue that this style is just another phase in the ever-evolving world of fashion trends. They point to the cycles of “old money” aesthetics that always seem to resurface when economic times become uncertain, drawing parallels to past “timeless” trends that were short-lived.
Some voices argue that the quiet luxury movement is a reactionary trend, born from a backlash against the “loud” luxury of brands like LV, Gucci and Balenciaga. With the rise of streetwear, and the prominence of logo-heavy brands in the late 2010s, the fashion world seems to be craving a return to subtlety and restraint. But some wonder if the popularity of this aesthetic will wane as people get tired of the visual simplicity or seek out something more daring.
Fashion experts have even questioned whether quiet luxury can hold onto the attention of younger generations who crave novelty and clothing they can use to express their unique style. Fresh & new is the name of the game when it comes to gen Z and younger millennials.
The Verdict: Here to Stay or Just Another Trend?
As with many things in fashion, only time will tell if quiet luxury becomes a permanent fixture or fade out. For now, though, the movement shows no signs of slowing down. With the rise of slow fashion, sustainability, and conscious consumption, the quiet luxury trend seems aligned with the future of fashion. However, its dominance might fluctuate as new consumer priorities emerge.
In the end, quiet luxury speaks to a desire for refinement, but whether it’s here to stay depends on how it evolves. The truth is, fashion has always been cyclical, and quiet luxury may just be the calm before the next storm of loud, bold trends.
What’s clear is that we’re witnessing a significant shift in how we define luxury, one that prizes sophistication and elegance over excess. The question is whether it will remain a hallmark of fashion or eventually be replaced by a new approach to high-end style.
